Quotes from the Qu'ran and Hadith about Jews,
Jerusalem and Israel
As an introduction, it should be noted
that in general the Qu'ran and Hadith make a distinction between "Children
of Israel" and "Jews". This distinction reflects the history of those
two terms.
The term "Israel" or "Children of Israel"
refers to the twelve sons of Jacob and their descendants. Jews almost
never referred to themselves collectively as "Jews" until after the 13th
century. In the Bible, Prayer Book and Talmud they call themselves "Children
of Israel", "Children of Jacob", "Israel", etc. but never "Jews".
The word "Jews" derives from the Roman term "Judea" which described roughly
the area allocated to the tribe of Judah including Jerusalem. More
specifically it refers to the militant zealots who fought against Rome.
According to Josephus, these zealots belonged to a Temple Cult at odds
with the Rabbinical Jewish authorities, and a portion of which were Idumean
converts to Judaism. In this sense the "Jews" or more properly "Judeans"
meant militants. New Testament references to "Jews" follow this pattern,
for example Jesus was labeled as "King of the Jews", i.e. "King of the
militants", not "King of Israel". After the Islamic conquest "Children
of Israel" came to imply the Jewish people who kept the Divinely given
commandments, and the "Jews" as those who abandoned or rejected them.
Borrowing from European anti-Semitic literature, modern Islamists have
stressed only the latter stereotype of evil "Jews".
The Qiyamah, Yawmul Deen, (which is also
known as the Day of Judgment, Day of Gathering, Day of Meeting God, the
Resurrection, and The Great Announcement), is a major theme (and
promise), addressed not only in the Qur’an, but also in other religious
Scriptures. Though opinions may differ on specifics, there is a more widely
spread consensus, that it is connected to a time of momentous upheaval
and calamity and, to The End of the World.
This event that has traditionally been
linked to the Day of Judgment, both in the Judeo-Christian traditions and
in the Qur’an, is the Return of the Children of Israel to the Holy Land.
Qur'an 17:104 : And We said unto
the Children of Israel after him: Dwell in the land; but when the
promise of the Hereafter (wa3’dul akhirati) cometh to pass We shall bring
you as a crowd gathered out of various nations.
Qur'an 59:2 : He it is Who caused those
who disbelieved of the followers of the Book (Jews) to go forth from their
homes (leave their exile) till the first gathering (Li awalil hashr) you
did not think that they would go forth, while they were certain that their
fortresses would defend them against Allah; but Allah came to them whence
they did not expect, and cast terror into their hearts; they demolished
their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers; therefore
take a lesson, O you who have eyes!
Qur'an 17:4 : And We decreed for the Children
of Israel in the Scripture: Ye verily will experience corruption (exile)
in the earth twice, but Ye will then after (thumma) ascend (ta’lunna) to
a great height (or station).
Also according to the Qur'an, Allah chose
the Children of Israel above all the nations
O Children of Israel! call to
mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfil your covenant
with Me as I fulfil My Covenant with you, and fear none but Me. [Qur'an,
sura 2:40]
Children of Israel! call to mind the (special)
favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all other
nations (for My Message). [Qur'an, sura 2:47]
And remember We took your covenant and
We raised above you Mount (Sinai) : (Saying): "Hold firmly to what We have
given you and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein: Perchance ye
may fear Allah." [Qur'an, sura 2:63]
"We [Allah] made a covenant with you [Children
of Israel] and raised the Mount [Sinai] above you, saying:
'Grasp fervently [the Torah] what We [Allah] have given you, and bear in
minds its precepts, that you may guard yourselves against evil'". [Qur'an,
sura 2:65]
And remember We [Allah] made a covenant
with the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but Allah; treat
with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need;
speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular
charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide
