He revealed to them books of guidance, through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), that were appropriate for their time and place, to guide humanity through life. God says:
The Books
Throughout human history, God communicated with humanity through His chosen Prophets and Messengers.
“Now there has come to you light from God, and a clear Book whereby God guides all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace [and safety], and leads them out of darkness, by His permission, into light, and guides them to a straight path.”
(Quran 5:15–16)
There are four revealed books. The Tawrāt (Torah) was revealed to Prophet Mūsā (Moses). It contained laws for the Children of Israel and was a source of light and guidance for them. The Zabūr (Psalms) of Prophet Dāwūd (David) is also mentioned in the Quran as being a revelation from God. The Injīl (Gospel) was revealed to Prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus). The Quran, literally meaning ‘the often recited’, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in the Arabic language. The Quran is the verbatim word of God that is, and will continue to be, protected from distortion by God Himself.
“It is certainly We Who have revealed the Reminder, and it is certainly We Who will preserve it,”
(Quran 15:9)
This protection is considered a miracle for Muslims, that affirms the prophecy of Muhammad, peace be upon him, throughout the ages. Today, there is little dispute amongst theologians and religious critics alike that the Quran available to us now is the same one that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught his companions. This protection was not afforded to previously revealed books as they were to be abrogated by the final revelation. Therefore, while Muslims believe in all of the divinely revealed books, they do not accept the currently available versions to be accurate. They no doubt contain remnants of the original revelation, however, what was revealed is no longer clearly distinguishable from human input. God began revealing the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, when he was forty years old, and revelation continued until shortly before he passed on at the age of sixty-three.