In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Christian Zionists perceive their role in assisting Jews to gather in Palestine as a religious obligation and a sacred mandate to facilitate the arrival of Christ and the establishment of God’s Kingdom on Earth. From their perspective, another advantage of the Jews’ migration to Palestine is the potential for numerous Jews to embrace Christianity upon the return of Christ. [Footnote a] I referred to this previously and made it clear that Christian Zionism supports the immigration of Jews to Palestine, and in fact, they were the ones who promised them this through Balfour, the British government’s Foreign Minister. In earlier references, I mentioned and clarified that Christian Zionism supports the settlement of Jewish people in Palestine. Moreover, they were the ones who, via Balfour, the British government’s Foreign Minister, made the promise to them. [Footnote b] They were the ones who assisted in the establishment of their state in occupied Palestine and pledged to preserve and defend, as well as provide all means of strength and expansion. This commitment mirrors the actions of Britain and was reinforced by the support of American Christian Zionists.
Christian Zionism also advocates for the Jewish people’s desire to establish Jerusalem as their capital, and replace Al-Aqsa Masjid with a Jewish temple, and views these actions as part of a divine plan that Christ will only return to Earth once these events occur. All matters are to be consolidated, and what surpasses that is their conviction in the imperative need to fulfil these Jewish demands. Rather, the Jewish Zionist Organization founded by Theodor Herzl and his supporters at the Basle Conference in Switzerland originated within the realm of Christian Zionism. This is exemplified by the statement made by Isaiah Leo “Si” Kenen, a prominent Jewish leader in America, who asserted that “Israel was initially a Christian hymn before it transformed into a Jewish political movement.” Christian Zionism was the driving force behind the Jewish people’s migration to Palestine (i.e. migration from other countries), and their call for unity and action to achieve its objectives. Furthermore, it exerted significant influence on Western nations, urging them to facilitate the creation and safeguarding of the Jewish state in Palestine. [End of quote] [1] [Footnote c]
——————————————————
Footnote a: The Anti-Christ DAJJĀL, the Return of the Messiah, JESUS Son of Mary and the Unleashing of Gog and Magog: https://abukhadeejah.com/dajjal-false-messiah-jesus-gog-magog/
Nothing besides the authentic divine texts of the final revelation should be quoted when speaking about future events from a religious perspective. Allah’s Messenger and what has been revealed to him are the authorities one must study to understand the subject of trials and tribulations before the end of time. As a result, one cannot return to the following matters: the narrations of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), opinions and dreams, weak and false narrations, analogy, and political, economic, or socialist analysis. That is because the narrations about the trials and tribulations, the signs of the Hour, and the strife that will occur are from the (affairs) of the Religion, and the Religion is Tawqeefee (i.e. its source can only be established from the divine texts of the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah). So, whatever is reported from the Prophet with authentic chains of transmission about (upcoming events) is necessary for a Muslim to believe, whether it appeals to the intellect or not, and this is the reality of one’s testimony that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger. Allah (The Most High) said:
وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ
Nor does he (Muhammad) speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. [Surah an-Najm. Ayah 3]
And Allah (The Most High) said:
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُو
And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)].[Surah Al-Hashr. Ayah 7]
Umar [may Allah be pleased with him] reported: One day while we were sitting with Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the prophet. Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said: “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam”. The messenger of Allah said: “Islam is to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, to perform the prayers, to pay the zakat, to fast in Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.” He said: “You have spoken rightly’’ And we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly. He said: “Then tell me about Iman.” He said: “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny, both the good and the evil thereof.” He said: “You have spoken rightly”. He said: “Then tell me about Ihsan.” He said: “It is to worship Allah as though you are seeing Him, and while you see Him not yet truly He sees you”. He said: “Then tell me about the Hour”. He said: “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.” He said: “Then tell me about its signs.” He said: “That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress and that you will see the barefooted, naked, destitute herdsman competing in constructing lofty buildings.” Then he took himself off and I stayed for a time. Then he said: “O Umar, do you know who the questioner was?” I said: “Allah and His messenger know best”. He said: “He was Gibreel (Gabriel), who came to you to teach you your religion”. [Reported by Muslim. Kitaab al-Imaan. Chapter: Imaan, Islaam and Ihsaan. Hadeeth Number: 8]
The testimony in this hadeeth is the statement of the Prophet, “He was Jibreel, who came to you to teach you your religion”. Therefore, the principle in the preceding hadeeth is that the Prophet asked a question concerning the Hour and its circumstances, and he established that it is something contained in religion. The trials and tribulations, circumstances, and strife associated with the (portents) of the Hour are from the religion, and it is not for anybody to speak about it based on their own (opinions, views, analysis, interpretations, etc.). [2]
