The Torah in Islam: How Muslims Perceive the Sacred Script and Its Enduring Role

For Muslims worldwide, the Torah holds a revered but distinct place within the broader tapestry of divine revelation. While Islam’s central scripture is the Qur’an, the Torah—known in Arabic as *Al-Tawrat*— occupies a significant position as one of the “Fundamental Scriptures” revealed to prophets before Muhammad. Understanding what Muslims believe about the Torah reveals a nuanced view rooted in continuity, respect, and theological differentiation.

Far from mere historical curiosity, the Torah shapes Islamic ethics, law, and spiritual understanding, serving as both a source of guidance and a benchmark against which later revelation is assessed.

The Quran explicitly acknowledges the Torah as legitimate divine revelation, particularly emphasizing its role in conveying God’s law to the Children of Israel. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:63) declares: “O Children of Israel, remember what was revealed to you (the Torah), and let not your inclination distort what was revealed.” This verse highlights Muhammad’s belief that the Torah contains truth, despite subsequent interpretations and claimed distortions over time.

Muslims recognize Moses (*Musa*) as one of Islam’s prophetic messengers, whose message included commandments and moral teachings later expanded in the Torah. The Five Books—comprising Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua—are understood not only as historical narrative but as a covenant-based legal and spiritual framework that guided early Islamic communities in their understanding of justice, ritual purity, and social responsibility.

The Torah’s teachings deeply influence core Islamic principles.

Its emphasis on monotheism (*tawhid*), ethical conduct, and accountability in the afterlife resonates throughout Islamic doctrine. For instance, the prohibition of altering or forgetting parts of Scripture—mentioned in Qur’anic verses like 2 153—reinforces the Islamic view that divine revelation must remain intact and free from corruption. This conviction leads Muslims to treat earlier revelations as blessed precedents, even while affirming the finality and completeness of the Qur’an.

As scholars note, “The Torah is a bridge connecting earlier prophets to Muhammad, reminding believers of God’s enduring guidance before the Qur’an’s revelation.”

While Islam affirms the Torah’s sanctity, key theological distinctions separate its understanding from Judaism and Christianity. Unlike the Abrahamic consensus in many faiths, Muslims interpret the Torah through a lens of prophetic continuity rather than literal preservation. While the original text is believed to have been divinely protected, its reception in Jewish tradition has diverged across centuries.

Most Muslims accept that the Torah as transmitted includes human interpretation—some variations and commentaries in rabbinic sources—yet reject its current form as complete. The *Tawrat* is thus viewed as a formative but incomplete chapter in God’s progressive revelation. This perspective underscores Islam’s emphasis on the Qur’an as the “last and final word,” without negating the Torah’s earlier sanctity.

One notable example of the Torah’s relevance lies in Islamic jurisprudence (*fiqh*). Principles such as restitution for damages, family law ethics, and societal equity echo commands found in the Torah’s legal codes. For instance, the Qur’an affirms judgments of fairness in disputes, reflecting the Torah’s command to “do no injustice in judgment” (Deuteronomy 16:20).

Yet Islamic scholars developing *sharia* operated within a broader scriptural consciousness, recognizing biblical precedents while shaping them through prophetic context and communal experience.

Further, devotional practice among many Muslims reflects awareness of the Torah’s presence in Islamic tradition. Recitation of verses praising Moses appears in prayers and religious poetry, and Islamic educational curricula often introduce early prophetic stories—including those centered on Moses and the Israelites—before describing the Qur’an’s full authority.

These lessons cultivate a historical humility, acknowledging shared roots while affirming Islam’s unique culmination in Muhammad’s message.

Contemporary interfaith dialogue frequently engages the Torah’s role in Islamic thought, highlighting both common ground and respectful boundaries. Scholarly conferences and educational programs emphasize that reverence for the Torah strengthens mutual understanding, even amid denominational differences.

“Dialogue begins by recognizing that Muslims revere what we call the Torah not as a rival text, but as a shared legacy of divine guidance,” explains Dr. Amina al-Hussaini, a scholar of Islamic studies. “Our respect for the past enriches present conversations about ethics, mercy, and justice.”

In daily life, the Torah’s teachings manifest subtly in cultural and moral choices.

Observance of the Sabbath, dietary laws, and prohibitions against usury (*riba*) are arguably traces of earlier revelations—even if refined under Islamic law. Major Islamic festivals like Ramadan resonate with themes of self-discipline and compassion found in the Torah’s ethical exhortations. Moreover, Islamic teachings on mercy, justice, and dignity align with overarching principles countless generations interpreted through biblical foundations, even when expressed in uniquely Islamic frameworks.

Despite theological boundaries, the Quran affirms the Torah’s legitimacy as a vehicle of divine wisdom. Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:43) invites reflection on “the Book which you cherish,” a phrase interpreted to include earlier scriptures alongside the Qur’an. This openness fosters appreciation for the Torah’s enduring spiritual significance, not as an endpoint but as a vital link in a continuous chain of revelation.

For Muslims, the Torah is not optional history—it is a sacred witness to God’s unwavering mercy and legal fidelity across time.

In essence, the Torah in Islam represents more than an ancient text; it is a living element of prophetic continuity, ethical foundation, and interreligious respect. Through deliberate engagement, Muslims honor their spiritual lineage while reinforcing the Qur’an’s centrality.

By understanding this delicate balance, one gains insight into how reverence for past scriptures shapes both individual faith and communal identity—grounding belief in a legacy of divine guidance that spans millennia.

This synthesis of belief, history, and practice reveals the Torah not merely as a distant relic, but as a vital pillar in Islam’s theological architecture. It challenges simplistic perceptions and invites deeper appreciation of how sacred texts evolve within faith traditions—each shaping, yet distinct, in their mission to lead humanity toward righteousness.

The Torah, revered within Islam, thus remains not just a relic of the past, but a quiet still voice echoing across generations of divine wisdom.