Asalamu alaykum,
I was recently asked this question and hope this answer helps?
The Question: “Does the Qur’an call Jews pigs and apes? And it is allowed for Muslims to do so?”
Answer:
Thanks for your question.:
In the second chapter of the Qur’an there is the story of the people of the Sabbath who failed to abide by Allah’s commands. Thus, according to the Qur’an they were turned into pigs and apes. However, there are a few important points to this story:
1. It does not refer to all the people of the Jewish faith, but only a certain group of people from the followers of Musa.
2. It is not appropriate for one to call people of the Jewish tradition “pigs and apes” or “sons of pigs and apes” since, besides being extremely rude, it is not correct. All major commentators of Quran mention that these pigs and apes did not reproduce but died off. Sh. Yusuf al-Qaradwi noted this mentioning that one should not do so. Finally, Muslims are ordered by Allah to “Speak that which is best” and to “Call unto the way of your Lord with wisdom.” Thus, it is not befitting for a Muslim to be lowly in his discourse, rude in his manners and bigoted towards others. Allah says, “[you must] be just. It is closer to piety.”
We ask Allah to raise our stations and grant us noble characters.
Suhaib
Welcome back, suhaibwebb.com.
More Qur’an posts please! Thank you.
Thank your for clarifying this sidi.
Jazakumallahu khairan Shaikh Imam Suhaib, may Allah bless you for propogating the knowledge, may Allah keep you and this website going for a long long time
As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Jazak Allahu khayran, dear brother.
Would it be okay for me to translate some of your blog posts, like this one, and post them on my blog ( http://sunnidk.wordpress.com )? I would off course credit you and link back to your original post. The translation will be to danish.
BarakAllahu feek, dear Imam.
May Allah reward you and let us learn from you.
Was-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
There is a principle in Judaism that a person does not obey Allah that person is considered beneath an animal. An animal does not have intellect as we do and it does as Allah wishes. When a Jew who like all humans has the intelect and capacity to discern the truth and obey Allah’s commands fails to do so he is beneath the animal.
I find it interesting that one would postulate from this account in the Quran that all Jews are Pigs and Apes.
Even if those Jews who were transformed in this manner did reproduce would not the offspring be Pigs and Apes? I never met a Jew with four legs and rolling around in mud. Nor have I met a Jew with hair all over and eating bananas. I am poking a little fun, but you see my point I am sure.
It is advantageous for those who want to divide the Muslim and Jewish community with hate and fear to propogate this falsehood that all Jews are pigs and apes.
Remember how Muhammad pbuh treated the Jews of his time. We should emulate the Prophet pbuh in this manner as we do so dillegently in all others.
sunnidk:
Asalamu alaykum,
You are free to translate whatever you like.
SDW