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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Call For Unity Chapter 4 : Common Principles of Faith Humanity has forever reflected on and sought the answers to such questions as What is the meaning and purpose for my life? What is the source of life? How can I find my and everything else's Creator? What does the Lord require of me? What are right and wrong, good and evil?

Philosophers have developed their theories and published their ideas, but the true answers are found only in the divinely revealed religions and with divine guidance, because people's intellect and knowledge are severely limited. God has always guided humanity by sending His Messengers to spread His revelations.

Ever since the time of Adam (pbuh), the first human being, people have been informed of God's existence and commands and have found the truest and wisest answers to their questions in the divinely revealed religions. It is necessary to reflect on an important point here.

Even if true religions had different laws, according to their time and environment, they have always contained the same beliefs and morality and have transmitted the same fundamental principles (e.g., God's existence, unity, and attributes; the purpose and reason for humanity's and all other beings' creation; how to serve God; the ideal character, way of life, and conduct; the definitions of good and evil, right and wrong; and how to prepare for the eternal life in the Hereafter.) A great part of the world's population follows Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The Jews' book of revelation, which consists of 39 books, is known as the Old Testament. The first five books are parts of the Torah revealed to Moses (pbuh). The remaining books are thought to be revelations sent to Prophets after him or accounts written about them. The Torah is often thought to comprise the whole Old Testament. This book adopts this latter view, and therefore refers to the entire Old Testament as the Torah.

The Bible is the holy book of the Christians and consists of both the Old Testament and the New Testament, which contains four books, a collection of letters, and a vision (Revelations). Judaism as well as Christianity have suffered degeneration over time, and some myths and legends have found their way into their respective scriptures. However, these scriptures still contain many principles of faith and morality in common with Islam.