31]; so Muslims do not require to study these books.[132] The
orthodox belief is that they are entirely abrogated by the Quran,[133]
though Syed Ahmad denounces as ignorant and foolish those Musalmans who say
so.[134] Be that as it may, their inspiration is considered to be of a
lower order than that of the Quran. A large {148} portion of the Injil is
considered to be mere narrative. The actual words of Christ only are looked
upon as the revelation which descended from heaven. It is so in the case of
the Old Testament Prophets. "However, it was the rule to call a book by the
name of the prophet, whether the subject-matter was pure doctrine only, or
whether it was mixed up with narrative also." "It is to be observed that,
in the case of our own Prophet, the revelations made to him were intended
to impart a special miracle of eloquence and they were written down,
literally and exactly, in the form in which they were communicated without
any narrative being inserted in them."[135] The writings of the Apostles
are not considered to be inspired books. "We do not consider that the Acts
of the Apostles, or the various Epistles, although unquestionably very good
books, are to be taken as part and parcel of the New Testament itself;
nevertheless we look upon the writings of the Apostles in the same light as
we do the writings of the Companions of our own Prophet; that is to say, as
entitled to veneration and respect."[136] There are many verses in the
Quran which speak of previous revelations, thus: "We also caused Jesus, the
son of Mary, to follow the footsteps of the prophets, confirming the law
(Taurat) which was sent before him, and we gave him the Injil with its
guidance and light, confirmatory of the preceding law; a guidance and a
warning to those that fear God." (Sura v. 50). "We believe in God, and that
which hath been sent down to us, and that which hath been sent down to
Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which hath been given
to Moses and to Jesus, and that which was given to the prophets from their
Lord. No difference do we make between any of them: and to God are we
resigned." (Sura ii. 130). "In truth hath He sent down to thee the Book,
which confirmeth those that precede it, for He had sent down the {149} Law
and the Injil aforetime, as man's guidance; and now hath He sent down the
Furqan." (Sura iii. 2).[137]

Practically, Musalmans reject the Old and New Testaments. To do so is
manifestly agains