By: Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi*
Reality of the Promised Land:
Today's Jews or so-called Children of Israel have occupied Palestine on the basis of their baseless claim. They claim that they are the real owners of Palestine. It is their belief that Allah the Almighty promised the land of Palestine to Sayyiduna Ibrahim (Aleihis Salam!). That is why the Jews call the land of Palestine "The Promised Land". Then they connect their history with the land of Palestine in the ways that that land was given to their great grandfather Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS), once upon a time the Jews were found at that land, their ancestors ruled there for a long period of time, their temple was built at the same land, Dawood (AS) was buried there, their holy wall known as "The Wailing Wall" is located in the western side of Al-Aqsa Mosque, they have their spiritual relation with this land, that land is sacred for them and so on. In today's world, just as the followers of different ideologies, views and civilizations have the freedom to express their thoughts, views and beliefs, in the same way, Jews also have the right and freedom to express their views, thoughts and beliefs. But they don’t have the right to impose their beliefs and ideas on others and make them binding on them. The believers of any religion, on the basis of their thoughts and beliefs, including Jews, don’t have the right to expel a nation from their homes, occupy their places of worship, their heritage, grab their lands, usurp their houses and shops to build the houses there to hand them over to the followers of their own religion and beliefs. If one does so, it is a crime morally, socially and legally.
The Jews believe that Allah promised the land of Palestine to Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS), based on the following texts: “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you’.” (Genesis: 12:1) Also that: “Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’.” (Genesis: 12:7) In addition to the above texts, referring to some other texts found in the Torah, the Jews call Palestine the "Promised Land" and they assert that they have their right on it. Regarding the reality of the Promised Land, the Pope of the Christians is of the opinion that the promise is very dubious. Christian scholars believe that the promise in the Bible is subject to many conditions. But the Jews disobeyed Allah, they didn’t fulfill those conditions and started misdeeds at that land; therefore, Allah punished the Jews and now this promise no longer has any significance. (For details, see: Al-Quds Qadhiyyah Kalli Muslim by Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, pp. 76-80)
Refusal of Israelites to Enter Palestine and Punishment:
Undoubtedly the Israelites were stubborn, rebellious and miserable people. They disobeyed Sayyiduna Musa (PBUH) not only after him, but also during his lifetime and refused to obey Allah’s commandments. Their conditions in Egypt were not favorable. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, enslaved them. They spent a period of 430 years in Egypt in great suffering. Then there came a time, when Allah the Almighty drowned Pharaoh and his army and ordered the Israelites to go and settle in Palestine, which was destined for them. (But it doesn’t mean that Allah Almighty made Palestine the “Promised Land” for them forever and they will always live in Palestine, as they assert.) At that time, Palestine was ruled by a nation called Amalek. The nation was infidel. The Israelites, therefore, had been ordered to fight against them. Allah had promised that the Israelites would be victorious in the fight. According to this order, Sayyiduna Musa (AS) left for Palestine. When these people reached close to Palestine, they came to know that the Amalekites are of huge size, very strong and unusual people. As a result, the Israelites were afraid of the defeat and forgot that Allah had promised them the victory over them and His promise will be fulfilled. However, they refused to enter Palestine and were punished for it. When Sayyiduna Musa (AS) told them to walk towards Palestine; see what they replied him: They said, “O Musa, we shall never enter it, in any case, so long as they are there. So go, you and your Lord, and fight. As for us, we are sitting right here.” (Al-Maaidah: 24) Allah Almighty punished the Israelites, because of this disobedience and silly reply. The punishment was that they were banned from entering Palestine for 40 years. They wandered in a small area of the Sinai desert, the wilderness of Teeh. There was no way forward, nor to go back to Egypt. They would walk whole day long, when it is evening, they would reach the same spot, from where they started off in the morning. The Holy Quran speaks: “He (Allah) said, ‘This (land) is prohibited to them for forty years. They shall be wandering around the earth. So, do not grieve for the sinning people.” (Al-Maaidah: 26) The Holy Quran has described the refusal of the Israelites to enter Palestine, their disobedience and the punishment given to them in these two verses.
