[ Allah sent many prophets and messengers among the Jews. Allah also gave them the book. So they are called Ahle Kitab (People of the Book). Christians were also given the Book by Allah, so they are also called People of the Book. The People of the Book generally refer to Jews and Christians. However, today's discussion is about the Jews.

Among the People of the Book there were people of all classes, good and bad. Those who were guided and righteous , accepted the Book and the law brought by their Prophet wholeheartedly and remained firm on his law even after the departure of the Prophet. They believed in Prophet Musa (A.S), and the Book ‘Torah’ revealed to him. Then after the arrival of Hadrat ‘Isa (A.S), he was also accepted from hearts. Those who are called ' Ummatun Muqtasidah ' in the Holy Quran means followers of the straight path. [See- Surah Ma'idah (5) : 66]

After that, those who were steadfast on the right path also believed in the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and accepted the Book and law revealed to him wholeheartedly . In the Noble Quran, it is said about them, 'Ummatun Qa’imah,' meaning established on the right path. It has also been said , ' Salihin ' means righteous and virtuous. [See- Surah Al-Imran (03): 113-114]

But those of them, who were bad, killed many prophets. They disobeyed Allah and His Messenger and engaged in wrongdoing. In the Holy Quran they are described as وَكَثِيْرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فٰسِقُوْنَ  ‘many of them are disobedient ' and وَكَثِيْرٌ مِّنْهُمْ سَآءَ مَا يَعْمَلُوْنَ  ‘many of them are those whose actions are evil ' . [See Surah Ma'ida (05): 66 ; Surah Hadid (57): 16]

 The Qur'an describes their negative traits and numerous wrongdoings. Even today they are the masters of many misdeeds and the kings of corruption and anarchy in the world. This is the subject of today's article.]

In each rak'ah of the five daily prayers we recite –

اِهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيْمَ، صِرَاطَ الَّذِيْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ لَا الضَّآلِّيْنَ.

Take us on the straight path. The path of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, Not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray. - Surah Fatiha (01): 5-7 

Here the nation referred to by ْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَيْهِمْ ‘those who have incurred Your wrath' is the Jewish nation. From their path, we seek refuge with Allah in every rak'ah of every prayer. Why ?

They are the people who, despite knowing the truth, have not accepted it due to stubbornness and malice. They have not learned any lessons even after directly witnessing the power, blessings, and punishment of Allah Ta'ala. Instead, due to their injustice and misconduct, they have distanced themselves from Allah's mercy. They have surpassed all limits in disbelief, associating partners with Allah (Shirk), and engaging in injustice and misconduct. They have even gone so far as to kill many prophets.

Their natural characteristics include concealing the truth, opposing the Prophets, especially harboring extreme animosity towards Islam, the Prophet of Islam and Muslims, engaging in serious conspiracies against Islam, breaking promises and agreements, promoting betrayal, treachery, violence, murder, creating chaos and disorder in the world, maintaining wars and conflicts, and unjustly seizing people's wealth. In addition to these misdeeds, there is no heinous crime which they have not done or are not doing!

In the Noble Qur'an, Allah Ta'ala has described their character in various ways. Here we will briefly highlight some of the basic aspects of their character as described in the Noble Qur'an.

Disrespect towards Allah

After the enactment of the Zakat law, they sarcastically remarked-

اِنَّ اللهَ فَقِيْرٌ وَّ نَحْنُ اَغْنِيَآءُ .

Allah is poor and we are rich.

Allah Ta'ala did not give them any answer to this extreme haughtiness, but rather warned them of punishment .

[ Translation ] Allah has surely heard the words of those who said, “Allah is poor, and we are rich.” We shall write down what they said, and their killing of the prophets unjustly; and We shall say, “Taste the punishment of the flaming fire.” - Surah Ale Imran (3): 181

Due to disobedience, Allah Ta'ala once threw them into financial crisis for few days. In this situation, they should have obeyed. Instead of doing that, some of their leading people uttered extremely rude words against Allah Ta'ala. They were probably the only ones in the world who said such insolent remarks –

يَدُ اللهِ مَغْلُوْلَةٌ.