(even now). [Qur'an, sura 2:83]
After this it is ye, the same people, who
slay among yourselves, and banish a party of you from their homes; assist
(Their enemies) against them, in guilt and rancour; and if they come to
you as captives, ye ransom them, though it was not lawful for you to banish
them. Then is it only a part of the Book that ye believe in, and do ye
reject the rest? but what is the reward for those among you who behave
like this but disgrace in this life?- and on the Day of Judgment they shall
be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful of
what ye do.[Qur'an, sura 2:85]
We gave Moses the Book and followed him
up with a succession of messengers; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear
(Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Is it that whenever
there comes to you a messenger with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are
puffed up with pride?- Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay! [Qur'an,
sura 2:87]
Those to whom We [Allah] have sent the
Book [Torah] study it as it should be studied: They are the ones that believe
therein: [Qur'an, sura 2:121]
O Children of Israel! call to mind the
special favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all
others nations (for My Message).[Qur'an, sura 2:122]
"When God made a covenant with those [the
Children of Israel] to whom the Scriptures were given He said: 'Proclaim
these to mankind and do not suppress them'". [Qur'an, sura 3:187, "The
'Imrans"]
"God made a covenant with the Israelites
and raised among them twelve chieftains [the princes of the twelve tribes
of the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel]". [Qur'an, sura 5:12, "The Table"]
"Bear in mind the words of Moses to his
people [the Children of Israel]. He said: 'Remember, my people,
the favour which God has bestowed upon you. He [Allah] has raised
up prophets among you, made you kings, and given you that [the Torah and
the Land of Israel] which He has given to no other nation. Enter,
my people, the holy land [of Israel] which God has assigned for you.
Do not turn back, and thus lose all'". [Qur'an, sura 5:20, "The Table"]
"We [Allah] made a covenant with the Israelites
and sent forth apostles among them". [Qur'an, sura 5:70, "The Table"]
"We [Allah] divided them [the Children
of Israel] into twelve tribes, each a whole community". [Qur'an, sura 7:159,
"The Heights"]
"We [Allah] sent forth Moses with Our signs,
saying: 'Lead your people [the Children of Israel] out of the darkness
into the light, and remind them of God's favours'. Surely in this
there are signs for every steadfast, thankful man. Moses said to his people
[the Children of Israel]: 'Remember God's goodness to you when He delivered
you from Pharoah's nation, who had oppressed you cruelly, slaughtering
your sons and sparing only your daughters. Surely that was a grevious
trial by your Lord. For He had declared: 'If you give thanks,
I will bestow abundance upon you: but if you deny My favours, My
punishment is terrible indeed'". [Qur'an, sura 14:6-7, "Abraham"]
"But it was Our [Allah's] will to favour
those [the Children of Israel] who were oppressed in the land [of
Egypt] and to make them leaders among men, to bestow on them a noble heritage
and to give them power in the land [of Egypt]; and to inflict on Pharoah,
Haman and their warriors the very scourge they [the Egyptians] dreaded".[Qur'an,
sura 28:3, "The Story"]
"We [Allah] gave the Book [Torah] to Moses
(never doubt that you will meet him) and made it a guide for the Israelites.
And when they grew steadfast and firmly believed in Our revelations, We
appointed leaders from among them who gave guidance at Our bidding. On
the Day of Resurrection your Lord will resolve their differences for them".
[Qur'an, sura 32:22, "Adoration"]
"We [Allah] gave the Book [Torah] to the
Israelites and bestowed on them wisdom and prophethood. We provided
them with wholesome things and exalted them above the nations".[Qur'an,
sura 45:17, "Kneeling"]
"We sent forth Noah and Abraham and bestowed
on their offspring [the Children of Israel] prophethood and the Scriptures
[Torah]". [Qur'an, sura 57:26, "Iron"]
The Qur'an gives reproof and condemnation
to the "Yahudis", meaning the Jews (or the more accurate term Judeans),
and specifically the miltiant inhabitants of Medina.