Israelites didn’t Own Even a Piece of Land in Palestine for 700 Years:
It is worth mentioning, from the time of the migration of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS), the time of Sayyiduna Ishaq (AS), then the time of Yaqub (AS), then his migration to Egypt with his family members, then following 430 years later, their returning back to Palestine and wandering as punishment for 40 years in the plain of the Sinai desert, that’s a long period of almost “Seven Hundred years”. According to the explanation of the Torah, during this period, the Israelites didn’t own even a single piece of the land in Palestine. It is an important question, if Palestine is the “promised land” for them; why couldn’t they own even a single piece of land in Palestine for such a long time? The reason behind it is that they used to come and go as travellers and strangers and they used to take refuge in Palestine when needed. It is a fact that a traveller doesn’t become the owner of the place where he travels to or takes refuge in. (Al-Quds Qadhiyyah Kallu Muslim, pp: 50-51)
Palestine doesn’t belong to Jews:
Jews have no right over the land of Palestine. The reason behind it is that this land was given to the Israelites; when they, under the guidance of Allah’s Prophets (Peace be upon them!), raised the flag of the Oneness of Allah and remained steadfast on Oneness. When they deviated from the message of Allah and His Prophets, alter the divine message, killed the Prophets (PBUT) and spread corruption on the earth; then their disgrace and humiliation started. They were expelled from Palestine in humiliation. They were enslaved by some of the rulers of that time and were thrown out of Baitul Maqdis. It was a kind of chastisement that was given to them at that time. Keeping all these points in mind, it becomes clear that Palestine doesn’t belong to Jews.
Muslims are the True Followers of Ibrahim (AS):
After Sayyiduna Muhammad (SAWS) being blessed with the prophet-hood, Muslims are the true flag bearers of the Oneness of Allah and the true inheritors of the prophetic legacy. Muslims are the only Ummah that believes in the Oneness of Allah and conveys the messages and teachings of Prophets (PBUT) to the people. Inviting them towards Islam is actually a continuation and extension of the preaching of Sayyiduna Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub, Musa, Yusha, Dawood, Sulaiman, Isaa and other prophets (PBUT). So, following the deviation of the Israelites from the messages of these prophets, now the Muslims are the most deserving of their inheritance. It is important to note here that the land of Palestine was not given to the Israelites, because they belonged to a particular race, tribe or family; therefore the issue of claiming the right over the land of Palestine is not related to family; rather, it is related to the following the paths, methods and messages of these prophets. Now, Muslims believe that the mission of these Prophets (PBUT) is the mission of Muslims, their preaching work is the work of Muslims, their history is the history of Muslims, their legacy is the legacy of Muslims and the opportunity which was given by Allah to the descendants of Ibrahim (PBUH) and their followers to rule that land, now the Muslims are more deserving of that opportunity; because today the real followers of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (PBUH) are Muslims. Those who call themselves the children of Israel today aren’t the true followers of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (PBUH). Allah says:
“Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian. But he was upright, a Muslim, and was not one of those who associate partners with Allah. The closest of people to Ibrahim are those who followed him, and this prophet, and those who believe; and Allah is the Guardian of all believers.” (Aal Imraan: 67-68)
Under the commentary of the above verse is written: “Jews used to say that Ibrahim (Peace be upon him!) had been a Jew; therefore, we cannot leave Judaism. The Christians used to call Ibrahim (PBUH) a Christian. Both of these claims were clearly contrary to rationality and the historical facts; since Judaism and Christianity came into existence centuries after Ibrahim (PBUH). The Glorious Quran has warned against this ignorance and stated that the fact based on the principle is that Ibrahim (PBUH) was the flag bearer of monotheism and he hated polytheism. If you really want to adopt the model of Ibrahim (AS), then hold on to the religion of the monotheism towards which Muhammad (SAWS), the Messenger of Allah is calling. (Aasaan Tafsire Qur’an, Part I, p: 247)
Here is another verse of the Glorious Qur’an and let’s see what Prophet Ibrahim and Ya’qub (PBUT) had exhorted to their children, then let’s ponder over whether today’s Jews are acting upon their exhortation. The Holy Qura’an speaks:
