Friday, April 17, 2020

Apostate prophet exposes a jealous people; Jewish bitterness towards Islam?

In answer to the video "The Fate of the Jews of Medina (TGP 1)"

Very soon after their agreement to the peace convention with the Muslims, the Medina Jews started manoeuvering so as to prevent Islam's popularity reaching greater proportions. Through their business relations going back far into pre-islamic days, they were able to instigate and support the Meccans, under the leadership of Karz ibn Jabir al Farhi, to begin harassing the Medina Muslims right up to the outskirts of the city, destroying fruit-bearing trees and carrying away flocks. These actions compelled the prophet to start sending missions to neighboring tribes in order to seek alliances.

Their bitterness would greatly increase with the conversion of a prominent rabbi, Abdullah ibn Salam, along with his household. This event was revealing of the underlying condition of the JEwish elite. Although they forcefully resisted the prophethood of Muhammad, still, in their deepest selves, they knew he had brought the evident truth
6:20,2:146"those to whom We have given the scripture recognize him as they recognize their own sons".
The Quran relates how many of the Israelites would still reject the Revelation sent to Muhammad altough many of their learned men recognized in it the truth foretold in their scriptures and accepted it 26:197. This lead to more and more antagonism between the 2 communities. Rabbis would feint conversion so as to try and ensnare the prophet with their inquiries
25:33"And they shall not bring to you any argument, but We have brought to you (one) with truth and best in significance".
The Quran answers all spiritual inquiries with truth. They would try causing dissensions among the former ennemies of Aws and Khazraj, now united under the banner of Islam, by arousing memories of the day of the Bu'ath war when al Aws vanquished al Khazraj. But Muhammad continued to talk to them, emphasizing their Islamic unity and brotherhood until their tears ran down in emotion and they embraced one another. The Quran reminds of this tension in 2:87-89 and further stresses how it was Allah who facilitated the union of the various rival and waring tribes under the prophet's guidance
8:63"had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them; surely He is Mighty, Wise".
Although of course the prophet, being full of empathy towards his addressees to whom he wished spiritual salvation, regardless of their ethnical and religious background, he was certainly unhappy for the Jews' rejection of him, just as he wouldnt be pleased with anybody else rejecting his message. This saddness however had nothing to do with rejecting him per se, rather with them suffering spiritual loss
"I adjure you to tell me if you find in that revelation which Allah sent down to You, that you should believe in Muhammad. If you cannot find that in your scripture, no displeasure will fall on you. Guidance will be distinguishable from error, and I invite you to Allah and to His prophet".
This was the prophet's address to the Jews of Khaybar, he would never put any blame on them personally should they reject him. This means that the denial of his message would have no bearing on his personal relationship with them; whether they accept or reject him, their reward or punishment will be with their Lord only. As to the prophet, in both cases, he would live with them in peace, so long as they abide by the agreements. And that is exactly what he did. It is only when they began their war incitments and enemy alliances, that the prophet had to retaliate in defense of his own people. It is their misbehavior on that level that caused the battles that ensued between the 2 communities, not their rejection of him as a prophet.

No comments:

Post a Comment