JEWS OF MADINAH Reflection of prophetic historyJews in Yathrib: - A brief history. - Jewish opposition to Islam. - The Prophet’s treatment of Jews

Al-yehud (Judah): comes from the root word haada, yahuudu, haudan, which means to repent and return to the truth.

They were named as Yehud due to several reasons:

1) They are the nation which always banished from many states all around the world, and they always wish to be guided to return to Mount of Zion at Jerusalem.

2)It’s the name for their religion, which means people who receive guidance. In English, it is called Judaism.

BRIEF HISTORY OF JEWS

Qur’an uses the words of “al-Yehud” and “Bani Israil” to represent the Jews.

3) It was the name Yehudh (د and

of the eldest from the 12 sons )ذ

of Prophet Ya’qub who had the

most offspring, thus make his

descendants as the biggest among

the 12 tribes of the Jews race.

When their kingdom splat into

two (Yehudh and Israel), Yehudh

was the bigger and stronger, even

if it perished before the later.

Thus in later time, all Jews use

this name for themselves.

When Qur’an uses the word “al-Yahud”, it’s normally to express their negative sides as they perceived that they are people who chosen by God to be guided. For example, Qur’an says:

 ”The Jews say: “The Christians have nothing to stand on” and the Christians say “The Jews have nothing to stand on”  (al-Baqarah: 112)

“The Jews will never be pleased with you, nor will the Christians, unless you follow their faith.” (al-Baqarah: 120)

While Bani Israel derived from:- Bani: means descendants- Israel: one of the name of Prophet Yaaqub. Israel is a Biblical given name.

The patriarch Jacob was given the name Israel (Hebrew: יש�ראל, Standard Yisraʾel Tiberian Yiśrāʾēl; "Triumphant with God", "who prevails with God") after he wrestled with God. (Genesis 32:28 and 35:10).

- From different interpretation, Israel means “God Contended”. - Here, “El” is Allah in Hebrew language.

When Qur’an uses the word “Bani Israil”, it’s normally to express their human sides, as it’s mean you are descendants of a human name Israel, whom Allah loved. Thus, you should follow his footstep as servant of Allah. Qur’an says:

“O Children of Isra’il (Israel), remember My blessing that I conferred upon you,”  (al-Baqarah: 40, 47, 122)

“(Remember) when We took a pledge from the children of Isra’il (Israel): “You shall not worship anyone other than Allah; and you shall do good to the parents, and to near of kin, and to orphans and the needy. And say to the people what is good, and be steadfast in Salah (prayer), and pay Zakah.” (al-Baqarah: 83)

They also know by other names like:

• Hebrew: late Old English, from Old French Ebreu, from Latin Hebraeus, from

Greek Hebraios, from Aramaic 'ebhrai, corresponding to Hebrew 'ibhri "an

Israelite," literally "one from the other side,“ or “cross over” in reference to

the River Euphrates, or perhaps simply signifying "immigrant;" from 'ebher

"region on the other or opposite side.“

• Semitic: Descendants of Sem bin Nuh. Prophet Nuh was narrated had 4 sons

who became fathers of all nations in the world. Ham, Sam, Yafith and fourth

who rejected his call and thus drown in the Great Flood. In Musnad Ahmad,

Prophet SAW said, “Sam father for Arabs, Ham father of Sudan, Yafith father

of Turk”.

To run away from Roman suppression and look for a fertile land between two black

land to welcome the Last Prophet.

Salman was told by his last Christian sage:

“He will be sent with the religion of Abraham and will come forth in Arabia where he

will emigrate from his home to a place between two lava tracts, a country of palms.

His signs are manifest: he will eat of a gift but not if it is given as alms, and between

his shoulders is the seal of prophesy.”

HOW JEWS CAME TO YATHRIB?

JEWISH OPPOSITION AGAINST PROPHET (PBUH)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) 12 years old –Abu Talib business – Busra – Christian

priest – beware of Jews – return to Makkah.

Story of Safiyyah during Prophet (pbuh)’s first day at Madinah

“The Jews shall maintain their own religion and the Muslims

theirs. Loyalty is a protection against treachery. The close friends

of Jews are as themselves. None of them shall go out on a

military expedition except with the permission of Muhammad,

but he shall not be prevented from taking revenge for a wound.

When Prophet (pbuh) migrated to Madinah, he made a treaty with Jews consisting

following particulars:

“The Jews shall be responsible for their expenses and the Believers for theirs. Each,

if attacked, shall come to the assistance of the other.

Whatever difference or dispute between the parties to this covenant remains unsolved

shall be referred to Allah and to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah. Allah is the

Guarantor of the piety and goodness that is embodied in this covenant. Neither the

Quraysh nor their allies shall be given any protection.

“The contracting parties are bound to help one another against any attack on Yathrib. If

they are called to cease hostilities and to enter into peace, they shall be bound to do so in

the interest of peace; and if they make a similar demand on Muslims it must be carried

out except when the war is agianst their religion.`

In 2H, Bani Qainuqa’s harassment on a Muslim woman sparked a war that led to

the banishment of Bani Qainuqa.

In 4H, Bani Nadhir assassination attempt on Prophet SAW led to their banishment.

In 5H, Bani Quraizah violated the treaty with Muslims during the Battle of Ditch

which led to their banishment.

Bani Qainuqa’ and Bani Nadhir headed to North and re-assembled at Khaibar.

They keep supporting every attempt against Muslim in Madinah. It continued until

Prophet SAW decided to attack Khaibar on 7H.

CONFLICTS BETWEEN MUSLIMS & JEWS

- Attempt to assassinate Prophet (pbuh)

- Bani Nadhir

- Zainab bint al-Harith

- Cooperation with Muslims’ enemy

- Quraish

- Hypocrites

- Enmity towards whoever lenient to Prophet (pbuh):

- Abdullah bin Salam

- Ex-husband of Safiya bint Huyay

- The Jews tried to sucked Muslim’s money:

- Salman al-Farisi.

- The Well of Uthman

A Jew once approached the Prophet SAW and told him that a man from the Ansari

had slapped him and as such the Jew was in great distress.  The Prophet SAW

summoned his companion and asked him why he had slapped the man.  His

companion replied that he did so because the Jew provoked Muslims by

proclaimed that Moses was the supreme prophet, even more supreme than the

Prophet Muhammad SAW in the middle of the market, not inside their synagogue,

due to this assertion on the behalf of the Jew, the Muslim was infuriated by

him.  Rather than siding with his Muslim companion, the Prophet SAW became

very disturbed and told his companion to never give preference to him over other

prophets.

EXAMPLES OF HOW PROPHET (PBUH) DEALT WITH THEM?

- A funeral procession was passing in a street of Medina.  When the

procession passed by the Prophet SAW, he stood up in respect.  Seeing the

Prophet’s reaction to the procession, a companion approached the Prophet

SAW and told him that this funeral procession was for a Jew.  The Prophet

SAW replied, “Was a Jew not a human being?”  This single sentence

guaranteed that Muslims would respect all humans including Jews.

- Prophet SAW mortgaged his armor to a Jewish to promote tolerance for

them.

- Prophet SAW allowed them to take punishment from their own Holy Book

like in the punishment of a Jew who committed adultery.