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What is the message of ‘al Kitab’ – The Book?

Al Kitab (The Bible) literally means ‘The Book’.  The Bible was the first writing in history to be put in book form that we see today.  The Bible is a world classic book that includes in its scope all peoples and nations on earth.  As such, this great book has been translated into almost all languages on earth.  The Bible has had a profound influence on many nations, and is the most widely read English book.  But this book is also a long book, with a complex story.  So many of us do not know or understand the theme of this book.  This article will take one sentence from the book of the Bible to explain the story of this classic book – the work of the Prophet Isa al Masih (PBUH).

The Bible was given to address a real problem in our future.  This problem is explained in Surah Al-Mujadila (Surah 58 – The Pleading Woman) in looking to the coming Day of Judgment

On the Day that God will raise them all up (again) and show them the Truth (and meaning) of their conduct. God has reckoned its (value), though they may have forgotten it, for God is Witness to all things.

Seest thou not that God doth know (all) that is in the heavens and on earth?  There is not a secret consultation between three, but He makes the fourth among them, – Nor between five but He makes the sixth,- nor between fewer nor more, but He is in their midst, wheresoever they be: In the end will He tell them the truth of their conduct, on the Day of Judgment. For God has full knowledge of all things. (Surah al-Mujadila 58:6-7)

Surah al-Mujadila tells us that there is no secret that Allah does not know about us, and he will use this knowledge to Judge us.

Surah al-Qiyamah (Surah 75 – The Resurrection) calls this Day the ‘Resurrection Day’ and also warns how man will be brought forward to answer for his life.

That Day will Man say: “Where is the refuge?”

By no means! No place of safety!

Before thy Lord (alone), that Day will be the place of rest.

That Day will Man be told (all) that he put forward, and all that he put back.

Nay, man will be evidence against himself,

Even though he were to put up his excuses. (Surah al-Qiyamah 75:10-15)

So what do we do if there are intentions and actions in our lives for which we are ashamed?  The Bible’s message is for those who carry this concern.

The Book’s Message

We examined the final week of the prophet Isa al Masih PBUH.  The Injil records that he was crucified on Day 6 – Good Friday, and he was raised back to life the following Sunday.  This was foreseen both in the Taurat and the Psalms and Prophets.  But why did this happen and what does it mean for you and me today?   Here we seek to understand what is offered by the Prophet Isa al Masih, and how we can receive mercy and forgiveness.  This will help us even understand Surah al Fatihah (Surah 1 – The Opener) when it asks Allah to ‘show us the Straight Way’ as well as understanding why ‘Muslim’ means ‘one who submits’, and why religious observances like wudu, zakat and eating halal are good intentions but insufficient in themselves for the Day of Judgment.