.
III.Although, observance of the ordinances of the Jewish and
Christian dispensations, as inculcated in the Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments, is enjoined in the Corân upon Jews and Christians only, yet all
faithful Mahometans are called upon equally with them to believe in those
Scriptures;Arts. XXIV., XXVI., LIX., LXVI., LXXXI., CI., CII., CIII., and
CXVIII. The favour of God and a great reward are promised to such as believe
in the complete revelation of His will, including the writings of the
Jewish and Christian prophets and apostles (Arts. XC. and CII.). Those who
disbelieve any part thereof are declared to be in "a wide
error," Art. CI.; they are the real infidels ("Kâfirs
"), for whom God hath prepared an ignominious punishment, Arts. CII. and XC.
It does not therefore appear on what grounds the Jewish and Christian
Scriptures can be neglected, much less cast aside and rejected, by the true
Mussulman but (on the showing of the Corân itself) at the peril of his safety.
Let it be carefully noted that the sacred books, the belief in which is
required of all Mussulmans, are those same Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments which were universally acknowledged by the Jews and Christians of
Mahomet's day to be divinely inspired. It could have been no different
Tourât or Gospel to