Assalamu Alaikum
This is a quick response to Christians who often dishonestly misuse Surah 5:68 to show the Qur’an instructs them to observe or upload by the GOSPELS they have in their possession. Firstly, it must be understood by the Christians that we Muslims believe the Torah and Gospel were revelations given to both Moses and Jesus Pbut.
He has sent down upon you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel (Surah 3:3)
Let us first read the verse in question before we dismantle their claim.
Say, "O People of the Scripture, you are [standing] on nothing until you uphold [the law of] the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord [i.e., the Qur’an]." And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. So do not grieve over the disbelieving people (Surah 5:68)
Tafsir Ibn Kathir:
say:
Allah says: O
Muhammad, say,
يَا
أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَسْتُمْ عَلَى شَيْءٍ
O People of
the Scripture! You have nothing...,
meaning no
real religion,
حَتَّىَ
تُقِيمُواْ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالاِنجِيلَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ
till you act
according to the Tawrah, the Injil, and what has (now) been sent down to you
from your Lord (the Qur'an)."
until you adhere to and implement the Tawrah and the Injil. That is, until you believe in all the Books that you have that Allah revealed to the Prophets. These Books command following Muhammad and believing in his prophecy, all the while adhering to his Law.
The Tafsir is clear Surah 5:68 is referring to the people of the scripture who have no religion and that they must adhere to the scriptures given to the Prophets which mentioned the prophecy of Prophet Muhammed Pbuh and to accept Him as the last and final Messenger. Note the verse is not speaking of the Old and New Testament.
Let us now explain it a different way.
It is clear from the verse the people of the book (scripture) are being told “they stand on nothing unless they uphold, observe by the Torah, Gospel and Qur’an.” Note all three God given scriptures must be observed or upheld. Also notice the word for GOSPEL in Arabic is إِنجيل INJEEL singular not أناجيل ANAJEEL GOSPELS plural.
Question is, if Surah 5:68 is instructing Christians to observe their Gospels how about the Torah and Qur’an? The verse starts with the Torah and ends with the Qur’an, why miss out those two crucial scriptures also mentioned?
Let us go back a few verses and read from context.
And if only the People of the Scripture had believed and feared Allah, We would have removed from them their misdeeds and admitted them to Gardens of Pleasure.
And if only they had upheld [the law of] the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to them from their Lord [i.e., the Qur’an], they would have consumed [provision] from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them are a moderate [i.e., acceptable] community, but many of them – evil is that which they do. (Surah 5:65-66)
Notice from the immediate context the Qur’an is informing us the people of the scripture did not uphold the Torah, Gospel and Qur’an and had they upheld them then God Almighty would have provided them all sorts of provisions.
Now coming to verse 68. What must they observe from the Gospel that God Almighty is instructing them?
Let' us find out from the Qur’an.
They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers. (Surah 5:72)
Here is read the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary instructed this people to observe Allah Swt is the one and only true God worthy of worship and not to associate any partners with him. This includes calling Jesus the son or God.
[Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. (Surah 19:30)
Here we read Jesus the son of Mary is informing his people to observe he is a servant and Prophet of Allah Swt.
Never would the Messiah disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor would the angels near [to Him]. And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant – He will gather them to Himself all together (Surah 4:172)
Here the Christians should observe the Messiah would never disdain to be the servant of God.
And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O Children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad." But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic." (Surah 61:6)
Here we read Jesus the son of Mary informing this people, giving them the good news of a Messenger to come after him whose name will be AHMED. Can Christians please verify they are observing the teachings and saying of Jesus son of Mary from the Qur’an. As mentioned, the Torah and Gospel were revelations given by Allah Swt to the Prophet Moses and Jesus Pbut. If you truly believe the Qur’an is telling you to observe the Gospel, then this is the best time for you to become a Muslim.
