Help please

BintMuhammad

New Member
Staff member
Assalamu alaikum,

Yesterday someone told me that the Israeli's are the chosen people. How do I refute and explain to this person that this is untrue? It was my first time to hear such thing. Are there any articles about this subject written by our scholars? Please do share it. Jazakallaahu Khayran!
 

Happy 2BA Muslim

Islamophilic
Question: Please discuss the topic of the Jews being God's chosen people.

Answered by Dr. Amînah al-Jalâhimah

As for the veracity of the claim that the Jews are Gods chosen people, I will first mention what the Old and New Testament in that regard, and then mention what the Qur’ân has to say.

In the Old Testament, we have:

Furthermore the LORD said to me, `I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stubborn people; let me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.' [Deuteronomy, 9:13-14]

If we assume this passage to be authentic, then can we possibly think that this “stubborn people” are His chosen people? Would God say about His chosen people: “let me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they”? Is the tone here one of love or one of hatred?

We also have words of Moses (peace be upon him) that show how removed they are from God and how they repeatedly disobeyed their Lord:

You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you. [Deuteronomy, 9: 24] Is this a description of God’s chosen people?

In the Gospels, we have where Jesus (peace be upon him) addresses the Jews with the following:

You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? [Matthew, 23: 33]

Would you accept such a description for your own children?

We also have in Matthew:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, `Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" [Matthew, 23: 37-39]

Jerusalem here refers to the Children of Israel. How are they described? They are described as killers of the Prophets whom God sent to them out of His mercy. After all this, we still hear people saying that they are the beloved of God and His chosen people.

The Qur’ân challenges the Jews who come with this claim: “Say (O Muhammad): O ye who are Jews! If ye claim that ye are favoured of God apart from (all) mankind, then long for death if ye are truthful. But they will never long for it because of all that their own hands have sent before, and God is Aware of evil-doers.” [Sûrah al-Jumu`ah: 6-7]
 

Happy 2BA Muslim

Islamophilic
Actually Sister, in a sense, the Muslim ummah is considered the chosen people:

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Thus We have made you [true Muslims — real believers of Islamic Monotheism, true followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah (legal ways)], a just (and the best) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad) be a witness over you”

[al-Baqarah 2:143]

There are saheeh ahaadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) which explain this verse and state that what is meant by ummatan wasata is just and best, and what is meant by bearing witness over mankind is bearing witness against the nations on the Day of Resurrection, that their Messengers conveyed the Message to them. The words of the mufassireen do not refer to anything other than that.

Al-Bukhaari (4487) narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Nooh (peace be upon him) will be called on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said to him: ‘Did you convey (the message)?’ He will say: ‘Yes.’ Then his people will be called and it will be said to them: ‘Did he convey (the message) to you?’ They will say: ‘No warner came to us and no one came to us.’ It will be said to Nooh: ‘Who will bear witness for you?’ He will say: ‘Muhammad and his ummah.’” He said: “That is the words of Allaah, ‘Thus We have made you a just (and the best) nation.’” Ahmad (10891) added: He said: “And they will be called and they will bear witness that he conveyed (the message), then I will bear witness for you.”

Imam Ahmad (1164) and Ibn Maajah (4284) narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A Prophet will come on the Day of Resurrection accompanied by one man, and a Prophet will come accompanied by two men, or more than that. Then his people will be called and it will be said to them: ‘Did this one convey the message to you?’ and they will say, ‘No.’ It will be said to him: ‘Did you convey the message to your people?’ and he will say: ‘Yes.’ It will be said to him: ‘Who will bear witness for you?’ He will say: ‘Muhammad and his ummah.’ So Muhammad and his ummah will be called, and it will be said to them: ‘Did this one convey the message to his people?’ They will say: ‘Yes.’ It will be said: ‘How did you know that?’ They will say: ‘Our Prophet came to us and told us that the Messengers had conveyed the message.’ That is the words of Allaah, ‘Thus We have made you a just (and the best) nation.’ He said: Just, so that you will be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger will be a witness over you.”

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2448.

Ibn Jareer al-Tabari said in his commentary on this verse:

What this means is that just as We have made you a just nation, bearing witness for My Prophets and Messengers against their nations, that they conveyed the message to them that I commanded them to convey, so too My Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) will be a witness for you, that you believed in him and in what he brought to you from Me. End quote.

Jaami’ al-Bayaan, 2/8

Ibn Katheer said in his commentary on this verse:

Wasata here refers to the best and most excellent, as it was said: Quraysh awsat al-‘arab nasaban wa daaran, i.e., Quraysh are the best of the Arabs in lineage and abode, and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was wasatan fi qawmihi, i.e., the best of his people and noblest in lineage. And al-salaat al-wusta means the best prayer, namely ‘Asr prayer, as is narrated in the books of Saheeh and elsewhere.