Allah's hands are tied.

In Arabic ' hand tied ' means miserliness. They said, Allah Ta'ala is being stingy towards them by putting them in a financial crisis, Nauzubillah. However, this Jewish nation has been known as stingy and miserly all over the world since ancient times. Allah Ta'ala says - Rather, they themselves are miserly and because of their words the curse has been cast upon them. [See Surah Ma'ida (5): 64 , Tafseer Tabari ; Tafseer Qurtubi , Commentary on the verse]

Because of disobeying Allah's laws, Allah made Bani Israel to live in the Sinai desert for a long time. There they were suffering in various ways , although many supernatural blessings were also bestowed upon them. When Allah, the Almighty, granted them liberation, instructing them to enter a certain land with bowed head and say –

حِطَّةٌ نَّغْفِرْ لَكُمْ خَطٰيٰكُمْ.

Allah , we seek forgiveness , so that We forgive your errors! {- Surah Baqarah (2): 58-59 }

But they started joking Allah. They started chanting – 

حَبَّةٌ فِيْ شَعْرَةٍ.

We want wheat! We want wheat!! - Sahih Bukhari , Hadith 4641 ; Sahih Muslim , Hadith 3403

Killing and slandering the prophets

They killed many messengers of Allah. When prophets brought some law from Allah, if the Jews did not like it, they rejected it by showing arrogance, or they killed the Prophets. This was the character of the ancestors of the Jews.

Allah, the Almighty, says

اَفَكُلَّمَا جَآءَكُمْ رَسُوْلٌۢ بِمَا لَا تَهْوٰۤي اَنْفُسُكُمُ اسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيْقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَ فَرِيْقًا تَقْتُلُوْنَ.

Then, how is it that every time a prophet came to you with what does not meet your desires, you grew arrogant? So, you gave the lie to a group (of the messengers) and killed others. - Surah Baqarah (2): 87

Allah Ta'ala has repeatedly said about the killing of the Prophets by the Jews. See , Surah Nisa (4): 155 ; Surah Al-Imran (3): 18 , 112 ; Surah Baqarah (2): 91

Today, jews have occupied Baitul Maqdis. However, the new construction of Baitul Maqdis was done by the Prophet of Allah, Hadrat Sulaiman (peace be upon him). The Jews accused him of magic. (See Fathul Bari , Ibn Hajar 6/408 ; Sunan Ibn Majah , Hadith 1408 ; Sharhu Sunani Ibn Majah , 8: 421.) Even some foolish Jews called him an infidel for ages until the verses of the Holy Quran made the matter clear. [See Surah Baqarah (2): 102 ; Tafseer Ibn Abi Hatim 1/185 ; Tafseer Ibn Qathir 1/187]

Maryam, mother of Prophet Isa (A.S) was slandered by the Jews. According to the Christian belief, the Jews also killed their Prophet Isa (A.S). Although it is stated in the Quran that they could not kill Isa (A.S); Rather, Allah Ta'ala has kept him in His custody. He will come to the world as one of the ummah of the last prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam before the Day of Judgment. - Surah Nisa (4): 156-158

Continuously creating injustice and corruption in the world

The nature of the Jews is to create war and violence, murder and lawlessness in the land, to create and maintain enmity among others. Allah Ta'ala says –

كُلَّمَاۤ اَوْقَدُوْا نَارًا لِّلْحَرْبِ اَطْفَاَهَا اللهُ وَ يَسْعَوْنَ فِي الْاَرْضِ فَسَادًا، وَ اللهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِيْنَ.

Whenever they lit the flame of war, Allah puts it out. They run about on the earth spreading mischief, and Allah does not like the mischief-makers. - Surah Ma'ida (5): 64

Imam Qurtubi rah. (671 AH) said , the biggest corruption is their attempt to obliterate Islam and Muslims. (See Qurtubi)

Betrayals, treachery, conspiracies, secret schemes, breaking promises and agreements, are part of their lives

The nature of this nation is to break deals. Numerous incidents are mentioned in the Quran regarding the matter. There are many examples of this from the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) until today in 1445 Hijri. Here we can only remember the words of Allah Ta'ala –

اَوَ كُلَّمَا عٰهَدُوْا عَهْدًا نَّبَذَهٗ فَرِيْقٌ مِّنْهُمْ، بَلْ اَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ.

