Taḥrīf (تحريف)
Definition and Etymology
Taḥrīf (تحريف) is an Arabic term derived from the root word “حَرَفَ” (ḥarafa), which means ’to distort’ or ’to alter’. In Islamic theological discourse, “Taḥrīf” is used to denote the alleged corruption or alteration of the texts of the Jewish and Christian scriptures.
Arabic and Turkish Translations
- Arabic: تحريف
- Turkish: Tahrif
Significance in Islam
Taḥrīf is a term frequently mentioned by Islamic scholars to argue that the original revelations given to the prophets of Judaism and Christianity have been distorted over time. This concept is used to explain discrepancies between the Hebrew Bible, the Christian New Testament, and the Qur’anic text.
Qur’anic References
The Qur’an mentions that earlier revelations - the Torah (Tawrat) and the Gospel (Injil) - were given by Allah but later were subjected to human alterations. Verses such as Surah Al-Baqarah (2:79) and Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:13) speak about these alterations, adding to the concept of Taḥrīf.
Theological Underpinnings
The belief in Taḥrīf underlines the Islamic view that while the original texts of Judaism and Christianity were divine, the versions available at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were no longer pure. This forms part of the justification for why a new revelation (the Qur’an) was needed, being seen as a correct and final testament uncorrupted by human alterations.
Historical Context
Historically, Muslim scholars have divided Taḥrīf into several categories:
- Taḥrīf al-Lafẓ (Textual Distortion): Changes in the actual text, such as additions, deletions, or alterations.
- Taḥrīf al-Ma’nā (Meaning Distortion): Incorrect interpretations or explanations that distort the true meaning of the text.
Takeaways and Conclusion
- Taḥrīf is an essential concept in Islamic theology used to understand the Islamic position on earlier scriptures.
- The term denotes both textual and interpretative distortions.
- The belief in Taḥrīf underscores the necessity and purity of the Qur’anic revelation according to Islamic theology.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Bible in Arabic: The Scriptures of the ‘People of the Book’ in the Language of Islam” by Sidney H. Griffith
- “The Qur’an and its Biblical Subtext” by Gabriel Said Reynolds
- “Judaism: Revelation and Traditions” by Jane S. Gerber
- “Christianity in the Light of Science: Critically Examining the World’s Largest Religion” by John W. Loftus
By understanding Taḥrīf, we gain deeper insight into the theological and historical perspectives that shape Muslim-Christian and Muslim-Jewish relations. This equips us with a broader context for interfaith dialogues and understanding the significance of scriptural purity in Islam.
