Firstly: The final and comprehensive book for all previous messages is the Qur᾽ān. It contains the essence of everything and provides Muslims with the tools needed for argumentation and debate.

The Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him) became angry with ῾Umar (may Allāh be pleased with him) when he wanted to look at the books of the Jews and Christians. Jābir ibn ῾Abdullāh reported that ῾Umar came to the Prophet and said, “We hear stories from the Jews that amaze us, should we write some of them down?” The Prophet replied, “Are you confused as the Jews and Christians were confused? I have brought it to you pure and clear, and if Mūsā were alive, he would have no choice but to follow me.” [Narrated by ᾽Aḥmad and al-Bayhaqī in Shu῾ab al-᾽Imān].

In another narration, the Prophet became angry when he saw a document with ῾Umar that contained something from the Torah. He said, “Are you in doubt, O son of Khaṭṭāb? Did I not bring it pure and clear? If my brother Mūsā were alive, he would have no choice but to follow me.”

This was to ensure that the Prophet maintained the unity of the source of learning.

Secondly: Only those who have mastered their own book should debate with the People of the Book because one cannot give what one does not have. How can we argue about something we do not truly know and understand its rulings and contexts?

The knowledge of rhetoric and debate is vast and requires tools, including various preliminary sciences (such as grammar, morphology, logic, rhetoric, and fundamentals). All these precede merely reading the opposing book, whether it be the Torah or the Bible.

Once you have acquired knowledge of Islamic law and these preliminary sciences, you may read whatever you wish from the books of the opponents for study or refutation purposes. Otherwise, it is a waste of time and effort.

Therefore, we advise you to spend your time and effort on what benefits and saves you. Do not concern yourself with debating this or that person until you have sufficient knowledge to fulfill the purpose.

Fatwā issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr