Disclaimer

The purpose of this article is not to vilify Jews as a people but, rather, to provide an understanding of how they are addressed in the Qur’an and Sunnah, in light of their historical relationship with Islam.

It is important to note that the Qur’an recognizes Jews and Christians as People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab), closest to Muslims among other faiths, and promises immense rewards for those among them who accept Islam, granting them double the reward for their faith and acknowledgment of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). However, with the recent activities of Israel and their broader implications, it is crucial to revisit these teachings to gain insight into historical patterns, to better understand the challenges we face today, and to learn lessons that help prevent the repeating of mistakes which have led to all sorts of obstacles and problems in the past.

Introduction

The Jewish people or, as referred to in the Quran, Banu Isra’il (i.e., the progeny of Prophet Ya’qub, who was named Isra’il and had twelve sons), were chosen by Allah to be the nation of Allah on Earth, as a role model for all other people. They were blessed with many Prophets and multiple scriptures. They were saved from calamities, including mass genocide, through various miracles. All that was asked from them in return was that they remain humble and loyal towards Allah and His Prophets. Allah describes them in the Quran, however, as a people who were guilty of several mistakes and sins due to their own hubris and arrogance. Those violations are the main subject of this article.

1. Mocking/Rejecting Allah and His Commands

Due to the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) asking his companions for charity and donations, either for war efforts or for the poor and needy, the Jews in Madinah would mock the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). They would even mock Allah by saying disgusting blasphemous things like “Allah is poor.” The Qur’an condemns the Jews for this depraved blasphemy.

Allah has truly heard the words of those mocking at revelation, who said: ‘Verily Allah is in penniless need, while we are wealthy.’ We shall unfailingly record what they have said, and their long having slain so many prophets without the slightest right, and We shall say: ‘Taste the chastisement of the raging fire. That is for what your own hands have sent ahead; And that never would Allah greatly wrong other servants by leaving the wicked unpunished.’ (Qur’an 3:181–182)

And the Jews have pathetically said: ‘The hand of Allah is fettered by stinginess.’ and they be cursed for what they have uttered! Rather His hands are bounteously outspread: He expends however He wills! And for a truth, what you have been sent down from your Lord will increase a great many of them in enormity and unbelief. And We have cast enmity and hatred between them until the Day of Resurrection; Whenever they ignite a fire for war, Allah puts it out; And they strive to spread corruption across the earth; And Allah loves not those who corrupt (Qur’an 5:64)

Similar blasphemous statements against Allah can be found within their own scriptures, such as the claim that Isra’il/Ya’qub (peace be upon him) wrestled God and won (Genesis 32:22–28).

Highly exalted is He — [far] above what they say! — and most high with the greatest sublimity. (Qur’an, 17:43)

The Rabbis, according to their beliefs, can also openly reject revelation from Allah (something any sane Muslim would perceive as the height of disbelief in God), if they feel that their limited personal reasoning is more sound than that of the All-Knowing, All-Wise.

“As when a prophet follows a reasoning and one who is not a prophet, likewise, follows a reasoning; and the prophet says that the Holy One, blessed be He, told me that my reasoning is correct – do not listen to him. Rather [if there are] one thousand prophets – all of them like Eliyahu and Elisha – following one reasoning, and one thousand and one sages following the opposite of that reasoning, ‘we lean towards the many.’ And the law is like the words of the one thousand and one sages, not like the words of the one thousand glorious prophets.” (Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah, Maimonides)

In short, if a thousand divinely guided prophets say the exact same thing, while a thousand and one rabbis say something else completely, you go with the majority.

RELATED: Judaic Narcissism: Contextualizing “Is God an Antisemite?”

2. Rejecting, Slandering, and Killing Prophets

The Qur’an talks about Jews killing prophets sent to them while rejecting their message.