“that you be witnesses over mankind” means: so that you will be witnesses over the nations on the Day of Resurrection, because they will all acknowledge your virtue. End quote.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/181

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

What we learn from this verse is the superiority of this ummah over other nations, because Allaah says wasatan.

And we learn that this ummah is just, because Allaah says “that you be witnesses over mankind”, and the witness is the one whose word is accepted.

And we learn that this ummah will bear witness over the nations on the Day of Resurrection, because Allaah says “that you be witnesses over mankind.” Testimony may be given in this world and in the Hereafter. When the people are gathered and the Messengers are asked: “Did you convey the message?” they will say, “Yes.” Then the nations will be asked: “Was the message conveyed to you?” and they will say, “No bringer of glad tidings or warner came to us; no one came to us.” Then it will be said to the Messenger, “Who will bear witness for you?” He will say: “Muhammad and his ummah.” So they will be asked to bear witness on the Day of Resurrection and they will bear witness, so they will be witnesses over mankind.

If someone were to say: How can they bear witness when they did not see?

We say: But they heard it from one whose words are more authentic than what one sees with one’s own eyes, i.e., the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). End quote.

Tafseer Soorat al-Baqarah, 2/115, 116

Al-Baghawi narrated in his Tafseer (1/122) that al-Kalbi said: Wasatan means the followers of the wasat religion, one that represents a middle path between exaggeration and negligence, because both are blameworthy in the matter of religion.

Shaykh al-Sa’di said in his Tafseer (p. 66):

i.e., just and best. Allaah has made this ummah just in all matters of religion, and in the middle with regard to the Prophets, between those who exaggerated about them like the Christians, and those who shunned them like the Jews, because they believed in all of them in an appropriate manner.

And they are in the middle with regard to divine laws; they did not go to extremes like the Jews or neglect them like the Christians.

And with regard to purity and food, unlike the Jews whose prayers are not valid except in their own synagogues and who cannot be cleansed of impurity by water, so good things were forbidden to them as a punishment; and unlike the Christians who do not regard anything as impure or forbidden, rather they permitted everything that exists. Rather the Muslims’ concept of purity and purification is the best and most perfect. Allaah permitted to them (the Muslims) all good things with regard to food, drink, clothing and marriage and He forbade to them all that is impure and evil. Hence this ummah has the most complete religion, the noblest attitude and the best of deeds. Allaah has bestowed upon them knowledge, forbearance, justice and kindness such as He did not bestow upon any other nation. Hence they are ummatan wasata, perfect and just, so that they may be “witnesses over mankind” because of their justice and fairness, so they will pass judgement over the people of all other religions, but no one else will pass judgement over them. Whatever this ummah testifies is worthy of acceptance will be accepted, and whatever they testify is worthy of rejection will be rejected.

If it is said: How can their ruling against others be accepted, because when there are two disputing parties, the word of one against the other cannot be accepted?

The answer is that the word of one of the disputants cannot be accepted, if there is some doubt about his character. But if there is no doubt and there is certainty of justice and good character, as in the case of this ummah, then the aim is to rule with justice and truth. The condition of that is knowledge and fairness, which both exist in this ummah so its word will be accepted. End quote.

Islam Q&A
 

BintMuhammad

New Member
Staff member
Jazakallaahu Khayr bro Happy 2BA Muslim. I'll surely let this person read everything Insha Allaah. May Allaah swt guide him ameen.
 

virtualeye

Tamed Brother
AssalaamuAlaikum,

Yes they are chosen people, but not by Allah, they are chosen by Shaetaan to spread misery in the world. (ofcourse not all of them are the same).

Wassalaam.
VE
 

Praise2Allah

Junior Member
Salam alaikom. Tell him God isnt racist to chose a single race and that be that. He chose the Jews at the time of Moses because they were obeying Him. This isnt the case any longer. God choses people by their goodness not race or colour or ethnicity.
 

bashaar

New Member
they are the chosen people but they broke there covenant with god in any case i wouldnt argue with that person much just tell him that we believe in jews and Christianity as religions they have there religion and we got ours.
 

Globalpeace

Banned
Asslamo Allaikum Sister,

Sorry Sis, but don’t understand your question?

Is this question by a Jew or a Muslim?

If this person is a Jew then the scripture (Talmud) clearly denotes them to be the chosen people and that is the whole persona, attitude of the Jews and the rest of the people are gentile so there is no amount of debating from the Qur’aan or the bible that will convince people…

If it is a Muslim then I believe the question is answered by various brothers, in any case Jews WERE the chosen people but they were humiliated because they turned their backs on the books (sort of like us NOW) & the Qur’aan says (Please read all verses & it is clear as to what happened):

I believe the following to be very clear evidence to your question…
5: 12. O ye who believe ! remember ALLAH's favour upon you when a people intended to stretch out their hands against you, but HE with-held their hands from you; and fear ALLAH. And in ALLAH should the believers put their trust.
5: 13. And indeed ALLAH did take a covenant from the Children of Israel; and WE raised among them twelve leaders. And ALLAH said, `Surely, I am with you, if you observe Prayer and pay the Zakaat, and believe in MY Messengers and support them, and lend to ALLAH a goodly loan, I will remove your evils from you and admit you into Gardens beneath which streams flow. But whoso from among you disbelieves thereafter does indeed stray away from the right path.'
5: 14. So, because of their breaking of the covenant, WE have cursed them and have hardened their hearts. They pervert the words from their proper places and have forgotten a good part of that with which they were exhorted. And thou wilt not cease to discover treachery on their part, except a few of them. So pardon them and show forbearance. Surely ALLAH loves those who do good to others.