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “The Hour will not be established till two big groups fight each other whereupon there will be a great number of casualties on both sides and they will be following one and the same path, till about thirty Dajjals (liars) appear and each one of them will claim that he is Allah’s Messenger, till religious knowledge is taken away (by the death of Religious scholars), earthquakes will increase in number; time will pass quickly, afflictions will appear, Al-Harj, (i.e., killing) will increase, till wealth will be in abundance – so abundant that a wealthy person will worry lest nobody should accept his Zakat, and whenever he will present it to someone, that person (to whom it will be offered) will say, ‘I am not in need of it, till the people compete with one another in constructing high buildings, till a man when passing by a grave of someone will say, ‘Would that I were in his place’ and till the sun rises from the West. So when the sun will rise and the people will see it (rising from the West) they will all believe (accept Islam) but that will be the time when: (as Allah said) [لاَ يَنْفَعُ نَفْسًا إِيمَانُهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ آمَنَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ، أَوْ كَسَبَتْ فِي إِيمَانِهَا خَيْرًا – no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he believed not before, nor earned good (by performing deeds of righteousness) through his Faith]. And the Hour will be established while two men spreading a garment in front of them but they will not be able to sell it, nor fold it up, and Hour will be established when a man has milked his she-camel and has taken away the milk but he will not be able to drink it, and Hour will be established before a man repairing a tank (for his livestock) is able to water (his animals) in it, and Hour will be established when a person has raised a morsel (of food) to his mouth but will not be able to eat it.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Hadeeth Number 7121]
Abu Zaid-Amr Bin Akhtab [may Allah be pleased with him] reported: Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] led us in the dawn prayer and then mounted the pulpit and addressed us until it was (time for the) noon prayer. He then came down the pulpit and observed prayer and then again mounted the pulpit and again addressed us until it was time for the ‘Asr prayer. He then again came down and observed the prayer and again mounted the pulpit and addressed us until the sun was set and he informed (us about) everything (pertaining to turmoil) that lay hidden in the past and what lies in (the womb) of) the future and the most learned amongst us is one who remembers them well. [ Saheeh Muslim 2892]
Imaam Muslim said: Chapter: The Conquest Of Constantinople, The Emergence Of The Dajjal And The Descent Of ‘Isa Bin Maryam [peace be upon him]: Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said: The Last Hour would not come until the Romans would land at al-A’maq or in Dabiq. An army consisting of the best (soldiers) of the people of the earth at that time will come from Medina (to counteract them). When they will arrange themselves in ranks, the Romans would say: Do not stand between us and those (Muslims) who took prisoners from amongst us. Let us fight with them; and the Muslims would say: Nay, by Allah, we would never get aside from you and from our brethren that you may fight them. They will then fight and a third (part) of the army will run away, whom Allah will never forgive. A third (part of the army) which would be constituted of excellent martyrs in Allah’s eye, would be killed and the third who would never be put to trial would win and they would be conquerors of Constantinople. And as they would be busy distributing the spoils of war (amongst themselves) after hanging their swords by the olive trees, Satan would cry: The Dajjal has taken your place among your family. They would then come out, but it would be of no avail. And when they would come to Syria, he would come out while they were still preparing themselves for battle drawing up the ranks. Certainly, the time of prayer shall come, and then Jesus (peace be upon him) son of Mary would descend and would lead them. When the enemy of Allah sees him, it would (disappear) just as the salt dissolves itself in water, and if he (Jesus) were not to confront them at all, even then it would dissolve completely, but Allah would kill them by his hand and he would show them their blood on his lance (the lance of Jesus Christ). [Saheeh Muslim. 2897]
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “By Allah in Whose Hands my soul is, son of Mary (Jesus) will shortly descend amongst you people (Muslims) as a just ruler and will break the Cross and kill the pig and abolish the Jizya (a tax taken from the non-Muslims, who are in the protection, of the Muslim government). Then money will be abundant and nobody will accept charitable gifts”. [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari 2222]
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “What would you do when the son of Mary would descend amongst you and would lead you as one amongst you? Ibn Abi Dhi’b on the authority of Abu Huraira narrated: Your leader amongst you. Ibn Abi Dhi’b said: Do you know what the words:” He would lead as one amongst you” mean? I said: Explain these to me. He said: He would lead you according to the Book of your: Lord (hallowed be He and most exalted) and the Sunnah of your Messenger”. [Saheeh Muslim 155]
Hudhaifah [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] stood before us one day and he did not leave anything unsaid (that he had to say) at that very spot which would happen (in the shape of turmoil) up to the Last Hour. Those who had to remember them preserved them in their minds and those who could not remember them forgot them. My friends knew them and there are certain things that slip out of my mind, but I recapitulate them when anyone makes a mention of them just as a person is lost from one’s mind but is recalled to him upon seeing his face. [Saheeh Muslim 2891]
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said: The Last Hour would not come before the Euphrates uncovers a mountain of gold, for which people would fight. Ninety-nine out of each one hundred would die but every man amongst them would say that perhaps he would be the one who would be saved (and thus possess this gold). [Saheeh Muslim 2894]
The Beast:
Allah says:
وَإِذَا وَقَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡلُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَهُمۡ دَآبَّةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ تُكَلِّمُهُمۡ أَنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ كَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا لَا يُوقِنُونَ
And when the Word (of torment) is fulfilled against them, We shall bring out from the earth a beast to them, which will speak to them because mankind believed not with certainty in Our Ayat (Verses of the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad).