Would it always be that every time they enter into a pact, a group from among them should throw it aside?  In fact, most of them do not believe - Surah Baqarah (2): 100

In another verse Allah says :

[ Translation] Those with whom you have entered into a treaty, then they break their treaty each time, and they do not fear Allah.- Surah Anfal (8): 56

Allah Ta'ala also cursed them because of serious crimes like breach of contract. He hardened their hearts too. It has been stated-

[ Translation] Then because of their breach of promise, I drive them away from My mercy and harden their hearts. They remove the sayings (of the Torah) from their proper places. And forget a part of what they were advised.

Their hearts are very hard and cruel

Allah, the Almighty, said in the previous verse , I make their hearts hard. In another verse He says –

ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوْبُكُمْ مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ ذٰلِكَ فَهِيَ كَالْحِجَارَةِ اَوْ اَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً  .

( After directly witnessing so many favors of Allah Ta'ala) When, even after that, your hearts were hardened, as if they were rocks, or still worse in hardness.- Surah Baqarah (2): 74 ; Surah Hadid (57): 16

Eternal hatred towards Muslims

Their animosity towards Muslims and the Prophet of Islam is so evident that Allah Ta'ala says –

وَ لَيَزِيْدَنَّ كَثِيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ مَّاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَانًا وَّ كُفْرًا، وَاَلْقَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَ الْبَغْضَآءَ اِلٰي يَوْمِ الْقِيٰمَةِ.

What has been sent down to you from your Lord shall certainly increase many of them in rebellion and disbelief. We have put enmity and hatred amongst them lasting to the Day of Doom. - Surah Ma'ida (5): 64

Not only that , because of this, their hatred towards the Ummah of the last Prophet Hadrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also increased. [See Tafseer of the above mentioned verse from Tafseer Ibn Kathir]

Cowardice and infinite fear of death

They fear the Muslim Ummah more than Allah! Allah Ta'ala says –

لَاَنْتُمْ اَشَدُّ رَهْبَةً فِيْ صُدُوْرِهِمْ مِّنَ اللهِ  ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَفْقَهُوْنَ.

In fact, your fear in their hearts is greater than (that of) Allah. That is because they are a people who do not understand. - Surah Hashar (59): 13

It can still be seen that they are so afraid of the unarmed Palestinians despite the great military power!

When conspiracy of Banu Nazir against Islam and the Prophet of Islam was exposed, the Prophet gave them time to leave Madinah, but they stayed in Madinah, expecting help from the hypocrites. Finally, getting no help from the hypocrites, they sought refuge in the fort. In this context, Surah Hashr of the Holy Quran was revealed. It is said in the surah –

لَا يُقَاتِلُوْنَكُمْ جَمِيْعًا اِلَّا فِيْ قُرًي مُّحَصَّنَةٍ اَوْ مِنْ وَّرَآءِ جُدُرٍ  بَاْسُهُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ شَدِيْدٌ تَحْسَبُهُمْ جَمِيْعًا وَّ قُلُوْبُهُمْ شَتّٰي ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْقِلُوْنَ.

They do not fight you, even assembled together, but in fortified towns, or from behind the walls. Their quarrelling between themselves is severe. You think that they are united, while their hearts are divided. That is because they are a people who have no sense. - Surah Hashar (59): 14

They claimed, the success in the Hereafter was privileged for them alone. They showed their false pride to the Prophet. Whenever the Prophet challenged them, if you are such beloved servants of Allah, if the success of the Hereafter is only yours, then wish for death, which is the only bridge from this world to the next, if you are truthful!. But let alone wishing for death, each of them wishes to live for a thousand years on the earth! [See Surah Baqarah (2): 94-96]

Surah Jumua also mentions their fear of death. [See Surah Jumu'ah (62): 6-7]

Prepared to support worship of idol and acknowledge its excellence against Islam

There are so many stories about the Jewish conspiracy against Islam and Muslims that it's impossible to mention all of them here. As they claim to be followers of a heavenly religion, they should not have joined hands with idolaters in any way. But they can do everything against Islam.