Please read all 3 verses & it becomes clear…These verses are about Jews because the next verse is about Christians (so they are addressed separately) i.e:

5: 15. And from those also who say, `We are Christians,' WE took a covenant, but they too have forgotten a good part of that with which they were exhorted. So WE have caused enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection. And ALLAH will soon let them know what they have been doing.

The next verses discuss both of them (Jews & Christians together) i.e:

5: 16. O People of the Book ! there has come to you Our Messenger who makes clear to you much of what you have kept hidden of the Book and forgives many of your faults. There has come to you indeed from ALLAH a Light and a clear Book.
5: 17. Thereby does ALLAH guide those who seek His pleasure on the paths of peace, and leads them out of every kind of darkness into light by HIS Will and guides them to the right path.
5: 18. They indeed have disbelieved who say, `Surely ALLAH - He is the Messiah, son of Mary.' Say, `Who then has any power against ALLAH, if HE desired to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, and his mother and all those that are in the earth ?' And to ALLAH belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them. HE creates what HE pleases and ALLAH has power over all things.
5: 19. The Jews and the Christians say, `We are the sons of ALLAH and HIS beloved ones.' Say, `Why then does HE punish you for your sins ? Nay, you are mortals from among those HE has created.' HE forgives whom HE pleases and punishes whom HE pleases. And to ALLAH belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and to HIM shall be the final return.
5: 20. O People of the Book ! there indeed has come to you Our Messenger, after a break in the series of Messengers, who makes things clear to you lest you should say, `There has come to us no bearer of glad tidings and no Warner.' So a bearer of glad tidings and a warner has indeed come to you. And ALLAH has power over all things.
5: 21. And remember when Moses said to his people, `O my people, call to mind ALLAH's favour upon you when HE raised Prophets among you and made you kings, and gave you what HE gave not to any other among the peoples;
5: 22. `O my people, enter the Holy Land which ALLAH has ordained for you and do not turn back, for then you will return as losers.'
5: 23. They said, `O Moses, there is in that land an unruly and powerful people, and we shall not enter it until they go forth from it, but if they go forth from it, then we will enter it.'
5: 24. Thereupon two men from among those who feared their Lord, on whom ALLAH has conferred HIS special favour, said `Enter the gate advancing against them; when once you have entered it, then surely you will be victorious. And put your trust in ALLAH, if you are believers.'
5: 25. They said, `O Moses, we will never enter it, so long as they are in it. So go thou and thy Lord and fight, and here we sit.'
5: 26. He said, `My Lord, I have control over myself and my brother, therefore distinguish Thou between us and the rebellious people.'
5: 27. God said: `Verily it shall be forbidden to them for forty years; in distraction shall they wander through the land. So grieve not over the rebellious people.
5: 28. And relate to them with truth the story of the two sons of Adam, when they each offered an offering, and it was accepted from one of them and was not accepted from the other. The latter said, `I will surely kill thee.' The former replied, `ALLAH accepts only from the righteous;
5: 29. `If thou stretch out thy hand against me to kill me, I shall not stretch out my hand against thee to kill thee. I do fear ALLAH, the Lord of the Universe;
5: 30. `I wish that thou shouldst bear the punishment of the sin against me as well as of thine own sin, and thus be among the inmates of the Fire, and that is the recompense of those who do wrong.'
5: 31. But his evil self induced him to kill his brother, and so he killed him and became one of the losers.
5: 32. Then ALLAH sent a raven which scratched in the ground, that HE might show him how to hide the corpse of his brother. He said, `Woe is me ! Am I not able to be even like this raven so that I may hide the corpse of my brother ?' And then he became remorseful.
5: 33. On account of this, WE prescribed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killed a person - unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land - it shall be as if he killed all mankind; and whoso saved a life, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. And our Messengers came to them with clear Signs, Yet even after that, many of them commit excesses in the land.
5: 34. The only reward of those, who wage war against ALLAH and HIS Messenger and strive to create disorder in the land, is that they be slain or crucified or their hands and feet be cut off on account of their enmity, or they be expelled from the land. That shall be a disgrace for them in this world, and in the Hereafter they shall have a great punishment;
5: 35. Except those who repent before you have them in your power. So know that ALLAH is Most Forgiving, Merciful.
 
Top