“And Ibrahim exhorted the same to his sons, and so did Yaqub (Jacob): “My sons, Allah has certainly chosen for you the Faith. So, let not death overtake you but as Muslims.” (Al-Baqarah: 132)
Entitlement to the Leadership of Ibrahim (AS):
Let’s recite one more verse of the Holy Qur’an and let’s reflect that to deserve the leadership and legacy of Ibrahim (AS), is it enough to be from his progeny or is it necessary to follow his good model? The Holy Quran speaks:
“When his Lord put Ibrahim to a test with certain Words, and he fulfilled them, He said, ‘I am going to make you an Imam for the people.’ He said, ‘And from among my progeny?’ He replied, ‘My promise does not extend to the unjust’.” (Al-Baqarah: 124)
Under the commentary of the above verse is mentioned: “….. The second point is that Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) had two sons, Sayyiduna Ishaq (AS) and Sayyiduna Ismail (AS). Sayyiduna Ishaq (AS) had a son Yaqub whose another name was Israel. Before Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) being blessed with Prophet-hood, the chain of prophet-hood was going on among his descendants (Israelites), that is why they thought that only they had the right to lead the whole world. No prophet can come in any other family who is obligatory for them to follow. Removing such misunderstanding, the Glorious Quran has made it clear here that the position of religious leadership is not a mandatory inheritance of any family as Ibrahim (AS) was told regarding it in clear words. When Allah Ta’ala tested him in various ways and it was proved that he was always ready to make the great sacrifice at every command of Allah Ta’ala, he was thrown into the fire for his belief in monotheism, he was forced to leave his homeland, he was ordered to leave his wife and newborn child alone in the dry valley of Makkah and he continued to make all these sacrifices without hesitation, then the Exalted Allah announced to bless him with the leadership of the whole world. On the same occasion, when he (Ibrahim AS) asked about his offspring; so it was clearly stated that those among them who are oppressors, i.e. who oppressed themselves by disobeying Allah Almighty, will not deserve this position. After testing the Israelites for centuries, it has been proven that they aren’t worthy to be given the religious leadership of the entire humanity until the Day of Judgment. Therefore, the last and final Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is being sent from another son of Ibrahim (AS) i.e. among the descendants of Sayyiduna Ismail (AS) for whom Ibrahim (AS) had prayed to be sent from the people of Makkah. Now, since the religious leadership is being transferred, now the Qiblah is also going to be changed to that House of Allah (Ka’bah), which was built by Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) and his son Sayyiduna Ismail (AS).” (Aasaan Tarjamye Qura’an: V: 1, P.: 94)
By this commentary, it is clearly understood that Allah the Almighty informed Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) that “leadership” will not be given to those who are oppressors and disobedient from among his progeny and family. Today, those who call themselves from among the children of Israel are disobedient to the divine decree; whereas Muslims are the Ummah that follows the command of Allah; therefore, the Muslims will be entitled to his leadership.
Arab Muslims are also Descendants of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS):
If it is assumed that the promise that Allah made to Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) is also extended to the people from his progeny; then it is wrong for the Israelites to grab it for themselves; because Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) had an older son, Sayyiduna Ismail (AS) as well. Based on this assumption, the descendants of Sayyiduna Ismail (AS) also deserved the promise that was made to Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS). Then all those Arabs, who are from the descendants of Ismail, through their great grandfather Adnan, are also entitled to this promise. The Quraish tribe of Makkah is from the same family of Adnan and Sayyiduna Muhammad (SAWS) is also from the same Quraish tribe and today’s Muslims follow Muhammad (SAWS). It is also very interesting to know that the land of Palestine was promised to Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) at the time when only Sayyiduna Ismail (AS) was born among his children and this promise was made to him at the time of the purification of Ismail (AS). Sayyiduna Ishaq (AS) was born following 14 years of Ismail’s birth. From this point of view, the Arabs are more deserving of this promise than the Israelites; because Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) is the ancestor of the Arabs also through Ismail (AS). Not only this, but also the Qura’an has presented Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) as the father of all Muslims: “Struggle for (seeking the pleasure of) Allah, a struggle that is owed to Him. He has chosen you and did not impose any hardship on you in the religion, the faith of your father Ibrahim. He (Allah) named you as Muslims earlier and also in this (Qur’an),….” (Al-Hajj: 78)
