Anti-Semitism in Quran

Quran claims that it was transmitted to humanity from Allah through the agency of angel Gabriel and prophet Muhammad. Allegedly, this message was given to Muhammad in pieces over a period of 23 years (A.D. 610 to A.D. 632). Muslims claim that Allah is none other than the God of Israel of the Old Testament. They insist that Muhammad was the last great prophet from God of Israel to the whole world.

Looking into the Quran to see how it describes the Jewish people gives us a fair view into the nature of this book, which is claimed to be a revelation from God of Israel. Even a cursory overview of the Old Testament connotes us that Jews were an endeared group of people to the heart of God throughout His dealings with them. Some of the most affectionate terms were used by God to reveal His love for His people, Israel: my people, my inheritance, my wife, my son, my belonging, my sheep, the apple of my eye, my pride etc.

Now, let us look into Quran to comprehend the descriptions it gives to Jewish people.

Surah 2:65 - Pigs

Surah 3:71 - People who conceal the truth

Surah 5:41 - People who are cursed

Surah 5:60 - Apes

Surah 5:64 - Blasphemers

Surah 5:82 - Most vehement and most violent of mankind

Surah 5:64 - Not loved by Allah and sealed by him for the day of Judgment

Further, Surah 5:64 explicitly says that Allah put enmity and hatred among the Jews till the Day of Judgment. Throughout history, Muslims used all of the above phrases from Quran to describe Jewish people. Even in our own day, Imams, muftis and leaders of organizations like Hamas call Jewish people with names, ‘pigs and apes’ without any vacillation. In a recent BBC interview, Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the leading imam of the Grand Mosque in the Islamic holy city of Mecca, referred to Jews as ‘the scum of the human race’.

All fundamental Islamic organizations influenced by Quran, from Palestine’s Hamas to Lebanon’s Hezbollah to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qaeda to Pakistan’s Laskar-e-Toiba to Egypt’s Islamic Brotherhood to Philippines’ Abusayyaf to America’s Nation of Islam are known for their unconcealed anti-Semitism. Given the history of Muhammed’s dealings with Jews, this is not surprising.

Quran’s descriptions of the Jews in fact mirror the life of Muhammad in relation to the Jewish people. In the Suras of the Quran that are dated to the Meccan period of Muhammad’s lifetime, Jews are referred to as Banu Israil (children of Israel). In the later, Medinian suras, Jews are called with the term, Yahud, which has negative connotations.

‘Prophet’ Muhammad used the most ferocious means of retribution when the Jews of Medina rebutted his appeal to a prophethood. All the three major Jewish tribes of that city were either expelled or exterminated at the point of the sword of the prophet. Surah 33:25-26 describes the savagery of Muhammad towards the Jews following the Battle of the Trench.

And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.

And He drove down those of the followers of the Book who backed them from their fortresses and He cast awe into their hearts; some you killed and you took captive another part.

In the Bible we see Jewish people in fondness to the heart of God. The prophets of the Bible, even in their rejection by the Jews only wanted good and auspiciousness to the nation of Israel. When God told them to preach the message of judgment to the disobedient Israel, they did their prophesying with broken hearts and parched tongues (remember Jeremiah, for example).

On the contrary, Quran portrays God as antagonistic to Jews. The prophet of Quran, Muhammad wielded his sword on the people of God. No biblical prophet persecuted Jewish people. Muhammad’s eagerness to curse Jews reminds us of the false prophet of the Old Testament, Balaam who used seductive methods to bring curse on the Jews.

Further readings .... Islam