Verily those who deny the verses of Allah and slay the prophets without the slightest right, and slay those of men who enjoin justice: Give them glad tidings of a painful chastisement. (Qur’an 3:21)

The people of the Book ask you to send them down a Heavenly Book from the sky; While they asked Moses even more outrageous than that, saying, ‘Show us Allah openly,’ so the thunderblast seized them on the instant for their wrongdoing; Yet even worse they had idolatrously taken the calf just after the plain proofs had come to them; And We gave Moses clear sovereign authority. And We raised Mount Sinai aloft over them to solemnify by fear any breach in their covenant; And We said to them, ‘Enter the city-gate bowed humbly down in atonement,’ and We told them, ‘Break not the Sabbath,’ and We took of them an awful mighty covenant. So precisely for breaking their fearful covenant did We do to them what We did; And their disbelief in the unmistakable signs of Allah, and slaying so many prophets without the slightest right, and saying, ‘Our hearts are innately grown shut from heeding you,’; Rather, Allah has set an indelible stamp of wrong on their hearts for their unbelief, so they believe not at all, but pitiably little. And for their unbelief and uttering an unspeakable calumny against Mary. (Qur’an 4:153–156)

There are also prophetic reports that mention the Banu Isra’il killed dozens and even hundreds of prophets in a single day!

1) Sayyiduna Abu ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “O Abu ‘Ubaydah, The Banu Isra’il murdered forty three Prophets in a short space of time, one hundred and seventy men (one narration mentions one hundred and twelve men) from among the Banu Isra’il tried to enjoin good and forbid evil, but they too were murdered on the same day.” (Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim, Tafsir Qurtubi, and Tafsir ibn Kathir, Surah: 3 Verse: 21)

 

2) Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) is reported to have said: “The Banu Isra’il murdered three hundred messengers on one morning.” (Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim, Surah: 2 Verse: 61; and Tafsir ibn Kathir, Surah: 3 Verse: 21)

They even attempted to have Prophet ‘Isa (peace be upon him) crucified, but they were unsuccessful. However, they did manage to kill his cousin Yahya (peace be upon him). They also made several attempts on the life of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

And saying: Verily it was we who killed the “Messiah” Jesus son of Mary, the “Messenger of Allah”; Though they killed him not, nor crucified him, but rather another was made to resemble him to them; And verily those who differed about him are truly in doubt over him: They have no true knowledge of it at all, but only the slavish following of mere conjecture, and they most certainly did not kill him, as they claim. (Qur’an 4:157)

The Jewish scriptures slander the prophets with horrific lies. For example, they claim Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) committed adultery (2 Samuel 11), that Prophet Haroon (peace be upon him) led the people in idol worship (Exodus 32:1–6), and that Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) committed incest (Genesis 19:30–38). And Allah’s refuge is sought from evil slanders.

The Qur’an and Sunnah teach us the truth, that our righteous prophets are protected by Allah from committing sins. This makes complete logical sense since, why would Allah choose human beings as his representatives on Earth if they are constantly sinning and committing evil? Who would even take claimants of prophethood seriously if this were to be the case?

No prophet could possibly ever steal from the common war booty: Whoever does so shall bring what he stole on the Day of Resurrection, then finally and far worse, every soul be requited all it earned, while they shall not be wronged. (Qur’an: 3:161)

Here is an example of the Old Testament lying about Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) engaging in idol worship to please polytheistic women (1 Kings 11:1–13), but the Qur’an proves his innocence from such slanders.