Imaam As-Sadi [may Allah have mercy upon him] commented: Meaning, when the time comes for the warning, which Allah has decided; [أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَهُمۡ دَآبَّةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ – We shall bring out from the earth a beast to them] or one of the earth’s beasts, rather than the heavens. This beast [تُكَلِّمُهُمۡ – will speak to them]; Meaning, it would speak to the people about how they did not believe with certainty in Our (i.e. Allah’s) signs due to a lack of knowledge and certainty in Allah’s signs. So Allah will make this beast appear as one of His amazing signs to manifest to the people what they doubted. This beast is the well-known beast that will appear at the end of time, and it will be one of the (major) signs indicating the approach of the Day of Judgement, as mentioned in many Prophetic narrations. [3]
Abu Umaamah [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The beast will emerge and strike the people on their noses, then their numbers will increase among you until a man will buy a camel and they will say, ‘Who did you buy it from?’ and he will say, ‘I bought it from one of those with a mark on their noses’”. [Reported by Imaam Ahmad 22362 and declared authentic by Imaam Al Albaanee in As-Sisilah As-Saheehah. Number 322]
Anas [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “The Hour will not occur until ‘Allah, Allah’ is not said on earth.” [Saheeh Muslim 148]
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] said that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “When three things appear, faith will not benefit one who has not previously believed or has derived no good from his faith: the rising of the sun in its place of setting, the Dajjal, and the beast of the earth”. [Saheeh Muslim. Number 158]
Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] as follows: “In the Qur’aan and authentic Ahaadeeth there are numerous reports regarding that which will take place in the Dunyah and Aakhirah, and affairs that occurred perfectly after the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] spoke about them many years before their occurrence, such as his statement: ‘The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Turks; people with small eyes, red faces, and flat noses. Their faces will look like shields coated with leather. The Hour will not be established till you fight with people whose shoes are made of hair. [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Number 2928]
Those amongst the Muslims – who saw and fought those Turks when their king Genghis Khan appeared, his children and grandchildren, such as Hulagu Khan and other than him amongst the disbelieving kings- could not describe them better than how the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] described them [i.e. even though he did not meet them]. He stated this 600 years before its occurrence. [4]
These authentic narrations transmitted from the final infallible Messenger are enough for anyone who is protected from superstition and conjecture. The events before the last day on Earth as transmitted in the authentic divine texts of the final religion are not based on Hypotheses, rather, anyone who believes this to be the case is a misguided fool. Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَسْتَمِعُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَجَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا ۚ وَإِن يَرَوْا كُلَّ آيَةٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَا ۚ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءُوكَ يُجَادِلُونَكَ يَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ هَـٰذَا إِلَّا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
And of them there are some who listen to you; but We have set veils on their hearts, so they understand it not, and deafness in their ears; if they see every one of the Ayat (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) they will not believe therein; to the point that when they come to you to argue with you, the disbelievers say: “These are nothing but tales of the men of old.” [Surah Al-An’aam. Ayah 25]
Footnote b: He promised what neither belonged to him nor to the ones he promised, instead the land belongs to Allah and He will give it as inheritance to whomsoever He wills. From both a historical and religious perspective, the Zionists have no specific claim to Palestine.
