The Bible is perhaps one of the most sparingly read books amongst common Muslims. This is because Muslim scholars have generally adopted a very averse attitude towards it. This aversion is mostly based on some narratives attributed to Prophet Muḥammad (sws). However, none of these narratives is sound.[1]

It cannot be denied that adulterations and interpolations have crept into the Bible, and part of it may also have been lost. However, it is still a treasure trove of wisdom and philosophy. Muslims are therefore urged to read the Bible and, in the light of the Qur’ān, benefit from its wisdom and guidance.

In the anthology before you, I have tried to compile Biblical verses which mostly relate to moral advancement and personality development, and which are in conformity with the Qur’ān. Amongst the books of the Old Testament, I have confined myself to the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), the Psalms and the Proverbs. The selections from the New Testament are from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.[2]

All translations are from the copyright-free BBE (Bible in Basic English) version.[3] I have not changed the punctuation. However, I have added titles to the excerpts given.

I must thank Ms Nikhat Sattar for thoroughly proof reading this book.

Shehzad Saleem

Al-Mawrid, Lahore

October, 2015

[1]. For a detailed evaluation of these narratives, see: Shu‘ayb al-Arna’ūṭ, Musnad Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, 2^nd ed., vol. 23 (Beirut: Mu’assasah al-risālah li al-ṭabā‘ah wa al-nashr wa al-tawzī‘, 2008), 349-350.

[2].It is known that the Pentateuch consists of the guidance mostly revealed to Moses (sws), the Psalms to David (sws) and the Proverbs to Solomon (sws) and the Gospels to Jesus (sws).

[3].The BBE was accessed from: http://www.o-bible.com/bbe.html (18 Aug 2015).

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Roots of Wisdom

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