And instead they immersed themselves in what godless fiends had made up and assiduously recounted down throughout the years against the sovereign reign of Solomon: While Solomon did not commit unbelief, but the godless fiends disbelieved: They ceaselessly taught men sorcery and what was sent down unto the angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut, while these would never teach a single soul until they had said: ‘We are but a deadly temptation so commit not unbelief!’ Whereat they would learn from them that by which they would turn a true man against his own beloved wife,—while they harm no one at all thereby save by the leave of Allah—and they learn what grievously harms them, and helps them not the least. And truly have these at present well understood that whoever eagerly buys it shall never in the next world have any share of the good; And how evil a price indeed is what they have sold their souls for, if they had only known. (Qur’an: 2:102)

RELATED: The Disgraceful Depiction of Prophets in Judaism

3. Asking Questions to Argue Against Commands

Allah describes Bani Israil as people known to constantly argue and create loopholes in order to try and bypass Allah’s commands. They also questioned Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) persistently with regards to the sacrificing of the calf, making things more difficult for themselves by asking unnecessary questions and seeking out details that were never required.

They said, ‘Pray to your Lord, and He shall make clear to us what it should be.’ He said, ‘Verily He says it shall be a cow neither past its years, nor tender in youth unmated, but between that; So do as you are bid.’ They said, ‘Pray to your Lord, and He shall make clear to us what color it should be.’ He said, ‘Verily He says it is to be a gold cow brilliant in color, admired by all who look.’  They said, ‘Pray to your Lord, and He shall make clear to us what it should be: Verily cows are all alike to us, and certainly, Allah willing, we shall be guided.’ He said, ‘Verily He says it should not be a cow so servilely low that it throws up dust behind a plow, or waters tillage; Free of any blemish; With no other patch of color in it.’ They said, ‘Now you have brought the whole truth.’ And so they slaughtered it, while they almost would not. (Qur’an 2:68–71)

Allah warns us against arguing regarding matters that have not been confirmed through revelation, as such things are not relevant or of any benefit to us. This includes arguing about the number of the people of the cave.

They shall say, ‘They were three, whose fourth was their dog’; And say, ‘They were five, whose sixth was their dog’—casting blindly about at what they know not. And they shall say: ‘They were seven, and the eighth of them was their dog.’ Say, ‘My Lord knows best their number: No one knows them but a very few.’ So argue not over them, but debate of little depth; Nor seek an authoritative opinion about them from a single one of the people of the Book. (Qur’an 18:22)

Allah has revealed the story of fishing during the Sabbath—how they tried to make a mockery of Allah’s commands, to play games in order to disobey Him, only to be transformed into pigs and apes as punishment.

And ask them of the own that lay by the sea; When they were trespassing on the Sabbath; when their fish would come to them on the day they were to keep the Sabbath, churning the sea in schools, while the day they had no Sabbath, they came to them not. Even thus did We try them dire for the iniquity they would not forgo. And when a group of them of one mind said: ‘Why do you keep warning a people whom Allah is certain to destroy, or visit an unsparing chastisement?’ The others replied: ‘Only as an honest excuse to clear ourselves to your Lord; And that haply they may become godfearing.’ So when the wicked dismissed from their minds what they had been reminded of, We mightily saved those who kept forbidding the bad, and We seized those who did wrong with a terrible chastisement for the godlessness they would not give up. And when they grow even more hardened in flouting what they had been forbidden, We said to them: ‘Be you apes, driven despised away!’ (Qur’an 7:163–166)

If we take a look at current-day Judaism, including Orthodox Judaism, there is a constant flux and change in how the law is practiced. There are non-stop efforts to disobey the clear commands of God by using ridiculous stratagems in interpreting things like wording. They understand very well what the commands mean. They think they can fool God. Many adherents to Judaism consistently twist the law for their own convenience and benefit, which flies in the face of true submission to God.

RELATED: Trying to Trick God: Israel Works Around an Unusual Biblical Commandment

4. Distorting and Hiding Scripture

The Qur’an informs us of how Bani Israil have concealed and altered divine scripture.

Can you hope they will unwaveringly believe you all, when a faction of them used to hear the word of Allah, then actually change it as soon as they had understood it, knowing full well? (Qur’an 2:75)

So woe to those who write the book with their own hands, and yet more outrageous in enormity, say over and over: ‘This is from Allah Himself,’ to buy a paltry price thereby. So woe to them from what their hands have written, and woe to them from what they earn and earn. (Qur’an 2:79)

There is even an incident during the life of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) when the Jews tried to hide away the punishment of stoning for adultery as found in their own books.

