The misguidance of the Jews with regard to 'aqeedah

we know where the christians went wrong, where did the jews go wrong?

Praise be to Allaah.
Undoubtedly the mistakes that the Jews made are more serious than those which the Christians made, although both of them have erred and are kaafirs. The Qur'aan mentions a number of the ways in which the Jews went astray.
1. Among them there is a group which claims that Allaah has a son, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "And the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allaah, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allaah. That is their saying with their mouths, resembling the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime. Allaah's Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth!" [al-Tawbah 9:30].
{وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ عُزَيْرٌ ابْنُ اللّهِ وَقَالَتْ النَّصَارَى الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ اللّهِ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُم بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ يُضَاهِؤُونَ قَوْلَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَبْلُ قَاتَلَهُمُ اللّهُ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ}
Transliteration: Wa Qālati Al-Yahūdu `Uzayrun Abnu Allāhi Wa Qālati An-Naşārá Al-Masīĥu Abnu Allāhi Dhālika Qawluhum Bi'afwāhihim Yuđāhi'ūna Qawla Al-Ladhīna Kafarū Min Qablu Qātalahumu Allāhu 'Anná Yu'ufakūna

2. They described Allaah as having shortcomings, and they killed the Prophets and Messengers of Allaah, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "The Jews say: 'Allaah's Hand is tied up (i.e. He does not give and spend of His Bounty).' Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for what they uttered. Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched. He spends (of His Bounty) as He wills" [al-Maa'idah 5:64].
{وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ يَدُ اللّهِ مَغْلُولَةٌ غُلَّتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَلُعِنُواْ بِمَا قَالُواْ بَلْ يَدَاهُ مَبْسُوطَتَانِ يُنفِقُ كَيْفَ يَشَاءُ}
Transliteration: Wa Qālati Al-Yahūdu Yadu Allāhi Maghlūlatun Ghullat 'Aydīhim Wa Lu`inū Bimā Qālū Bal Yadāhu Mabsūţatāni Yunfiqu Kayfa Yashā'u

"Indeed, Allaah has heard the statement of those (Jews) who say: 'Truly, Allaah is poor and we are rich!' We shall record what they have said and their killing of the Prophets unjustly, and We shall say: 'Taste you the torment of the burning (Fire)" [Aal 'Imraan 3:181].
{لَّقَدْ سَمِعَ اللّهُ قَوْلَ الَّذِينَ قَالُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ فَقِيرٌ وَنَحْنُ أَغْنِيَاء سَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَالُواْ وَقَتْلَهُمُ الأَنبِيَاءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَنَقُولُ ذُوقُواْ عَذَابَ الْحَرِيقِ}
Pickthal: Verily Allah heard the saying of those who said, (when asked for contributions to the war): "Allah, forsooth, is poor, and we are rich!" We shall record their saying with their slaying of the prophets wrongfully and We shall say: Taste ye the punishment of burning!

3. They distorted the word of Allaah, i.e., the Tawraat (Torah). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"So, because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places" [al-Maa'idah 5:13].
{فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ لَعنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ}
Transliteration: Fabimā Naqđihim Mīthāqahum La`annāhum Wa Ja`alnā Qulūbahum Qāsiyatan Yuĥarrifūna Al-Kalima `An Mawāđi`ihi

"Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, "This is from Allaah," to purchase with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for that they earn thereby" [al-Baqarah 2:79].
{فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ الْكِتَابَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَـذَا مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ لِيَشْتَرُواْ بِهِ ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً فَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌ لَّهُمْ مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ}
Transliteration: Fawaylun Lilladhīna Yaktubūna Al-Kitāba Bi'aydīhim Thumma Yaqūlūna Hādhā Min `Indi Allāhi Liyashtarū Bihi Thamanāan Qalīlāan Fawaylun Lahum Mimmā Katabat 'Aydīhim Wa Waylun Lahum Mimmā Yaksibūna

4. They deserved the curse of Allaah, because of what Allaah has said about them. Allaah says:
"Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawood (David) and 'Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allaah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds.
They used not to forbid one another from Al-Munkar (wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do" [al-Maa'idah 5:78-79].
{لُعِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَى لِسَانِ دَاوُودَ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ذَلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُواْ يَعْتَدُونَ (78) كَانُواْ لاَ يَتَنَاهَوْنَ عَن مُّنكَرٍ فَعَلُوهُ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُواْ يَفْعَلُونَ}
Transliteration: Lu`ina Al-Ladhīna Kafarū Min Banī 'Isrā'īla `Alá Lisāni Dāwūda Wa `Īsá Abni Maryama Dhālika Bimā `Aşaw Wa Kānū Ya`tadūna, Kānū Lā Yatanāhawna `An Munkarin Fa`alūhu Labi'sa Mā Kānū Yaf`alūna

The lies that they have fabricated against their Prophets are many, such as the following:
1. The Jews claimed that the Prophet of Allaah Sulayman (Solomon) was an apostate and that he worshipped idols, as mentioned in (I Kings 11:5).

