Zabur (Psalm)

About 15 years ago, a wise man asked me to recite six pillars of belief (which are the base of muslim aqidah) when we sat down in a group, learning the beautiful words of Al-Quran. Then I recited the following:-

1. I belief in God (Tawhid, the One-God, there's no God but Allah. Remarks: the first 3 commandment, out of 10 commandment of Moses are these Tawhid too);
2. I belief in the Prophets and Messenger of Allah;
3. I belief in Angel (Ruhul Qudus);
4. I belief in Holy Book
5. I belief in Judgement day; and
6. I belief in Destiny (Qada' & Qadar)

We were asked to explore on the 4th oath, the Holy Books, the only 1 out of 6 above that is visible and touchable. Think carefully, it does not say Al-Quran but Holy Books! What is Holy Book? Yes, Al-Quran is also a Holy Book but "Books", a plural means more than 1 book, isn't it? Inside the Al-Quran, there's an answer, check surah 4 verses 163 (4:163), it said "Indeed, We have revealed to you (O Muhammad), as We revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron and Solomon, and to David, We gave the book of Psalms (Zabur). Please also refer to many more quoted verses, 4:136, 2:177, 2:285 and 2:98. Al-Baqarah 2:4 specially dealt with the belief in Holy Books, which were given before Al-Quran for those who belief in the Judgement Day. These Books are, Torah (Tawrat), Zabur (Psalms), Gospel (Injil) and Al-Quran. For those who has more time, it's worth to check inside the Scrolls of Abraham (Suhuf Ibrahim) too.

Beginning of 2010 ramadhan, I had an opportunity to read and understand the beautiful prayers and collection of songs of 150 Psalms, which partially were written down by David (Nabi Daud), himself and many others by the learned man of his time, like Antioch. The book mostly called people to praise the God and to go back to Allah whenever you are too lost with worldly life and losing sense from the straight path. From David's journey to bring God's religions, he faces a lot of challenges and obstacles, eg. he had to face his son, Absolem who rebelled against him for the throne. His grief after Absolem died was recorded in 1 of his psalm. Notwithstanding that sadness, his other son, Solomon became a great King of Israel after him of the glory can be read from the Quran.

The Psalm, 37, verses 29 and Al-Quran 21:105 had a parallel verse of "And we have already written in the book of Psalms after the (previous) mentioned that the land (of paradise) is inherited by my righteous servants". It's worth to note down that both the prophets, Adam & Moses also contributed to the Psalms writing.

My heart almost stop beating when I reach Psalm 119 with these words as sub-head "Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, He, Vaum Zain, Cheth, Teth, Jod, Caph, Lamed, Mem, Nun, Samech, Ain, Pe, Tzaddi, Koph, Resh, Schin, Tau". I saw kalam Allah and recalled the story of Prophet Muhammad, when Gibrael revealed the 1st verse for him to recite, 'Iqra' in Hira' Cave. MasyaAllah, so true that we, who, belief in You, Allah, unconditionally have our own obligations and duties to read and understand the unique way of Allah's teaching as nothing comes easy in life. Allah will always wait for us, despite our ignorance and no matter how far we had gone from his reach, committing sin endlessly. He, always forgive you sincerely. And, who are we to judge others when we cant even see our own reflection?

Jesus, who was sent to the world to bring people of the book to the right way, quoted similar words of teaching with Muhammand, pbuh, for example: "Thou shall not killed, commit adultery, those men who steal will be cut his hand..etc.etc." You obviously can see, he meant to discipline his people with Hudud Law too". He never claim that he is son of God, and not even a verse can proof that he was. His 12 apostles who fought along with him during his life received the same punishments, mostly were crucified. How could a christian can have faith in trinity when they also believe in the oath of ten commandment? What the churches did was amending the law of Allah.

The Al-Quran are a detailed book to address all issues for whoever wishes to adopt Islam as ad-deen, a way of life. Hold on and bring truly to our heart of the 5 pillars of Islam, Syahadah, Prayers, Fasting, Zakat and Haj.

Qualification: This note is written based on my personal research and my own understanding in order to strengthen my faith. It shall not be misinterpreted and/or quoted otherwise.