It has been narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Jews had brought to Allah’s Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) a man and a woman from among them who had committed illegal sexual intercourse. Allah’s Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked them, “How do you deal with those among you who have committed illegal sexual intercourse?” They replied, “We blacken their faces with charcoal, and we beat them.” He asked, “Is the command for rajm (stoning to death) not found within the Torah?” They answered, “We find no such thing therein.” [Upon hearing this] ‘Abdullah ibn Salam said, “You have lied. ‘Bing the Torah and recite it, if by denying this you are telling the truth’ [Qur’an: 3:93].” [So they brought forth the Torah. However] the religious teacher who would teach it to them placed his hand over [and covered] the verse of rajm. He then started reading that which was below his hand and that which was above it, but he did not read the verse of rajm. ‘Abdullah ibn Salam then removed his (i.e., the religious teacher’s) hand from the verse of rajm and asked, “What is this?” When they (i.e., the Jews) saw it, they said, “This is the verse of rajm.” Thus the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) ordered that the two who had committed illegal sexual intercourse be stoned to death, and they were stoned to death close to the area where the funeral prayers would be offered, beside the masjid. [‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar said:] I saw her companion (i.e., the man who had committed illegal sexual intercourse with her) crouching over her, shielding her from the stones. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 4556)

RELATED: Jewish Scripture: Preserved or Corrupted? An Introduction

5. Breaking Treaties and Lying

Historically, Jewish people broke treaties with the Muslims in Madinah, forcing the Muslims to exile them from the city due to the very serious threat that they posed. The most famous of these betrayals is during the Battle of Khandaq.

The Battle of the Trench (Ghazwat al-Khandaq) occurred when the Quraysh, allied with various Arab tribes, laid siege to Madinah. In order to defend the city, the Muslims, under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), dug a trench around the city, effectively preventing the enemy from entering. However, during the siege, the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayzah, who had made a treaty with the Muslims, secretly allied with the Quraysh and their Jewish allies, betraying the treaty that they had made. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had asked them over and over whether or not they were ok with the treaty. They were told that, if they were not, they were free to leave the city. The leaders of the tribe assured the Muslims that they were indeed loyal to the treaty. The betrayal was discovered when the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) sent a delegation to confirm reports of their treachery and disloyalty, and it was found that the Banu Qurayzah were indeed traitors guilty of treason, and they had indeed conspired against the Muslims from within Madinah. The Banu Qurayzah also sent scouts out to the fortress in which Muslim women and children remained for protection during the siege. They intended to slaughter them mercilessly in order to demotivate the men, who were fighting on the front lines. Upon learning of this evil treachery, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) immediately took action and marched towards their stronghold. This betrayal was very significant, as it posed a dual threat to the Muslims, who were already under siege. Ultimately, the judgment for this extreme betrayal of theirs was execution. The men of the Banu Qurayzah were sentenced to death, while the women and children were taken captive. The executions were carried out by a former ally of the Banu Qurayzah who had become Muslim and was familiar with the Jewish religion.

Because of this betrayal, Allah curses the Jews with spiritual blindness in the Qur’an.

So precisely for breaking their fearful covenant did We curse them and make their hearts hopelessly hard: They pervert revealed words from their actual places; And they forgot an enormous share of what they had been reminded of; And you still see shocking treachery from them, save for pitiably few. So pardon them and pay no mind to what they do: Verily Allah loves those who excel in good. (Qur’an 5:13)

Unsurprisingly, the Talmud permits the deception of non-Jews in many places. Here are just a couple of examples:

“It is permissible to cheat a Goy.” (Baba Kamma 113a)

“If a Jew finds an object lost by a Goy, it does not have to be returned.” (Baba Kamma 113b)

RELATED: What Judaism Really Thinks about Non-Jews: Response to Jewish Apologists

6. Permitting Polytheism and Black Magic

The Qur’an condemns some Jews who practiced black magic and polytheism during the time of Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him). These practices are now extended by some Jewish groups into the modern day in the form of Kabbalah and Freemasonry.

