I.—Mahomet very often, in the Corân, refers to those who held the
Scriptures in their hands as witnesses in favour of his mission. It is alleged
that their Divine books contained evidence in his favour, that their contents
corresponded with the Corân, that the honest and enlightened interpreters of
their prophecies recognized him and his Revelation, and rejoiced in the
recognition.—See Arts. VII., XIII., XV., XXXV., XXXIX., XLV., LIV., LVI., LVII.,
LXI., LXV., LXXV., and LXXXIV., &c.
II.—The necessity of following, with religious care, the precepts of the
whole previous Scripture is solemnly inculcated upon the Jews and Christians and
a belief in the whole preceding Scripture is required from all Mussulmans
as an indispensable article of faith.
A reward is promised to those who "hold fast the Book";(
)which the
context shows to be the Old Testament—Art. LXIV.
"Those who reject the book, and that which We have sent Our Messengers
with, they shall know;—when the collars shall be on their necks, and the
chains by which they shall be dragged into Hell ;—then they shall be burned in
the Fire "; Art. XXVI.