Ignominy shall be their portion
[the Jews'] wheresoever they are found... They have incurred anger from
their Lord, and wretchedness is laid upon them... because they disbelieve
the revelations of Allah and slew the Prophets wrongfully... because they
were rebellious and used to transgress. [Surah 111, v. 112]
And thou wilt find them [the Jews]
the greediest of mankind....[Surah 11, v. 96]
Evil is that for which they sell their
souls... For disbelievers is a terrible doom.[Surah II, v. 90]
Taste ye [Jews] the punishment of burning.[Surah
III, v. 18 1]
Proclaim a woeful punishment to those that
hoard up gold and silver.... Their treasures shall be heated in the dres
of Hell, and their foreheads, sides and backs branded with them. . . .
'Taste then the punishment which is your due. [Surah IX, v. 35]
"They [the Jews] are the heirs of Hell....
They will spare no pains to corrupt you. They desire nothing but your ruin.
Their hatred is clear from what they say ... When evil befalls you they
rejoice." Ibid. [Surah 111, v. 117-120]
Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We
shall expose them to the fire. As often as their skins are consumed We
shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste the torment.[Surah
IV, v. 56]
Because of the wrongdoing of the Jews....
And of their taking usury ... and of their devouring people's wealth by
false pretenses. We have prepared for those of them who disbelieve a painful
doom.[Surah IV, v. 160, 161]
Allah hath cursed them [the Jews] for their
disbelief.[Surah IV, v. 46]
They [the Jews] will spare no pains to
corrupt you. They desire nothing but your ruin. Their hatred is clear from
what they say, but more violent is the hatred which their breasts conceal.[Surah
III, v. 117-120]
In truth the disbelievers are an open enemy
to you.[Surah IV, v. 101]
And thou seest [Jews and Christians] vying
one with another in sin and transgression and their devouring of illicit
gain. Verily evil is what they do. Why do not the rabbis and the priests
forbid their evilspeaking and their devouring of illicit gain? .... evil
is their handiwork.[Surah V, v. 62, 63]
O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and
Christians for friends. [Surah V, v. 51]
The most vehement of mankind in hostility
[are] the Jews and the idolators.[Surah V, v. 82]
Fight against such of those [Jews and Christians]
... until they pay for the tribute readily, being brought low.[Surah IX,
v. 29]
Allah fighteth against them [the Jews].
How perverse they are![Surah IX, v. 30]
Believers, many are the rabbis and the
monks who defraud men of their possessions... Proclaim a woeful punishment
to those that hoard up gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah's cause....
their treasures shall be heated in the fire of Hell.... [Surah IX, v. 26-34]
They [the Jews] spread evil in the land
.... [Surah V, v. 62-66]
[The Jews] knowingly perverted [the word
of Allah], know of nothing except lies ... commit evil and become engrossed
in sin. [Surah II, v. 71-85]
Early Hadith say that the Dajjal (Anti-Christ)
will have 70,000 Jewish followers from Iran
The Killing of Dajjal (anti-Christ) and
the Victory of the Muslims:
After the completion of congregational
dawn prayers, Jesus will open the door behind him where Dajjal accompanied
by 70,000 Yahudis (Jews) will be. He will indicate with his hand to move
away between himself (Jesus) and Dajjal. Dajjal will then see Jesus. At
that time every unbeliever on whom the breath of Jesus will reach, will
die. His breath will reach up to the distance of his eyesight. The Muslims
will then come down from the mountains and break loose on the army of Dajjal.
There will be war, Dajjal will retreat, and Jesus will pursue Dajjal. Jesus
will have two flexible swords and one shield with him and with these he
will kill Dajjal at the Gate of Hudd. He willl show the Muslims the blood
of Dajjal which will get on his shield. Eventually the Yahudis (Jews) will
be selected and killed. The swine will be killed and the cross broken.
People will revert to Islam. Wars will end, and people will return to their
respective countries. One Jamaat (group) of Muslims will remain in his
service and companionship.
Later Hadiths (appearing in the 1930s and
1940s under the influence of Hajj Amin Husseini)
indicated the Messiah that all Jews wait for is the Dajjal, and "The resurrection
of the dead will not come until the Muslims will war with the Jews and
the Muslims will kill (exterminate) them."
This page was produced by Joseph
E. Katz
Middle Eastern Political and Religious
History Analyst
Brooklyn, New York
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