2. The Jews claimed that Loot (Lot) - peace be upon him - drank wine and committed incest with his two daughters, as mentioned in (Genesis 19:30ff).

3. The Jews claimed that the Prophet of Allaah Ya'qoob (Jacob) committed theft, as mentioned in (Genesis 31:12).

4. The Jews claim that the Prophet of Allaah Dawood (David) committed adultery, as a result of which Sulaymaan (Solomon) was born to him, as mentioned in (II Samuel 11:4).

-- and so on, may Allaah curse them and put them to shame.

Allaah and His Messenger cursed them in numerous places in the Qur'aan and Sunnah because of their shameless actions. For example, Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):
"And they say, 'Our hearts are wrapped (i.e. do not hear or understand Allaah's Word).' Nay, Allaah has cursed them for their disbelief, so little is that which they believe.
And when there came to them (the Jews), a Book (this Qur'aan) from Allaah confirming what is with them [the Tawraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)], although aforetime they had invoked Allaah (for coming of Muhammad) in order to gain victory over those who disbelieved, then when there came to them that which they had recognized, they disbelieved in it. So let the Curse of Allaah be on the disbelievers" [al-Baqarah 2:88-89].
{وَقَالُواْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌ بَل لَّعَنَهُمُ اللَّه بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَقَلِيلاً مَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ (88) وَلَمَّا جَاءهُمْ كِتَابٌ مِّنْ عِندِ اللّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ وَكَانُواْ مِن قَبْلُ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَلَمَّا جَاءهُم مَّا عَرَفُواْ كَفَرُواْ بِهِ فَلَعْنَةُ اللَّه عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ}
Transliteration: Wa Qālū Qulūbunā Ghulfun Bal La`anahumu Allāhu Bikufrihim Faqalīlāan Mā Yu'uminūna, Wa Lammā Jā'ahum Kitābun Min `Indi Allāhi Muşaddiqun Limā Ma`ahum Wa Kānū Min Qablu Yastaftiĥūna `Alá Al-Ladhīna Kafarū Falammā Jā'ahum Mā `Arafū Kafarū Bihi Fala`natu Allāhi `Alá Al-Kāfirīna

"Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: 'We hear your word (O Muhammad) and disobey,' and 'Hear and let you (O Muhammad) hear nothing.' And Raa'ina [in Arabic, this means 'Be careful, listen to us, and we listen to you', whereas in Hebrew, it means 'an insult'] with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion (Islam). And if only they had said: 'We hear and obey', and 'Do make us understand,' it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allaah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except a few.
O you who have been given the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Believe in what We have revealed (to Muhammad) confirming what is (already) with you, before We efface faces (by making them like the back of necks; without nose, mouth and eyes) and turn them hindwards, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers. And the Commandment of Allaah is always executed." [al-Nisaa' 4:46-47].
{مِّنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُواْ يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَاسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ وَرَاعِنَا لَيّاً بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْناً فِي الدِّينِ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ قَالُواْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَاسْمَعْ وَانظُرْنَا لَكَانَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ وَأَقْوَمَ وَلَكِن لَّعَنَهُمُ اللّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً (46) يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ آمِنُواْ بِمَا نَزَّلْنَا مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا مَعَكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهاً فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَى أَدْبَارِهَا أَوْ نَلْعَنَهُمْ كَمَا لَعَنَّا أَصْحَابَ السَّبْتِ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللّهِ مَفْعُولاً}
Transliteration: Mina Al-Ladhīna Hādū Yuĥarrifūna Al-Kalima `An Mawāđi`ihi Wa Yaqūlūna Sami`nā Wa `Aşaynā Wa Asma` Ghayra Musma`in Wa Rā`inā Layyāan Bi'alsinatihim Wa Ţa`nāan Fī Ad-Dīni Wa Law 'Annahum Qālū Sami`nā Wa 'Aţa`nā Wa Asma` Wa Anžurnā Lakāna Khayrāan Lahum Wa 'Aqwama Wa Lakin La`anahumu Allāhu Bikufrihim Falā Yu'uminūna 'Illā Qalīlāan, Yā 'Ayyuhā Al-Ladhīna 'Ūtū Al-Kitāba 'Āminū Bimā Nazzalnā Muşaddiqāan Limā Ma`akum Min Qabli 'An Naţmisa Wujūhāan Fanaruddahā `Alá 'Adbārihā 'Aw Nal`anahum Kamā La`annā 'Aşĥāba As-Sabti Wa Kāna 'Amru Allāhi Maf`ūlāan

"So, because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them" [al-Maa'idah 5:13].
{فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ لَعنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ وَنَسُواْ حَظّاً مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُواْ بِهِ وَلاَ تَزَالُ تَطَّلِعُ عَلَىَ خَآئِنَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّنْهُمُ}
Transliteration: Fabimā Naqđihim Mīthāqahum La`annāhum Wa Ja`alnā Qulūbahum Qāsiyatan Yuĥarrifūna Al-Kalima `An Mawāđi`ihi Wa Nasū Ĥažžāan Mimmā Dhukkirū Bihi Wa Lā Tazālu Taţţali`u `Alá Khā'inatin Minhum 'Illā Qalīlāan Minhum