Arabs are Indigenous People of Palestine:
As far as governing the land of Palestine is concerned; so the rule of the Israelites had been in Palestine for a short period and its most important period is the regime of Sayyiduna Sulaiman (AS). As the rule of Muslims over Palestine; so it goes back to the period of Sayyiduna Umar (RA)’s Caliphate i.e. from 636 to about 1917. During this long period, the Crusaders ruled for 88 years. After subtracting this period of 88 years, the Muslims ruled Palestine for about twelve centuries. It is also worth mentioning that a large number of Jews migrated from Palestine in 135 AD. When Palestine came under the Islamic Caliphate, there was no any Jew there. Thus, for about 18 centuries, Jews had no connection with Palestine; while the Arabs were and are still the inhabitants of Palestine. They had been before the Jews came to Palestine, they stayed with them, even after Jews migrated, Arabs had been there and they are still in Palestine. It was just in the early 20th century, during the period of the British Mandate on Palestine that a conspiracy began to bring Jews from other countries to settle in Palestine. Arab people had and have been living in Palestine for almost four and a half thousand years and they never migrated to any place leaving their homeland Palestine. So, the Arabs are the indigenous people and the real owners of Palestine. When, in 1948, the occupying Zionist state was established, the Zionists crossed all limits of oppression and tyranny and forced a large number of Palestinians to migrate. These migrants of 1948, haven’t given up their rights even today; rather, they are waiting for the opportunity to return to Palestine.
Today’s Jews have nothing to do with Israel and Palestine:
In accordance with the historical view point, it is an important question, are today’s Jews the same children of Israel whose forefather was Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS)? The short answer to this question is in “Negative”. This is because the research of some researchers and historians is that more than 80% of today’s Jews have no connection with Israel or Palestine. Among them is a Jewish historian such as Arthur Koestler. He has written a book: “The Thirteenth Tribe: The Khazar Empire and its Heritage”. This book was published in 1976 AD. Koestler, the author of the book, has proved that the Ashkenazi Jews are descended from the Khazar people. This book makes the point that “Ashkenazi Jews” are not descended from the ancient Israelites; rather, they belong to the Khazar, an ancient Tatar Turkic people. It is Koestler’s research that the Khazar people converted to Judaism in the 8th century. When, in the 12th and 13th centuries, the Khazar Empire was collapsing, these people migrated to Eastern Europe and southern Russia. So, if they are looking for their real homeland, they should go to South Russia. (Al-Qadhiyyah Al-Filastiniyyah Khalfiyyatuhaa Al-Tarikhiyyah Wa Tatawwuratuhaa Al-Mua’asirah -The Palestine Issue: Historical Background and Contemporary Developments- by Prof. Dr. Mohsen Mohammad Saleh, P. 27)
Conclusion:
The gist of this article is that the Jewish claim that Palestine is the Promised Land is irrelevant according to the Christian scholars. The Israelites were rebellious and disobedient people, they disobeyed Allah, His Prophets and Allah punished them. Allah Ta’ala gave the land of Palestine to the Israelites at the time when they were the flag bearers of monotheism under the leadership of Prophets (PBUT) and when they disobeyed Allah, they didn’t deserve the land. After the prophet-hood of Muhammad (SAWS), Muslims are the true flag bearers of the Oneness of Allah. So, they are the true inheritors of the prophetic legacy and the land of Palestine. It is not necessary to be descendants of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) in order to be entitled to his leadership and legacy; rather, it is necessary to follow his footsteps. Just as Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) is the ancestor of the Israelites, so he is for the Arabs who are descendants of Ismail (AS). Palestine was ruled by the Israelites for a short period; while the Muslims ruled about 12 centuries. Today, those who claim to be Jews, more than eighty percent of them aren’t from the children of Israel; rather, they belong to the “Khazar,” an ancient Tatar Turkic nation who converted to Judaism in the 8th century. The descendants of the Canaanites, i.e. the Arabs, are the indigenous people and real owners of Palestine; because they have been living in Palestine for four and a half thousand years. ●●●●
* Moon Rays Trust School, Zambia, Africa
