Suhuf

Ṣuḥuf (Arabic: صُحُف, literally, the Scriptures) refers to any written work containing divine teachings, rulings and signs. In the Qur'an and hadiths, suhuf refers to the books of the Prophets (a) in general and some certain books such as the Qur'an and the book of Prophet Abraham (a). Suhuf is also used to refer to the record of deeds.

Meaning

Suhuf is the plural form of the word "sahifa" meaning "anything spread or anything on which they write."

Some researchers believe that suhuf, in usage, refers to any written work containing divine teachings, rulings and signs revealed to the Prophets (a). The material each of these suhuf was made of has been various in different times, sometimes, they have been made of wood, sometimes made of animal skin, sometimes made of paper, etc.

Divine Books

In verse 133 of Qur'an 20, God has mentioned these books revealed to the Prophets (a) as suhuf.

Also, in the verse fifty two of Qur'an 74, where it is mentioned that "But everyone of them desires to be given unrolled scriptures [from Allah]!", exegetes have considered the meaning of suhuf as "divine books".

In the Qur'an, the books of Prophets Abraham (a) and Moses (a) are called "suhuf". Exegetes consider "suhuf of Moses (a)" referring to the Torah and also believe that "suhuf of Abraham (a)" refers to the divine book which was revealed to Prophet Abraham (a). In hadiths, the books of Prophets Adam (a), Seth (a) and Idris (a) are also referred to as "suhuf".

Exegetes believe that in verse thirteen of Qur'an 80 and verse two of Qur'an 98, "suhuf" refers to "the Qur'an".

Record of Deeds

In verse ten of Qur'an 81, the record of humans' deeds is referred to as "suhuf", "When the records [of deeds] are unfolded". In a hadith, Imam al-Rida (a) referred to the record of people's deeds as "suhuf".

References

• The material for this article is mainly taken from صحف in Farsi WikiShia.