Breaking the peace treaty with Muslims, the Jewish leader Ka'b bin Ashraf went to Makkah with another Jewish leader Huyy ibn Akhtab to incite the polytheists of Makkah against Muslims. He met the polytheists and assured them of their support against Muslims. 

In answer to the question of Abu Sufyan, the leader of Makkah, he brazenly said, the disbelievers of Makkah are more guided than those who believe. But he knows that praising idol worshippers means supporting it, which is also against Jewish faith. The act of prostrating in front of idols is also mentioned in some narrations. In this context, this verse was revealed –

اَلَمْ تَرَ اِلَي الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوْا نَصِيْبًا مِّنَ الْكِتٰبِ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَ الطَّاغُوْتِ وَ يَقُوْلُوْنَ لِلَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا هٰۤؤُلَآءِ اَهْدٰي مِنَ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا سَبِيْلًا.     

Have you not seen those who have been given a share from the Book? They believe in Jibt and Taghut and say concerning those who disbelieved, “They are better guided in their way than those who believe.” - Surah Nisa (04): 51 [See Tafseer Ibn Abi Hatim , Tawzihul Qur'an]

Read this verse again, comparing relationship of Netanyahu, the Israeli president with Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India and the leader of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Betrayal of trust

The way they deal with non-Jews is to do so. Allah Ta'ala says –

وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اِنْ تَاْمَنْهُ بِدِيْنَارٍ لَّا يُؤَدِّهٖۤ اِلَيْكَ اِلَّا مَا دُمْتَ عَلَيْهِ قَآىِٕمًا  ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ قَالُوْا لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا فِي الْاُمِّيّٖنَ سَبِيْلٌ  وَ يَقُوْلُوْنَ عَلَي اللهِ الْكَذِبَ وَ هُمْ يَعْلَمُوْنَ.

And among them there is one who, if you entrust him with a single dinar (a coin of gold), he will not give it back to you, unless you keep standing over him. This is because they have said, “There is no way we can be blamed in the matter of the unlettered.” And they tell lies about Allah knowingly.- Surah Ale Imran (3): 75

More to See: Surah Al-Ma'idah (5): 18

Deeply sectarian

Most of them are so sectarian that they do not want to accept anything other than the ideology of their predecessors. No matter how truthful the statement is, they would say –

قُلُوْبُنَا غُلْفٌ.

Our hearts are veiled.

Allah Ta'ala says –

بَلْ طَبَعَ اللهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ اِلَّا قَلِيْلًا.

Rather, Allah has set a seal over them for their disbelief, so they do not believe but a little - Surah Nisa (4): 155

Their self-centered arrogance and pride are so apparent that, if a call is made towards the teachings of Hadrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) in their religion, they respond by saying -

نُؤْمِنُ بِمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ عَلَيْنَا وَ يَكْفُرُوْنَ بِمَا وَرَآءَهٗ وَ هُوَ الْحَقُّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ .

That is, we will only believe in the words that have been revealed to us ; That is , the Torah. And they deny what is beyond it, whereas that is the truth which confirms what is with them.

Basically, they lead their lives as they wish. They don’t follow any books. So Allah Ta'ala says, ' Tell them, if you are really believers, why are you killing the prophets? [ See Surah Baqarah (2): 91]

That is, if you follow your own religion, then why did you kill the prophets of your religion in the past ?

Always trying to turn Muslims away from Islam

Jews are extremely jealous of Muslims. They always desire how to turn Muslims away from Islam. Allah Ta'ala has also highlighted that attitude –

[ Translation] (O Muslims!) many among the people of the Book desire to turn you, after your accepting the faith, back into disbelievers-all out of envy on their part, even after the truth has become clear to them.- Surah Baqarah (2): 109 ; Surah Al-Imran (3): 69-74

They are jealous

One of the reasons for their hostility towards Islam is that the Last Prophet did not come in their lineage. Allah Ta'ala says :

اَمْ يَحْسُدُوْنَ النَّاسَ عَلٰي مَاۤ اٰتٰىهُمُ اللهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهٖ.

