Injil الإنجيل
In review — pending scholar verification
The scripture revealed to the Prophet Isa (Jesus) according to Islamic belief.
Overview
The Injil (الإِنْجِيل) is the scripture revealed by Allah to the prophet Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary), peace be upon him. In Islamic theology, the Injil confirms the Torah that preceded it, and is in turn confirmed by the Quran. Belief in the Injil as it was originally revealed is a component of iman.
Etymology
The Arabic إِنْجِيل is generally taken by classical philologists as an Arabicized form of the Greek euangelion, meaning "good news" or "glad tidings." Ibn Kathir notes that the book brought good news of mercy, light, and confirmation of the prior covenant with Bani Israel.
Quranic references
The Injil is named in numerous verses:
وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْإِنجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًى وَنُورٌ
- Surah Al-Maidah 5:46 — 'And We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light...'
- Surah Al-Maidah 5:47 — 'And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.'
- Surah Ali Imran 3:3 — 'He has sent down upon you the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.'
- Surah Al-Hadid 57:27 — 'And We gave him the Gospel. And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy...'
The Surah Al-Saff also records Isa's announcement of a final Messenger to come after him.
Hadith and tradition
The Sunnah affirms the recognition of Muhammad ﷺ in the prior scriptures:
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As was asked about the description of the Prophet ﷺ in the Torah. He replied: "By Allah, he is described in the Torah with some of the qualities attributed to him in the Quran..."— Sahih al-Bukhari 2125
Classical scholars including al-Albani graded supporting reports in the Sunan collections, where the qualities of the unlettered Prophet are foretold in both the Torah and the Injil.
Significance
Muslims affirm the original Injil as a true revelation while holding that the canonical Gospels of today represent a later compilation that does not match, word for word, the book given to Isa. The Injil reinforced tawhid, called to salah, fasting and almsgiving, and pointed forward to the final Prophet. Believing in it correctly forms part of the Muslim creed.
See also
References
- Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, commentary on Surah Al-Maidah 5:46-47 and Surah Al-Hadid 57:27.
- Al-Tabari, Jami al-Bayan, exegesis of Surah Ali Imran 3:3.
- Al-Qurtubi, Al-Jami li-Ahkam al-Quran, commentary on Surah Al-Maidah 5:47.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Buyu, hadith 2125 on the description of the Prophet in the prior books.