"Say (O Muhammad to the people of the Scripture): 'Shall I inform you of something worse than that, regarding the recompense from Allaah: those (Jews) who incurred the Curse of Allaah and His Wrath, and those of whom (some) He transformed into monkeys and swines, and those who worshipped Taaghoot (false deities); such are worse in rank (on the Day of Resurrection in the Hell-fire), and far more astray from the Right Path (in the life of this world)." [al-Maa'idah 5:60].
{قُلْ هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرٍّ مِّن ذَلِكَ مَثُوبَةً عِندَ اللّهِ مَن لَّعَنَهُ اللّهُ وَغَضِبَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ الْقِرَدَةَ وَالْخَنَازِيرَ وَعَبَدَ الطَّاغُوتَ أُوْلَـئِكَ شَرٌّ مَّكَاناً وَأَضَلُّ عَن سَوَاء السَّبِيلِ}
Transliteration: Qul Hal 'Unabbi'ukum Bisharrin Min Dhālika Mathūbatan `Inda Allāhi Man La`anahu Allāhu Wa Ghađiba `Alayhi Wa Ja`ala Minhumu Al-Qiradata Wa Al-Khanāzīra Wa `Abada Aţ-Ţāghūta 'Ūlā'ika Sharrun Makānāan Wa 'Ađallu `An Sawā'i As-Sabīli

"The Jews say: 'Allaah's Hand is tied up (i.e. He does not give and spend of His Bounty).' Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for what they uttered. Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched. He spends (of His Bounty) as He wills. Verily, the Revelation that has come to you from your Lord (Allaah) increases in most of them (their) obstinate rebellion and disbelief. We have put enmity and hatred amongst them till the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindled the fire of war, Allaah extinguished it; and they (ever) strive to make mischief on the earth. And Allaah does not like the Mufsidoon (mischief-makers). [al-Maa'idah 5:64].
{وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ يَدُ اللّهِ مَغْلُولَةٌ غُلَّتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَلُعِنُواْ بِمَا قَالُواْ بَلْ يَدَاهُ مَبْسُوطَتَانِ يُنفِقُ كَيْفَ يَشَاءُ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيراً مِّنْهُم مَّا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَاناً وَكُفْراً وَأَلْقَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاء إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ كُلَّمَا أَوْقَدُواْ نَاراً لِّلْحَرْبِ أَطْفَأَهَا اللّهُ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِي الأَرْضِ فَسَاداً وَاللّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِينَ}
Transliteration: Wa Qālati Al-Yahūdu Yadu Allāhi Maghlūlatun Ghullat 'Aydīhim Wa Lu`inū Bimā Qālū Bal Yadāhu Mabsūţatāni Yunfiqu Kayfa Yashā'u Wa Layazīdanna Kathīrāan Minhum Mā 'Unzila 'Ilayka Min Rabbika Ţughyānāan Wa Kufrāan Wa 'Alqaynā Baynahumu Al-`Adāwata Wa Al-Baghđā'a 'Ilá Yawmi Al-Qiyāmati Kullamā 'Awqadū Nārāan Lilĥarbi 'Aţfa'ahā Allāhu Wa Yas`awna Fī Al-'Arđi Fasādāan Wa Allāhu Lā Yuĥibbu Al-Mufsidīna

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
«May Allaah curse the Jews, for they have taken the graves of their Prophets as places of worship»
«May Allaah curse the Jews: fat was forbidden for them, but they melted it down and sold it»
These two hadeeths are both narrated in Saheeh al-Bukhaari.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) described them well when he said:
"The nation upon whom is the Divine wrath are the Jews, the people of lies, slander, betrayal, conspiracy and trickery, the killers of Prophets and consumers of ribaa (usury) and bribes. They have the most evil hearts of all nations, and the worst attitude. They are the farthest removed from (divine) Mercy and the closest to (divine) wrath. Their way is enmity and stirring up hatred. They represent the house of witchcraft, lies and trickery. They do not see anything wrong in rejecting and disbelieving in Prophets whom they did not like. With regard to a believer, they respect not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant [cf. Al-Tawbah 9:10]. They do not respect the rights of those who agree with them, or show any compassion towards them, nor do they show any justice or fairness to those who work with them. There is no safety or security for those who mix with them, and there is no sincerity towards those who use their services. The most evil of them is the one who is most intelligent, and the cleverest one among them is the one who cheats the most. The one who is good at heart - which it is unlikely to find among them - is not a Jew in any real sense. They are the most bad-tempered of people, with the gloomiest houses and the filthiest courtyards. They have very bad manners - their greeting is a curse, and meeting them is bad news. Their slogan is wrath and they are filled with hatred." (Hidaayat al-Hayaaraa, p. 8).

These are just a few drops from a flood of information. Whoever researches the matter will find out a great deal about their shameful actions and the forms that their kufr and deviation take. We ask Allaah to suppress them, humiliate them, put them to shame and defeat them, and to grant the Muslims victory over them sooner rather than later. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.

And Allaah knows best.


Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid