The Scrolls of Moses (Suhuf Musa, Arabic: صُحُفِ مُوسَى) represent one of the earliest and most significant divine revelations (Kutub ul-Lah) acknowledged in Islamic theology. They are considered a set of initial writings, commandments, and wisdom given to the great Prophet Musa (Moses), peace be upon him, before the complete revelation of the Tawrat (Torah) on the Tablets (Alwah).
For Muslims, belief in all the Books of Allah, which includes the Suhuf Musa, is the third of the Six Pillars of Faith (Arkan al-Iman). The mention of these Scrolls in the Quran establishes a clear continuity in the prophetic tradition, linking the final Messenger, Prophet Muhammad, back to the fundamental monotheistic messages received by Moses.
This extremely detailed guide explores the significance, known content, and theological position of the Scrolls of Moses within the context of Islamic belief, providing a comprehensive resource optimized for high search ranking.
The Revelation of the Suhuf
The existence of the Scrolls of Moses is confirmed directly in the Quran, often mentioned alongside the Scrolls of Abraham (Suhuf Ibrahim). This simultaneous mention highlights their canonical status as authentic, primordial revelations from Allah, preceding the Tawrat.
Explicit Mention in the Quran
The most direct reference to the Scrolls of Moses and Abraham comes in Surah An-Najm, establishing them within the context of an eternal, unchanging truth shared by all prophets.
Arabic: أَمْ لَمْ يُنَبَّأْ بِمَا فِي صُحُفِ مُوسَى * وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ الَّذِي وَفَّى
Transliteration: Am lam yunabba bi-ma fi suhufi Musa. Wa Ibrahima alladhi waffa.
English Translation: “Or has he not been informed of what was in the scrolls of Moses, and [the scrolls of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations]?” – (Quran, Surah An-Najm, 53:36-37)
The Quran explicitly confirms the Scrolls of Moses alongside those of Abraham, establishing their shared status as authentic, primordial revelations. This mention places the Scrolls within the universal tradition of prophetic guidance, demonstrating that the eternal truth was available to earlier communities. The verse highlights Prophet Abraham as the one “who fulfilled [his obligations],” underscoring the purity of the message he received.
Mention in Surah Al-Ala
The Quran confirms that the essential, concise messages concerning purification, remembrance, and the afterlife are rooted in these original revelations.
Arabic: إِنَّ هَذَا لَفِي الصُّحُفِ الْأُولَى * صُحُفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى
Transliteration: Inna hadha lafi al-suhufi al-ula. Suhufi Ibrahima wa Musa.
English Translation: “Indeed, this is in the former scriptures, the scriptures of Abraham and Moses.” – (Quran, Surah Al-Ala, 87:18-19)
This powerful theological assertion demonstrates that the fundamental teachings of the Quran are not novel but are a divinely authorized reaffirmation of the faith revealed to the earliest messengers.
Relationship between Suhuf Musa and Al-Tawrat
In Islamic scholarship, the Suhuf Musa are generally understood to be distinct from, and preceding, the major revelation of the Tawrat (Torah).
- Suhuf Musa: Believed to be earlier, concise instructions or moral wisdom, possibly revealed to Prophet Musa before the Exodus or early in his mission.
- Al-Tawrat: Revealed later, written on the Tablets (Alwah), and contained a full, detailed legal code (Sharia) for the Children of Israel.
The Suhuf can thus be viewed as the preliminary wisdom teachings that were later expanded into the comprehensive law of the Tawrat.
The Tablets (Alwah) of the Tawrat
The Quran details the later, more complete revelation of the Tawrat on the Tablets, demonstrating the progressive nature of the scripture given to Moses.
Arabic: وَكَتَبْنَا لَهُ فِي الْأَلْوَاحِ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَّوْعِظَةً وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ
Transliteration: Wa katabna lahu fi al-alwahi min kulli shayin mawidhatan wa tafsilan li-kulli shayin.
English Translation: “And We wrote for him upon the tablets [some instruction] of everything – as instruction and explanation for all things.” – (Quran, Surah Al-A’raf, 7:145, partial)
The Scrolls of Moses were followed by the comprehensive revelation of the Tawrat (Torah), which was inscribed on the Alwah (Tablets) by Allah for Prophet Musa. This later scripture provided a detailed legal code and complete guidance for the Children of Israel, demonstrating the progressive nature of divine law from general wisdom to specific commands. The Tablets contained “instruction and explanation for all things,” serving as the definitive law of the time.
The Known Content of the Scrolls
Similar to the Scrolls of Abraham, the Quran itself clarifies the central ethical and theological themes contained within the Suhuf Musa. These themes represent the constants of the Abrahamic tradition.
The Message
The verses that immediately follow the mention of the Scrolls in Surah An-Najm (53:38-42) are understood to summarize the common denominator of the revelations given to both Moses and Abraham. These verses focus on principles of justice and accountability.
