What do Muslims believe about the prophets and the holy books?
The nature and importance of Risalah (prophethood) and the holy books (Kutub), including the Qur'an, Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and Sahifah.
A focused answer on Risalah and the holy books for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering prophethood, the roles of the prophets, and the Qur'an, Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and Sahifah.
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What this dot point is asking
Edexcel wants you to explain the nature and importance of Risalah (prophethood) for Muslims, what the roles of the prophets teach, illustrated by named prophets, and the nature, significance and purpose of the holy books (Kutub): the Qur'an, Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and Sahifah. These beliefs are about how Allah guides humanity through messengers and revealed scriptures.
Risalah: prophethood
Risalah is one of the foundations of Muslim belief: the conviction that Allah communicates with humanity through chosen messengers.
Muslims believe Allah has sent many prophets throughout history, traditionally said to number many thousands, to every people. The same core message runs through them all: worship the one God and live righteously. The Qur'an names several, and their lives teach particular lessons. Adam was the first human and first prophet. Ibrahim (Abraham) is honoured for his complete submission to Allah, willing even to sacrifice his son, and is linked to the Ka'bah and to Hajj. Isma'il helped build the Ka'bah with Ibrahim. Musa (Moses) received the Tawrat and led his people. Dawud (David) received the Zabur. Isa (Jesus) received the Injil and is honoured as a great prophet, though Muslims do not regard him as the Son of God. Muhammad is the final prophet, whose example (the Sunnah) Muslims follow.
The holy books (Kutub)
Belief in the books is one of the Six Beliefs, and the Qur'an itself instructs Muslims to believe in "that which was revealed to us and... to Ibrahim, Isma'il... Musa and Isa" (Surah 2:136). Muslims honour the earlier scriptures because they came from Allah, but they believe that over time the Tawrat, Zabur and Injil were changed or lost in their original form, while the Qur'an has been kept exactly as revealed. The references in the Qur'an to the Torah (Surah 5:43 to 48), the Psalms (Surah 4:163) and the Gospel (Surah 57:27) show this respect for the earlier books.
The Qur'an and why these beliefs matter
The Qur'an holds a unique place. Muslims believe it is the literal word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad over about 23 years through the angel Jibril, beginning at the Night of Power. It is the highest authority in Islam, to be recited, respected and obeyed, and Muslims believe it is unchanged since revelation. Many Muslims memorise large parts or all of it (becoming a hafiz), handle it with reverence, and recite it in Arabic in prayer and study.
These beliefs matter because they explain how Muslims receive Allah's guidance: through prophets (Risalah) and the books (Kutub) they brought, culminating in Muhammad and the Qur'an. For the exam, link Risalah and the books to Tawhid (the prophets all teach the oneness of Allah) and to practices (the Qur'an and the Sunnah guide worship and law). A strong Evaluate answer weighs whether the Qur'an is the only book Muslims need, noting that they believe in all the books and also follow the Sunnah and Hadith of Muhammad, so the Qur'an is supreme but not the sole source of guidance.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 1RA0 20193 marksOutline three Muslim holy books.Show worked answer →
A 3-mark Outline question (AO1): three accurate, distinct books. The holy books (Kutub) are: the Qur'an (revealed to Muhammad); the Tawrat (Torah, revealed to Musa); the Zabur (Psalms, revealed to Dawud); the Injil (Gospel, revealed to Isa); and the Sahifah (Scrolls, of Ibrahim). Name any three. One mark each, no development needed.
Edexcel 1RA0 20184 marksExplain two reasons why prophethood (Risalah) is important for Muslims.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark Explain question (AO1): two developed reasons. Reason one: prophets are chosen by Allah to deliver his message and guidance to humanity, so without them people would not know how Allah wants them to live. Reason two: the prophets give examples to follow, and Muhammad is the final prophet (the "Seal of the Prophets") through whom the Qur'an was revealed. Two marks for each developed point.
Edexcel 1RA0 20225 marksExplain two Muslim beliefs about the Qur'an. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.Show worked answer →
A 5-mark Explain question (AO1): two developed beliefs plus a source. Belief one: the Qur'an is the literal word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibril, so it is the highest authority in Islam. Belief two: it is to be respected, recited and obeyed, and is unchanged since revelation. Support with a source: Surah 2:136 (belief in what was revealed), or a relevant Qur'anic verse. The accurate source secures the fifth mark.
Edexcel 1RA0 202112 marks"The Qur'an is the only holy book Muslims need." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to Muslim teaching, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The 12-mark Evaluate question (AO2), plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: the Qur'an is the final, complete and unchanged word of Allah, confirming and correcting the earlier books, so Muslims need only the Qur'an for guidance. Arguments for a different view: Muslims believe in all the holy books (Tawrat, Zabur, Injil, Sahifah) as revelations from Allah and respect them, and the Sunnah and Hadith of Muhammad also guide Muslims, so the Qur'an is supreme but not the only source. Use specialist terms (Kutub, Qur'an, Sunnah, Hadith). Reach a justified conclusion weighing the sufficiency of the Qur'an against the place of the other books and the Sunnah. The best answers sustain a line of reasoning.
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Sources & how we know this
- Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies A (1RA0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)