And instead they immersed themselves in what godless fiends had made up and assiduously recounted down throughout the years against the sovereign reign of Solomon: While Solomon did not commit unbelief, but the godless fiends disbelieved: They ceaselessly taught men sorcery and what was sent down unto the angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut, while these would never teach a single soul until they had said: ‘We are but a deadly temptation so commit not unbelief!’ Whereat they would learn from them that by which they would turn a true man against his own beloved wife,—while they harm no one at all thereby save by the leave of Allah—and they learn what grievously harms them, and helps them not the least. And truly have these at present well understood that whoever eagerly buys it shall never in the next world have any share of the good; And how evil a price indeed is what they have sold their souls for, if they had only known. (Qur’an: 2:102)

Labid ibn A’sam, a Jew from the Jews of Banu Zurayq, had performed witchcraft on the Prophet using a comb and some hairs caught in the comb, wrapped in the outer skin of the spadix of a date-palm. He then hid it in a specific well.

It has been narrated from ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: A Jew from the Jews of Banu Zurayq named Labid ibn A’sam had performed witchcraft on the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). [The effect of this was] such that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would be under the impression that he had performed some act, whereas he had not done it. [This continued] until, one day or one night, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) supplicated [to Allah, for Him to remove the effects of the sorcery]. He then supplicated again, and then he supplicated again. Then he said, “O ‘A’ishah, are you aware that Allah has informed me about that regarding which I had sought information from Him? Two men came to me. One of them sat by my head; and the other by my feet. The one by my head said to the one by my feet; or the one by my feet said to the one by my head, ‘What is the man’s ailment?’ He (i.e., the other) replied, ‘A spell has been cast on him.’ He asked, ‘Who has cast the spell on him?’ He replied, ‘Labid ibn A’sam.’ He asked, ‘By means of what thing?’ He replied, ‘By means of a comb and some strands of hair that had fallen out while combing [and remained in the comb].’ He continued, ‘And [that is wrapped in] the outer skin of the spadix of a date-palm.’ He asked, ‘Where is it?’ He replied, ‘In the well of Dhi Arwan.’” She (i.e., ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her) said: Thus the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) sent some men from among his companions to it (i.e., the well). He then said, “O ‘A’ishah, by Allah, it was as though the water was infused with henna (i.e., because of its color), and it was as though the date palms were the heads of the devils.” She said, so I asked: O Messenger of Allah, why did you not destroy it by burning it? He said, “No. As for myself, then Allah has indeed cured me. And I dislike that I should bring about harm upon the people. Thus, I commanded that it be buried (i.e., filled).” (Sahih Muslim: 2189)

Some rabbis interpret the Noahide laws as making licit idolatry because, while the law says to worship God, it does not restrict worship only to God alone. There are also some rabbis who permit the learning of sorcery and witchcraft, stating that this is done only for educational purposes. It should, however, be noted that this is not a mainstream view. Similarly, movements like the Kabbalah and Freemasonry are also considered to be fringe heretical sects by mainstream Jewish groups, though they certainly do exist.

Additionally, there are even disputes that exist amongst rabbis as to how many gods there actually even are! Some believe in henotheism, which means they believe in a god that is specific to their people (which, in the case of the Jews, is the God of Abraham), while they also believe that there are many other gods besides theirs.

RELATED: Converts to Judaism: Debunking Myths about Ruth and the Noahides

7. Extreme Material Greed and Stinginess

The Qur’an describes Bani Israil as having excessive greed and stinginess.