Or, is it that they are jealous of people over what Allah has given them of His bounty. - Surah Nisa (4): 54

But this matter is entirely in the hands of Allah. There is no room for objection here. Allah Ta'ala says, they are so miserly, so stubborn and so sectarian that if the kingdom ever falls into their hands, they would be so miserly that they would not give even a particle of anything to anyone outside their own tribe –

اَمْ لَهُمْ نَصِيْبٌ مِّنَ الْمُلْكِ فَاِذًا لَّايُؤْتُوْنَ النَّاسَ نَقِيْرًا.

Is it that they have a share in the kingdom? If so, they would give nothing to the people, not even to the measure of a tiny pit on the back of a date-stone? - Surah Nisa (4): 53 ; Surah Al-Imran (3): 73-47 (Dr. Tafseer Ibn Abi Hatim , Tafseer Ibn Kathir.)

In addition to the evil character mentioned, their character includes concealing the laws of Shariah, [See, Surah Aal-e-Imran (3):71; Surah Ma'idah (5):41], hindering people from the path of Allah, [See Surah Nisa (4): 160] and distorting and changing the religion by adopting bribe. [See Surah Ma'ida (5): 42 ; Surah Tawbah (9): 34]

They are forever disgraced

As long as the Jews do not abandon their evil nature and come under the peaceful shade of faith and Islam, shame and disgrace will follow them like a shadow in this world. This is the declaration of Allah. Of course, if a way is created by Allah or any support comes from the side of humans, which will give them sustenance , then it is a different matter. For example, today sustenance is being provided to them by Western Christians and polytheists. If they stop support, the Jews will not survive for a moment.  Allah's wrath and displeasure is declared against them. It is narrated in the Holy Quran,

ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ اَيْنَ مَا ثُقِفُوْۤا اِلَّا بِحَبْلٍ مِّنَ اللهِ وَ حَبْلٍ مِّنَ النَّاسِ وَ بَآءُوْ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللهِ وَ ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَسْكَنَةُ  ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ كَانُوْا يَكْفُرُوْنَ بِاٰيٰتِ اللهِ وَ يَقْتُلُوْنَ الْاَنْۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ  ذٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوْا وَّ كَانُوْا يَعْتَدُوْنَ.

Them wherever they are found, unless (saved) though a source from Allah and through a source from men, and they have returned with wrath from Allah, and misery has been stamped over them. All this is because they used to deny the signs of Allah, and to slay the prophets unjustly. All this is because they disobeyed and transgressed the limits - Surah Ale Imran (3): 112

History has preserved how they lived an inhuman life being scattered in all corners of the world, through ages due to their sins and crimes.

They are cursed by the words of Allah and the Prophets

Bani Israel and the Jewish nation are cursed by Allah because of their deeds. Allah says,

اُولٰٓىِٕكَ الَّذِيْنَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللهُ  وَ مَنْ يَّلْعَنِ اللهُ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهٗ نَصِيْرًا.

Those are the ones whom Allah has cursed, and the one whom Allah has cursed, for him you shall find no helper. - Surah Nisa (4): 52

Further Notes: Surah Ma'idah (5): 13 ; Surah Ma'idah (5) : 60]

In one verse, Allah, the Almighty, says-

[ Translation] On those who disbelieve from among the children of Isra’il, a curse has pronounced by Dawud and ‘Isa, Son of Maryam. All this because they disobeyed and used to cross the limits- Surah Ma'ida (5): 78

In conclusion

Some aspects of the Jewish character have been highlighted in the light of the Holy Quran. Today's Jews are their descendants. Allah Ta'ala addressed the Jews of the prophet’s era in many places for the sins of Bani Israel. He has described their sins, just as He has described the sins of their predecessors. Because, they did not declare themselves exempt from the crimes of their predecessors. Rather, they developed that criminal tendency and mentality in themselves and committed new heinous crimes. If one reads the characters of the corrupt class of Jews described in the Quran, the faces of today's Israeli oppressors will become even clearer.

Translation: Rasel Khan