The children of Israel are the descendants of (Prophet) Ya’qub [peace be upon him]. Their first entry into Palestine was with Yu’sha Bin Noon [peace be upon him] after the death of Musa [peace be upon him] during his travels from one place to another, and after they initially refused to fight (after being commanded to do so). There were three tribes in Palestine before the children of Israel took control of it: they were the Phoenicians who inhabited it around the year 3000 BC, and they settled in the northern region of the Mediterranean Sea. And the Canaanites descended south of the Phoenicians and occupied the central region of Palestine in the year 2500 BC. These were Arab tribes migrating from the Arabian Peninsula, then groups came from the Island of Crete around the year 1200 BC. It was called [فلستين] and was situated between Jaffa and Gaza on the Mediterranean Sea. The Canaanites called these people [فلسطين] and the name prevailed over the entire region, so it became referred to as [فلسطين]. According to what the Jews mentioned in their books, and what was written in the history of the region is that these peoples continued (residing) in the region. Many wars between them and the Children of Israel and the Jews occurred, which continued throughout the presence of the Jews in that region. Therefore, from a historical perspective, it becomes clear to us that the Jews were not the first to inhabit Palestine, but rather they entered it or some of it and captured parts of it after it had been in the possession of these people.
As for the religious perspective, Allah revealed in the Qur’an that Musa [peace be upon him] said:
[يَا قَوْمِ ادْخُلُوا الْأَرْضَ الْمُقَدَّسَةَ الَّتِي كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَرْتَدُّوا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا خَاسِرِينَ – O my people! Enter the holy land (Palestine) which Allah has assigned to you, and turn not back (in flight) for then you will be returned as losers. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Ayah 21]
Regarding Allah’s statement [كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ – Which Allah has assigned to you], Ibn Ishaq [may Allah have mercy upon him] said (meaning), “Which Allah has bestowed on you”. As-Sa’diy [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, (meaning), “Which Allah has commanded you (to enter)”. Al-Qataadah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “The people were commanded (to enter) just as we are commanded to perform the prayer, pay the Zakat, perform Hajj and Umrah”.
So, according to some of the Scholars, Allah’s statement [كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ – Which Allah has assigned to you] does not mean to ownership. And based according to others, it means ownership on the condition that they entered it. And others say that it was a gift to them. This makes clear the meaning of “Which Allah has assigned to you” alongside the fact that there is no proof in this that they have a (specific) right to Palestine, and that is because Allah bestows many blessings on His faithful servants whilst they are in that state of (sound) faith, and it is for them whilst they are in that state of (sound) faith. But in the case of disbelief, they have no right to it. When Allah commanded the children of Israel to enter, they turned away, so He prevented them from entering, but when they responded and were obedient, Allah granted it to them. This is why Imaam Ibn Katheer [may Allah have mercy upon him said about the Ayah: “A promise that Allah has made and conveyed by your father Israel that he will bequeath it to those of you who believe”. Therefore, it was theirs whilst they were in that state of (sound) faith, but as for in their state of disbelief (in the final Messenger and seal of the Prophets), they have no right to it. This is demonstrated by Allah’s statement:
فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ لَنُهْلِكَنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ وَلَنُسْكِنَنَّكُمُ الْأَرْضَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامِي وَخَافَ وَعِيدِ
Their Lord inspired them [i.e. the Prophets]: “Truly, We shall destroy the Zalimun (disbelievers and wrong-doers.). And indeed, We shall make you dwell in the land after them [i.e. the disbelievers]. This is for him who fears standing before Me (on the Day of Resurrection or fears My Punishment) and also fears My Threat”. [Surah Ibraaheem. Ayaat 13-14]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَلَقَدۡ ڪَتَبۡنَا فِى ٱلزَّبُورِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱلذِّكۡرِ أَنَّ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِىَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُونَ
And indeed We have written in Zabur and after (We have already written in the) Dhikr that My righteous servants shall inherit the land. [Surah Al-Anbiya. Ayah 105]. [5]
Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated: Based on this, for example, the land of the Arabs is not for the Arabs, the land of the Persians is not for the Persians, and the land of the Romans is not for the Romans (i.e. Allah can give it to others). The land belongs to Allah and He gives it as a heritage to whom He will, and they are the righteous servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Whoever disbelieves in Allah and is too proud to obey Him has no right to the land. Allah gives it as a heritage to whomever He wills of the righteous servants. Based on this, if the children of Israel said, “The land of Shaam is ours because Musa [peace be upon him] said: [يَا قَوْمِ ادْخُلُوا الْأَرْضَ الْمُقَدَّسَةَ الَّتِي كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ – O my people! Enter the holy land (Palestine) which Allah has assigned to you], we say: Indeed, Musa [peace be upon him] said this because at that time you were righteous people and the righteous servants of Allah, and the earth belongs to Allah Who gives it as a heritage to whomever He wishes from among His righteous servants. However, after the advent of Islam and you disbelieved in it, you became unworthy of (this inheritance), and the righteous and believers in Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]- those who follow him – became its inheritors.