Arabic: أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى * وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَى * وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُ سَوْفَ يُرَى * ثُمَّ يُجْزَاهُ الْجَزَاءَ الْأَوْفَى * وَأَنَّ إِلَى رَبِّكَ الْمُنتَهَى *
Transliteration: Alla taziru waziratun wizra ukhra. Wa an laysa lil-insani illa ma sa’a. Wa anna sa’yahu sawfa yura. Thumma yujzahu al-jaza al-awfa. Wa anna ila rabbika al-muntaha.
English Translation: “That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another, and that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives, and that his effort is going to be seen – then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense – and that to your Lord is the final [all] going.” – (Quran, Surah An-Najm, 53:38-42)
These verses emphasize individual responsibility and the certainty of divine judgment, affirming that effort and intention are rewarded justly.
Themes from Surah Al-Ala
The concluding verses of Surah Al-Ala, which explicitly mention the Suhuf of Moses and Abraham, highlight core acts of faith that were commanded in the earliest revelations:
- Purification (Tazkiyah): Success comes to the one who purifies himself.
- Remembrance (Dhikr): Remembrance of the name of his Lord and prayer.
- Prioritization: Warning against preferring the worldly life (Dunya) over the eternal life (Akhirah).
Arabic: قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّى * وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّى * بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا * وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَى *
Transliteration: Qad aflaha man tazakka. Wa dhakara isma rabbihi fasalla. Bal tu’thiruna al-hayata al-dunya. Wa al-akhiratu khayrun wa abqa.
English Translation: “Succession is certainly for he who purifies himself, and remembers the name of his Lord and prays. But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more lasting.” – (Quran, Surah Al-Ala, 87:14-17)
The subsequent verses confirm that this entire message of self-purification and prioritizing the eternal life was present in the Scrolls of Moses and Abraham.
The Theological Significance of Suhuf Musa
The Scrolls of Moses hold a crucial place in Islamic theology, affirming the consistency of God’s message:
A. The Consistency of Guidance
The Suhuf Musa confirm that the fundamental moral code i.e. focused on purification and accountability, preceded the detailed legal structure of the Tawrat. This shows that the basic requirements for salvation have always been the same, centering on Tauhid (monotheism) and righteous conduct.
B. Continuity of Revelation
Mentioning the Suhuf Musa as part of the Kutub ul-Lah reinforces the belief that all prophets, from the earliest to the last, received divine guidance. The continuity of revelation is key to understanding why Islam accepts and honors all preceding prophets.
C. Confirmation of the Quran
By stating that the core ethical teachings are found in these earlier scrolls, the Quran validates its own message, showing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the one who restores and finalizes the original, universal truth.
Conclusion
The Scrolls of Moses (Suhuf Musa) are a testament to the fact that divine communication is ancient and consistent. They represent the earliest written guidance given to one of the most prominent prophets, focusing on the core principles of personal effort, purification, and the ultimate return to Allah. While the physical scrolls are not extant, their fundamental truths are eternally preserved and confirmed within the Holy Quran, making belief in them an essential component of Islamic faith.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the precise difference between Suhuf Musa and Al-Tawrat (Torah)?
The Suhuf Musa are understood to be the earlier, concise scrolls or writings containing preliminary moral and ethical guidance given to Prophet Musa. The Al-Tawrat is the later, complete, and detailed legal revelation inscribed on the Tablets (Alwah) on Mount Sinai, containing the comprehensive law (Sharia) for the Children of Israel. The Suhuf are seen as a precursor to the fully developed Tawrat.
Are the Suhuf Musa still preserved today?
No, the original, physical text of the Suhuf Musa is not preserved in Islamic or any other widely recognized literature today. Muslims believe that the essential, core truths and wisdom contained within these scrolls are eternally preserved and reaffirmed in the final revelation, the Holy Quran.
Why are the Scrolls of Moses mentioned with the Scrolls of Abraham?
The Scrolls of Moses and Abraham are grouped together in the Quran (e.g., Surah Al-Ala, 87:18-19) because they represent the two most ancient, foundational scriptures given to the earliest great prophets of the Abrahamic tradition. This grouping emphasizes the continuity and shared fundamental truth of the monotheistic message that preceded the major books.
What are the known key themes of the Suhuf Musa?
The known themes, as reflected in the Quran (specifically Surah An-Najm, 53:38-42, and Surah Al-Ala), focus on universal moral and theological principles: individual accountability (no soul bears the burden of another), the importance of personal effort (man will only receive what he strives for), and the necessity of purification and remembrance of God.
Why must Muslims believe in the Suhuf Musa?
Belief in the Suhuf Musa is mandatory because it falls under the Third Pillar of Faith (Belief in His Books, Kutub ul-Lah), which requires accepting all revelations from Allah. This belief confirms the divine origin of the prophetic mission of Musa and affirms the consistency of God’s message across history.
Do the Suhuf Musa contain the Ten Commandments?
Scholars believe that the Ten Commandments were most likely part of the Tawrat (Torah), which was the complete legal text written on the Tablets (Alwah). While the Suhuf Musa contained fundamental commandments and wisdom, the detailed legal framework, including the Ten Commandments, is attributed to the later, full revelation of the Tawrat.
