Is the Quran the Final Book Sent to Mankind?

Muslims believe that the Quran, as revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is the final and ultimate message from God to mankind. This belief is rooted in various Quranic verses that highlight the importance and unparalleled nature of the Quran as divine scripture. Does the Quran hold this position, or are there elements from previous scriptures that remain relevant? Let's explore this question in detail, examining the divine commandments, the unchangeable nature of the Quran, and its role as a filter for previous religious messages.

Divine Command: Embrace Every Scripture Before It

The Quran begins with a command to believe in every scripture that was sent before it, pointing out these scriptures were all sent from the same God. This unity of origin is emphasized to signify the consistency in divine guidance throughout history (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:136).

The importance of abiding by the latest scripture, the Quran, is also highlighted. This is not because earlier scriptures were fraudulent, but because they had been altered or corrupted over time by human additions or deletions based on human reasoning (Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62:2).

The Quran as the Final and Unchangeable Revelation

The Quran is described as the latest scripture in human history and remains unchanged in its original form (Surah Al-Hajj 22:52). It stands as a filter, clarifying misunderstandings and setting straight the messages of previous religions and scriptures.

The Quran challenges people to believe in it as the ultimate and final message from God. This assertion is absolute and without any historical context, emphasizing the comprehensive and timeless nature of its speech (Surah Al-Hijr 15:9)

Challenges to the Skeptical and Superficial Observation

People who witness the miracles of prophets like Jesus and Moses might be inclined to regard them as divine. However, the Quran clarifies that these miracles were manifestations of God's will, not indicators of divinity in the prophets themselves. These events merely served as tests to prove God's message (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:72).

Despite the overwhelming evidence in the previous scriptures, disbelief and false teachings have persisted throughout history. The Quran challenges these false teachings and attests to the truth of its message, not as a mere story or abstract enlightenment, but as a concrete reality meant to awaken and clarify the path to salvation (Surah Al-A'raf 7:183).

Significance of the Final Revelation and Its Role in Modern Times

The Quran emphasizes that the guidance provided in the final scripture is irrefutable and its messages are timeless. Even as humanity makes strides in technology and intelligence, the importance of divine guidance remains unchallenged (Surah Yaa-Seen 41:53).

Just as the same God has guided humanity in the past through various means, He has now sent down the final command through Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This ensures that people are constantly reminded of the existence of God and the significance of adhering to His message, not just for spiritual enlightenment but also for practical guidance in daily life (Surah Al-Ankaaboot 29:45).

The assertion of the Quran as the ultimate and final message also underscores its importance in understanding the complexities of faith and life. Just as one must strive to reach the peaks of intellectual and scientific advancements to truly comprehend the Quran, the same applies to the spiritual journey of humanity, which can only be fulfilled by embracing and understanding the guidance of the final and unalterable book (Surah Al-Fath 48:2).

According to the Quran, the truth and finality of its message are beyond any period of time. Muslims therefore believe that no other book or form of spiritual guidance can compete with what is contained within the Quran (Surah Al-Imran 3:7).

Thus, the Quran's position as the final message from God is not just a theological belief but a profound statement about the human condition and the eternal nature of divine guidance.

Conclusion

The Quran stands as a testament to the unchanging truth and guidance provided by God. As humanity progresses, the relevance of this message remains undiminished, offering a clear and transformative path to true understanding and salvation.