Jewish History

And when your Lord took from the children of Adam their descendants and made them testify about themselves, saying, “Am I not your Lord?” They replied, “Yes, we bear witness.” This was so you would not say on the Day of Judgment, “We were unaware of this.”

And when they were told, “Live in this town and eat freely, but say ‘Relieve us’ and enter the gate humbly, We will forgive your sins and increase the reward for those who do good.”

But the wrongdoers among them changed the words they were given, so We sent down a punishment from the sky for their defiance.

When they ignored the warnings, We saved those who forbade evil and seized the wrongdoers with a dreadful punishment for their defiance.

Ask them about the town by the sea, when they violated the Sabbath. Their fish would come to them abundantly on their Sabbath, but on other days, they would not appear. Thus, We tested them for their wrongdoing.

When a group among them said, “Why do you warn those whom Allah will destroy or punish severely?” They replied, “To fulfil our duty before your Lord, and perhaps they will become mindful.”

Then successors came after them who inherited the Scripture but chose the fleeting gains of this world, saying, “We will be forgiven.” Yet if similar gains came their way, they would seize them again. Was the covenant of the Scripture not that they should only speak the truth about Allah? They studied it well.

And remember when We raised the mountain above them as if it were a shadow, and they thought it would fall upon them. We said, “Hold firmly to what We have given you and remember what is in it, so that you may be mindful.”

And remember when your Lord declared that He would send against them others who would afflict them with severe torment until the Day of Judgment.

Qarun was of Moses’ people, but he oppressed them. We gave him treasures whose keys alone would burden a strong group.

Seek the Hereafter with what Allah has given you, but do not forget your share of this world. Do good as Allah has done good to you, and do not seek corruption in the land

He said, “I was given this because of my knowledge.” Did he not know that Allah had destroyed generations before him who were stronger and wealthier? The guilty are not questioned about their sins.

Then he emerged before his people in his splendour. Those who desired worldly life said, “If only we had what Qarun has, he is truly fortunate.”

Allah’s reward is better for those who believe and do good, but only the patient will attain it.”

Then We caused the earth to swallow him and his home. He had no force to help him against Allah, nor could he save himself.

And remember when Allah took a covenant from the prophets, saying, ‘I have given you the Book and wisdom. Then, if a messenger comes to confirm what you have, you must believe in him and support him.’ He asked, ‘Do you acknowledge and accept this commitment?’ They replied, ‘We acknowledge it.’ He said, ‘Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.’

We gave the Children of Israel the Scripture, wisdom, and prophethood. We provided them with good things

And We gave them clear rulings. Yet they differed only after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves. Your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection regarding what they used to dispute.

The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah but failed to uphold it is like a donkey carrying books. What a miserable example of people who reject Allah’s signs.

And recall when We took your covenant and raised the mountain above you, saying, 'Hold firmly to what We have given you and remember its teachings, so that you may be mindful.'

Ask them, 'Have you received a promise from Allah? For Allah never breaks His promise. Or are you saying something about Allah that you do not know?'

This Qur’an clarifies much of what the Children of Israel dispute.

O Children of Israel, remember My favour upon you. Fulfil your covenant with Me, and I will fulfil Mine with you. So be in awe of Me alone.

And remember when We took a covenant from the Children of Israel: 'Do not worship anyone but Allah, be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy. Speak kindly to people, establish prayer, and give charity.' But you turned away, except for a few, and you were heedless.

Allah took a covenant from the Children of Israel, appointing twelve leaders among them. He said, “I am with you, if you establish prayer, give charity, believe in My messengers, support them, and lend to Allah a good loan, I will erase your sins and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow. But whoever turns away has strayed far.”

And recall when We took your covenant and raised the mountain above you, saying, 'Hold firmly to what We have given you and remember its teachings, so that you may be mindful.'

And recall when We took your covenant and raised the mountain above you, saying, 'Hold firmly to what We have given you and listen.' But they said, 'We hear and disobey,' and their hearts were filled with love for the calf. Say, 'How evil is what your faith commands if it leads you to such defiance!'

We raised the mountain above them as a sign of their covenant, commanding them to enter the gate in humility and to honour the Sabbath. We took from them a solemn pledge.

Yet after that, you turned away. Had it not been for Allah’s grace and mercy, you would have surely been lost.

All food was lawful for the Children of Israel except what they forbade themselves before the Torah was revealed.

Because of their wrongdoing, We forbade certain good things that had once been lawful to them, and for their persistent efforts to turn others away from Allah’s path.

To the Jews, We forbade every animal with an uncloven hoof, and of cattle and sheep, We forbade their fat, except what adheres to their backs, entrails, or bones. This was their recompense for their wrongdoing

We forbade certain things to the Jews, and We did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves.

Today, all good things are lawful, including the food of the People of the Book, and your food is lawful for them.

We shaded you with clouds and sent down manna and quails, saying, 'Eat from the good things We have provided.' But they did not wrong Us; rather, they wronged themselves.

And recall when We said, 'Enter this town and eat freely from its abundance, but enter humbly and say, "Grant us forgiveness," so We may pardon your sins and increase the reward of the righteous.'

Because of their wrongdoing, We forbade certain good things that had once been lawful to them, and for their persistent efforts to turn others away from Allah’s path.

They took interest despite its prohibition and consumed people’s wealth unjustly. We have prepared a painful punishment for them.

In it, We decreed: life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal in retribution. But whoever forgives out of charity, it is an expiation for him. Those who do not judge by Allah’s law are wrongdoers.

Have you not seen the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses? They said to their prophet, ‘Appoint for us a king so we may fight in Allah’s cause.’ He replied, ‘What if you refuse to fight when commanded?’ They said, ‘Why would we not fight when we have been driven from our homes and children?’ Yet when fighting was ordained, they turned away, except for a few.

Their prophet said, ‘Allah has appointed Saul (Talut) as your king.’ They objected, ‘How can he be king when we are more worthy, and he has no great wealth?’ He replied, ‘Allah has chosen him over you and granted him knowledge and strength. Allah gives kingship to whomever He wills

Their prophet continued, ‘The sign of his kingship is that the Ark will come to you, carrying tranquility from your Lord and relics left by Moses and Aaron’s family. It will be brought by angels. Surely, this is a sign for you if you are truly believers.’

When Saul set out with his troops, he said, ‘Allah will test you with a river. Whoever drinks from it is not with me, but whoever refrains, except for a handful, is with me.’ Yet most of them drank their fill. When he and the believers crossed it, they said, ‘We have no strength today against Goliath and his army.’ But those who were certain they would meet Allah said, ‘How often has a small group triumphed over a larger one by Allah’s will? Allah is with those who remain steadfast.’

Those to whom We gave the Scripture rejoice in what has been revealed to you, but among them are those who reject parts of it. Say, “I am only commanded to worship Allah and associate none with Him. To Him I call, and to Him is my return.”