And you see a great many of them racing headlong in sin and transgression and devouring shamefully ill-gotten gain: How evil indeed is what they have unceasingly done! Why have the godly men of knowledge and works and the rabbis not forbidden their speaking lies, and devouring shamefully gotten gain? How evil indeed is what these too have unceasingly worked! And the Jews have pathetically said: ‘The hand of God is fettered by stinginess.’ May their hands be fettered with sick repulsive stinginess, and they be cursed for what they have uttered! Rather His hands are bounteously outspread: He expends however He wills! And for a truth, what you have been sent down from your Lord will increase a great many of them in enormity and unbelief. And We havr cast enmity and hatred between them until the Day of Resurrection; Whenever they ignite a fire for war, Allah puts it out; And they strive to spread corruption across the earth; And Allah loves not those who corrupt. (Qur’an 5:62–64)

 

This is also found exclusively in their own scriptures, which permit usury and stealing from non-Jews.

You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a fellow Israelite. (Deuteronomy 23:20)

RELATED: Judaic Narcissism: Contextualizing “Is God an Antisemite?”

8. Extreme Fear of Death

The Qur’an describes their extreme fear of death and great desire to have their lives prolonged, as they know in their hearts what awaits them in the hereafter.

And you will always find them the most grasping of all mankind for any last pathetic shred of life, even more than idolaters. Any of them burningly wishes if only he could have his life prolonged beyond others by a thousand dreary years; While it shall not wrest him from the grip of the chastisement to have his life made long; And Allah sees all they do. (Qur’an 2:96)

RELATED: The Nonexistence of Heroism and Honor in Israel

9. Double-Speak and Twisting Words

The Qur’an narrates how some Jews historically used to pervert and twist religiously sacred words and phrases to malign and mock the religion.

Of Jewry are those who pervert sacred words from their right places, and say: ‘We hear you and disobey,’ and ‘Hearken, may you be deaf,’ and ‘Tend well to us, be you fuddled,’ to insolently twist words with their tongues and malign the religion. Had they but said ‘We hear you and obey,’ and ‘Pray listen,’ and ‘Regard us,’ it were better for them and fitter. But Allah has cursed them for their unbelief, so they believe not, but pitiably little. (Qur’an 4:46)

The following is an incident of them twisting the religious greeting of “peace be upon you” (as-salamu ‘alaykum) instead to “death be upon you” (as-samu ‘alaykum).

It has been narrated from ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Jews came to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, “Death be upon you (as-samu ‘alaykum),” to which ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) responded, “And [death be] upon you (wa ‘alaykum), and may Allah curse/damn you, and may Allah shower His wrath upon you.” He (i.e., the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Be at ease, O ‘A’ishah. You must exhibit gentleness. Take care not to exhibit roughness or unseemly language.” She asked, “Did you not hear what they said?” He replied, “Did you not hear what I said? I responded to them in kind. My prayer against them will be answered, while their prayer against me will not be answered.” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6030)

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10. Division Among Jews

The Qur’an mentions that, while Jews may appear to be united, they are in fact divided very deeply.

They would not both join to fight you save in fortified towns or from behind high ramparts. Their war-fury between themselves is unsparing; You deem them united, while their hearts are far asunder; That is because they are a people who cannot even think. (Qur’an 59:14)

Violent infighting can be found throughout Jewish history. Historical infighting between Jewish sects during the period of the Second Temple was marked by intense conflicts between the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots. The Pharisees, who emphasized oral traditions and the interpretation of the Torah, clashed with the Sadducees, the more priestly class who adhered strictly to the written Torah and rejected oral traditions. The Zealots, a radical group which advocated for armed rebellion against Roman rule, often found themselves at odds with both the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were more politically inclined to maintain some form of cooperation with the Roman authorities. This infighting weakened Jewish unity and contributed to the internal strife that played a role in the eventual destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE by the Romans.

