The story of Banu Israel (Children of Israel) is one of the most repeated in the Qur’an, filled with lessons of faith, gratitude, and rebellion. From Prophet Ya‘qub (Jacob, peace be upon him) to the rise of modern Israel, their history reflects both divine blessings and repeated disobedience. This article explores the Islamic perspective on Israel, supported with Qur’anic verses and authentic Hadith.
- The Origin of Banū Isrā’īl
The name Israel was the title of Prophet Ya‘qub (peace be upon him). In Arabic, Israel means ‘Abdullāh — the servant of Allah. He had twelve sons, and from their descendants came the twelve tribes of Banū Isrā’īl.
- Qur’an:
“And We divided them into twelve tribes, communities…” (Surah Al-A‘rāf 7:160)
Allah blessed them abundantly and raised them above many nations of their time.
- Qur’an:
“O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I bestowed upon you and that I preferred you over the worlds.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:47)
Yet despite these blessings, they were often ungrateful and exchanged Allah’s favors with disobedience and sins.
- The Favors of Allah upon Banū Isrā’īl — and Their Responses
a) Chain of Prophets Sent
Allah sent them a chain of prophets — among them Musa (Moses), Dawud (David), Sulayman (Solomon), Zakariyya (Zechariah), Yahya (John), and ‘Īsā (Jesus), peace be upon them all. But instead of obeying, many of them denied and even killed their prophets.
“…That was because they [habitually] disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That was because they disobeyed and were transgressing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:61)
- Hadith: Prophet ﷺ said:
“The most severely punished people on the Day of Resurrection will be a man killed by a prophet, a man who killed a prophet, and the rulers who mislead.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hasan)
b) Heavenly Food and Water
Allah provided them miraculous food — manna and quails — and water gushed forth from twelve springs for each tribe. Yet they complained and asked for mere earthly vegetables.
- Qur’an:
“Eat from the good things with which We have provided you.” … They said, “O Musa, we can never endure one kind of food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us of what the earth grows — its herbs, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:57, 61)
c) Saved from Pharaoh — Yet Worshipped the Calf
Allah saved them from the tyranny of Pharaoh, drowning him in the sea. Yet soon after, they worshipped a calf of gold.
- Qur’an:
“And [recall] when We saved you from the people of Pharaoh… Then We forgave you after that so perhaps you would be grateful.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:49–52)
d) Disobedience on the Sabbath
They were commanded not to fish on Saturday, but they cheated by setting nets beforehand.
- Qur’an:
“And you had already known about those who transgressed among you concerning the Sabbath, and We said to them, ‘Be apes, despised.’” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:65)
e) Refusal to Enter the Holy Land
When ordered to fight and enter the blessed land, they refused out of cowardice and mockery.
- Qur’an:
“They said, ‘O Musa, indeed we will never enter it, ever, as long as they are within it; so go, you and your Lord, and fight. Indeed, we are sitting right here.’” (Surah Al-Mā’idah 5:24)
f) Demand to See Allah Directly
After receiving the Torah, they arrogantly demanded to see Allah with their own eyes.
- Qur’an:
“And [recall] when you said, ‘O Musa, we will never believe you until we see Allah outright’; so the thunderbolt took you while you were looking on.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:55)
g) Arrogance at the Gate of the Holy Land
They were told to enter with humility so that Allah may forgive them, but they mocked and altered the command.
- Qur’an:
“Enter the gate bowing humbly and say, ‘Relieve us of our burdens.’ … But those who wronged changed the words to a statement other than that which had been said to them; so We sent down upon those who wronged a punishment from the sky.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:58–59)
- Punishments in This World Before the Hereafter
Because of their repeated rebellion, Allah afflicted them with various punishments:
Cursed by Allah
- “And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned with anger from Allah…” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:61)
Transformed into Apes
- “…We said to them, ‘Be apes, despised.’” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:65)
Stricken with Poverty and Humiliation
- “…Humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they drew upon themselves the wrath of Allah.” (Surah Āl-‘Imrān 3:112)
Wandered 40 Years in the Desert
- “Allah said, ‘Then indeed, it is forbidden to them for forty years [in which] they will wander throughout the land.’” (Surah Al-Mā’idah 5:26)
- After the Coming of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Allah sent Muhammad ﷺ as the final messenger to all mankind. The Jews and Christians had already been told about him in their scriptures.
- Qur’an:
“…They recognize him as they recognize their own sons. But indeed, a party of them conceal the truth while they know [it].” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:146)
When the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Madinah, the Jewish tribes there signed treaties with him. Some accepted Islam, like ‘Abdullāh ibn Salām (RA), a learned Jewish scholar. But many others broke their agreements and opposed him, leading to their expulsion or punishment.
- Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If ten Jews had believed me, all the Jews would have believed me.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Conclusion
The Qur’an does not merely recount the story of Banū Isrā’īl as history; it is a living reminder for Muslims of all times. Their repeated ingratitude, rebellion, and arrogance toward their prophets became the reason for their humiliation and punishment. Today, the modern state of Israel continues the same pattern of oppression, arrogance, and hostility — especially against the Muslim Ummah and the people of Palestine.
- Allah ﷻ exposed their nature in the Qur’an, not to stir hatred, but to warn the believers: never follow their path of disobedience, hypocrisy, and rebellion. Instead, we are called to remain firm upon faith, united, and patient in the face of trials. May Allah protect the Ummah, grant victory to the oppressed, and unite our hearts upon His guidance. Ameen.
