Allah in the Quran advises us with respect to the Children of Israel (Jewish people):
But because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard; they change the words from their (right) places and forget a good part of the message that was sent them, nor wilt thou cease to find them- barring a few – ever bent on (new) deceits: but forgive them, and overlook (their misdeeds): for Allah loveth those who are kind.
(5:13) – فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ لَعَنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ وَنَسُوا حَظًّا مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ وَلَا تَزَالُ تَطَّلِعُ عَلَىٰ خَائِنَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاصْفَحْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
Here, Allah swt, advises our Holy Prophet (saw) to forgive, overlook the misdeeds, and be kind to the Children of Israel. Allah loves those that are kind. Allah here recognizes the covenant made with the Children of Israel, and advises the prophet to deal with them with a delicate hand. This is because Allah swt knows what we do not know. We can speculate all day as to why Allah advised our prophet to deal with the Children of Israel in this way, but it is not our job to understand Allah’s ruling, but rather internalize them and act upon them. We are meant to emulate the prophet and use the Quran as our guide in life. Considering this, it would be safest for a muslim and the entire muslim ummah to deal with the Children of Israel with a delicate hand.
Allah further indicates that he loves those who are kind. We are meant to be kind to the Children of Israel. Now if Allah swt did not tell us to hate Jews, then who did? I am of the opinion that any message contrary to what Allah advises us must necessarily come from the devil.
Does this mean we forfeit the Islamic rights in Palestine? No, of course not. That is a matter of the rights and duties of the ummah. I am specifically referring to the way Muslims think of jewish people inside and outside of Palestine (around the world). Muslims would do good to remember, no only are the Jewish people (Children of Israel) people of the book, but we are commanded to be kind to them, and forgive them where ever possible.
Anti-semitism is an ideology, that is based in racism and tribalism. Islam came to dispel racism and tribalism.
O you who believe, be persistently standing firm in justice as witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. Follow not your desires, lest you not be just.
(4:135) – ۞ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًۭا فَٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۭا
There is a rise in Anti-semitism in the world, due to the perceived bad acts of some Jewish people. However, even if this is true, it is no reason to negatively judge or hate the entire Jewish tribe. Each person should be judged specifically for what they may or may not have done. Similarly, if one muslim does something bad, or a group of muslims, we do not want all of Islam to be collectively punished as a group. That would be unjust.
Many great people are Jewish, and even the Jewish sinners will be judged by Allah swt or the local governing governments for their crimes. However, to hate Jewish people as a whole is not logical or becoming of a Muslim, and will only serve to confuse the Muslim ummah. Of course, there are Jewish oppressors in the world, just as there are muslim oppressors in the world. We are not supposed to give any oppressor a pass. However, simply because a government is bad, does not mean its people are bad. Anti-semitism is a simplistic view of the world, based upon partial knowledge and information.
Anti-semitism, is also based in spiritual ignorance. A miracle of the Quran, is that a central group spoken about is the Jewish people (Children of Israel), and yet even today the Jewish people remain a strong and relevant group on the international stage. This is a sign that the Quran is the true word of Allah swt. We are not meant to debate are argue as to why Allah has given the Children of Israel this privilege in the Quran.
Here you are – those who have argued about that of which you have [some] knowledge, but why do you argue about that of which you have no knowledge? And Allah knows, while you know not.
3:66 – هَا أَنتُمْ هَٰؤُلَاءِ حَاجَجْتُمْ فِيمَا لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلِمَ تُحَاجُّونَ فِيمَا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Similarly, you must then ask yourself, if Allah wanted to, he could have destroyed the Jewish people, or he could have ordered us to hate them, or he could have converted all of them to Islam, but he did not do this.
And unto Allah leads straight the Way, but there are ways that turn aside: if Allah had willed, He could have guided all of you.
16:9 – وَعَلَى اللَّهِ قَصْدُ السَّبِيلِ وَمِنْهَا جَائِرٌ وَلَوْ شَاءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Allah knows best. Given this rise in anti-semitism we are seeing today, and given the ignorance of the muslim ummah of their own Quran, hopefully this message is a necessary reminder.
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