In the modern day, you can find a great deal of tension on the Internet between non-secular and secular Jews. For example, the non-secular Jews refer to secular Jews as “am ha’aretz,” a term worse than “Goy” and those who it is permissible to kill under Talmudic laws.

RELATED: Secular Jews According to the Talmud: Expendable Vermin?

11. Obsession with Lineage

Hadith mention Jews who were known to value their lineage above all else, as supposedly being “God’s chosen people.” It has been mentioned that the Jews in Madinah even rejected the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) based on him not sharing the same lineage as them.

And when a mighty Book came to them from Allah Himself, confirming what they already possessed,—while just before they had been praying to Allah for triumph over unbelievers through the coming prophet—So no sooner had there come to them what they knew full well, than they disbelieved in it! So the curse of Allah be on the unbelievers. How evil a price indeed is what they have paid to gratify their selfish souls: Disbelief in what Allah has sent down, out of arrogant vile envy transgressing all bounds, simply because Allah is sending down out of His bounteous favor upon whom He wills of His servants: So they came back having incurred divine wrath, on top of the utter divine wrath already on them; And unbelievers shall have a humiliating chastisement. (Qur’an, 2:89–90)

 

Their scripture emphasizes being the “chosen people” based on lineage rather than faith, pious actions, and intentions.

 

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. (Deuteronomy 7:6)

Islam, in contrast, prioritizes righteousness and piety over lineage. The only reason the children of Israel were “chosen” was so that they become a group of humble believers.

O mankind: Verily We created you of a single male and female, and but made you peoples and major tribes to know and appreciate your own kindred ties with each other: Verily the greatest of you in the sight of Allah is the most godfearing of you. (Quran 49:13)

RELATED: “Non-Jews Have Satanic Souls”: The Spiritual Mentor of Ben Shapiro

Conclusion

There are several lessons that we, as Muslims, can learn from. Most importantly, we learn from the early Muslims such as the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with all of them) that, unlike the Jews criticized in the Qur’an, we are not arrogant towards Allah and His Messengers (peace be upon them). Instead, we submit ourselves to whatever Allah and His Messengers command us to do, and we realize that this life is temporary and that our focus is the hereafter. Otherwise, we will fall into the same cursed state that the children of Israel eventually fell into.

Furthermore, we need to recognize the risks of trusting and allying with a group of people who Allah has warned us about, in terms of their treachery. Unfortunately many rulers of modern Muslim nations are willing to ally with countries and nations that are built upon and permeated by ideologies like Zionism. The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was in a position of power when he made treaties with the Jewish tribes in Madinah, yet they still ended betraying him. So what of us, when we are currently in a weak state as an ummah, dealing with a country like Israel or the USA (which is basically vassal state for Israel in many ways) while they are full of politicians, lobbies, and special interest groups that are more than happy to betray and stab us in the back for the slightest of gains? Extreme caution needs to be exercised when it comes to this matter.

A final message, especially for any Jewish people who may be reading this. As we had mentioned earlier, the purpose of this article is not to put down or to stereotype all people of the Jewish religion and lineage.

That being said, it is important for us not to be blind as to what our religion says about Judaism in general, and what has occurred historically. We recognize that there are Jews who are sincere towards their Creator and do not believe or practice much of what has been mentioned in this article.

We invite these Jewish people to recognize all the Prophets and scriptures, including the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the Qur’an. We invite them to enter into the fold of Islam—true submission to their Creator—and place themselves upon the path to heaven. We leave you with a few verses in the Qur’an regarding those from the people of the Book who are sincere and accept what Allah has sent down for them and embrace Islam:

Yet they are not all alike: Of the people of the Book are a great number now upright, who recite the verses of Allah in the reaches of the night, prostrating themselves in prayer; Who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and bid the right and forbid the wrong, and outrace in every kind of the best deeds: And those are of the supremely righteous. And whatsoever good they do, it shall never be denied them; And Allah well knows the godfearing. (Qur’an 3:113–115)