Before the Muslims were expelled (from this inherited land), it was occupied by the Roman Christians (who inherited it from) the Jews because they were the righteous after the Jews; then the Muslims occupied it after them because they are the righteous servants of Allah. So, the land of Shaam was written as an inheritance for the righteous (as Allah said): [وَلَقَدۡ ڪَتَبۡنَا فِى ٱلزَّبُورِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱلذِّكۡرِ أَنَّ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِىَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُونَ – And indeed We have written in Zabur and after (We have already written in) Dhikr that My righteous servants shall inherit the land].
Due to this, the Children of Israel (inherited the land from) those people in the sacred land who had great strength because they were upon the truth; then the Christians inherited it from the Jews because they were the people of truth, then the Muslims inherited it from the Christians because they are the people of truth. Based on this, the Yahood at present have no (specific) right to Palestine or any other part of Allah’s earth. Therefore, if the Muslims become righteous and return to their true religion, through which Allah will grant them the heritage of their land, they will regain the land.
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ
Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them…[Surah An-Nur. Ayah 55] [6]
Therefore, Mr Naftali Zionist Bennett’s statement “colonialists expelled the Jews several times” is a statement of truth mingled with a repugnant and absurd assertion designed to cover their tracks, create an illusion, divert attention from the facts, portray themselves positively and others negatively, gain sympathy and benefit, distort how others see the circumstances and convey a misleading impression to others about themselves and people around them. That is because even though Bani Israel was expelled from the land several times, they were not indigenous to the land, rather, the indigenous to the land were those who inhabited it before Bani Israel’s arrival. In addition, Allah says:
وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ فِى ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَتُفۡسِدُنَّ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَرَّتَيۡنِ وَلَتَعۡلُنَّ عُلُوًّ۬ا ڪَبِيرً۬ا
And We decreed for the Children of Israel in the Scripture, that indeed you would do mischief on the earth twice and you will become tyrants and extremely arrogant! [Al-Israa. Ayah 4]– Meaning, We have declared, made a covenant with them and told them in their book that corruption will certainly occur from them on earth twice through committing sins, showing ingratitude to Allah for His Blessings, exalting themselves on earth and being arrogant therein; and that when one of these two (occasions) come to pass, Allah will give power to their enemies and take revenge on them, and this is an admonition and warning to them so that they may return to obedience and take heed. [a]
فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ أُولَٮٰهُمَا بَعَثۡنَا عَلَيۡڪُمۡ عِبَادً۬ا لَّنَآ أُوْلِى بَأۡسٍ۬ شَدِيدٍ۬ فَجَاسُواْ خِلَـٰلَ ٱلدِّيَارِۚ وَكَانَ وَعۡدً۬ا مَّفۡعُولاً۬
So, when the promise came for the first of the two, We sent against you slaves of Ours given to terrible warfare. They entered the very innermost parts of your homes. And it was a promise (completely) fulfilled. [Al-Israa. Ayah 5] – Meaning, the first of the two occasions during which they become corrupt; when such corruption occurred among them, We sent on you – by way of our all-encompassing divine will and decree- recompense (punishment) at the hands of those people with courage, large numbers, and armed, so, Allah gave them victory over you. They killed you, took your children away, plundered your wealth, invaded and destroyed your homes, entered the Sacred Masjid (Baytul Maqdis), and violated it. It was decreed to take place for a reason from themselves. The Qur’an commentators differed regarding the identity of those people who were sent to overpower them, but they agreed that they were unbelievers. Either they were from the people of Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula, or elsewhere, whom Allah gave (the strength) to overpower the Children of Israel when their sins became rife, they abandoned much of their Shariah, and transgressed in the land. [b]
ثُمَّ رَدَدۡنَا لَكُمُ ٱلۡڪَرَّةَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ وَأَمۡدَدۡنَـٰكُم بِأَمۡوَٲلٍ۬ وَبَنِينَ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰكُمۡ أَڪۡثَرَ نَفِيرًا
Then We gave you once again, a return of victory over them. And We helped you with wealth and children and made you more numerous in manpower. [Al-Israa. Ayah 6] – Meaning, (gave you victory) against those who overpowered you, so you expelled them from your land; increased your sustenance and number, and gave you strength over them because of your righteous deeds and submission to Allah. [c]
إِنۡ أَحۡسَنتُمۡ أَحۡسَنتُمۡ لِأَنفُسِكُمۡۖ وَإِنۡ أَسَأۡتُمۡ فَلَهَاۚ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ لِيَسُـۥۤـُٔواْ وُجُوهَڪُمۡ وَلِيَدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدَ ڪَمَا دَخَلُوهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ۬ وَلِيُتَبِّرُواْ مَا عَلَوۡاْ تَتۡبِيرًا
(And We said): ‘If you do good, you do good for your ownselves, and if you do evil, then it is (to your ownselves).’ Then when the later promise came to pass (We enabled your enemies) to put sorrow on your faces (by conquering and enslaving you) and to enter the Mosque (of Jerusalem), as they had entered it the first time, and to destroy everything they came upon with utter destruction. [Al-Israa. Ayah 7] [d]
“If you do good, you do good for your ownselves” because the benefit will return to you, even in this world (before the hereafter) as you witnessed when Allah aided you against your enemies. “And if you do evil, then it is (to your ownselves)”- meaning, the harm will return upon yourselves, as Allah showed you by empowering the enemies. [e]
“Then when the later promise came to pass”– Meaning, the next time you spread corruption on earth, We made your enemies overpower you “to put sorrow on your faces (by conquering and enslaving you)”- Meaning, given victory over you, capture you, and enter the Sacred Masjid as they entered it the first time, and what is meant by the Masjid is Baytul Maqdis; “and to destroy everything they came upon with utter destruction”– Meaning, destroy your homes, Masjids and crops. [f]
عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمۡ أَن يَرۡحَمَكُمۡۚ وَإِنۡ عُدتُّمۡ عُدۡنَاۘ وَجَعَلۡنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ حَصِيرًا
(Thereafter Allāh said): ‘Perhaps your Lord may show mercy to you (if you repent), but if you return (to your sinful ways), then We shall return (to punishment). And we have made Hell an enclosure for the disbelievers. [Al-Israa. Ayah 8] [g]
Within these verses (Al-Israa 7 and 8) is a warning to this Ummah against committing acts of disobedience lest what afflicted the Children of Israel afflict them as well. The sunnah (way) of Allāh is one, it does not change or become altered. Whoever looks (and reflects) upon the empowerment of the disbelievers and oppressors against the Muslims will come to know that this was due to their sins, as a punishment to them (to make them realise) that if they enact and establish the Book of Allāh and the Sunnah of His Messenger, He will grant them firm authority in the land and aid them against their enemies. [h]
Footnote c: Allah says: [وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُوَلِّى بَعْضَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ بَعْضًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ – And thus We do make the Zalimun (disbelievers in Allah and His final Messenger] supporters and helpers one to another (in committing crimes etc.) because of that which they used to earn. [Surah Al-An’aam. Ayah 129]
[1] An Excerpt from “As-Sahyuniyyah An-Nasraaniyyah, Diraasah Fee Daw’i Al-Aqeedah Al-islaamiyyah”. pgs 409-410
[2] An Excerpt from Mawqiful Muslim Minal Fitan. Pages 15-18
[3] An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi
[4] An Excerpt from Al-Jawaabus Saheeh Liman Baddala Deen Al-Maseeh. 2/65-67. slightly paraphrased
[5] An Excerpt from “Diraaasaat Fil Ad’yaan Al-Yahoodiyyah Wan-Nasraaniyyah. pages 65-67. Publisher: Daar Adwaa As-Salaf. 6th Edition 1439AH (2018).
[6] An Excerpt from “Tafseer Surah An-Nur”. Ayah 55. Slightly paraphrased
[Refs a, b, c & f]: Tafseer As-Sadi
[Refs d, e, g & h]: Translator of verses Shaikh Abu Iyaad [may Allah preserve him] [Source of Tafseer: (Tafseer As-sadi)
https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/verse/17/7
https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/verse/17/8
