Allah mentions the story of Bani Israel in Surah al-Baqarah because it is still relevant today. In this article, we will look at a very important lesson that is so relevant to what is happening around us.
Allah took a covenant from them: do not kill one another, and do not drive one another out of their homes. But they broke this covenant when worldly interests became more important to them than Allah’s command. This is not only their story. It is a warning for every generation, including us.
The Covenant Bani Israel Broke
Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah that He took a covenant from Bani Israel that they should not kill each and they should not force one another out of their homes.
And (remember) when We took your covenant that you would neither shed each other’s blood nor expel each other from their homes, you gave your pledge and bore witness.
Quran Chapter 2 Verse 84
But the Bani Israel broke this covenant.
Allah says:
Yet here you are, killing one another and driving some of your own people from their homes, helping one another in sin and aggression against them. If they come to you as captives, you still pay to set them free, although you had no right to drive them out. So, do you believe in some parts of the Scripture and not in others?
Quran Chapter 2 Verse 85
Why did they break it?
To understand why the Bani Israel broke the covenant, we must understand the background.
There were three Jewish tribes in Medina – Banu Qaynuqa, Banu al-Naḍir, and Banu Qurayzah.
Medina also had two major Arab tribes: Aws and Khazraj, who were idolaters.
Before Islam, Banu Qaynuqa were allies of Khazraj, while Banu al-Naḍir, and Banu Qurayzah were allies of Aws. Through these alliances the Jewish tribes gained money, protection, and other worldly benefits.
Aws and Khazaj were bitter enemies and often fought with each other.
Because of these alliances, Jewish tribes ended up fighting other Jewish tribes. There was no original enmity between the Jewish tribes. The Jewish tribes killed other Jewish tribes because of the alliances they had with Aws and Khazraj.
Though the Jewish tribes knew very well about Allah’s command, they chose to break Allah’s covenant for the sake of worldly benefits. They wanted money. They wanted power. They wanted political benefit. The worldly benefits became more important to them than obedience to Allah.
Its Relevance Today
How many Muslim governments have tied themselves to foreign powers for worldly benefits?
How many rulers keep their political ties, trade deals, and foreign alliances because they fear losing worldly benefits?
When innocent Muslims are massacred unjustly, they watch as silent spectators, out of fear that they will lose their worldly benefits.
By turning a blind eye to the oppression of fellow Muslims, they are walking in the footsteps of Bani Israel, whom Allah warned us about in Surah al-Baqarah.
The worldly gain has become more important than Allah’s command and the suffering of fellow Muslims.
Allah’s warning
Allah says:
The punishment for those of you who do this will be nothing but disgrace in this life, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be condemned to the harshest torment: Allah is not unaware of what you do.
Quran Chapter 2 Verse 85
This is a very serious warning.
In the verse above, Allah says “those of you who do this”. This shows that these verses are not just about Bani Israel. They are also a warning for Muslims if they fall into the same sin.
The Prophet ﷺ Warned Us
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“You will surely follow the ways of those who came before you, span by span and cubit by cubit.”
Bukhari # 7320
The companions asked: “The Jews and Christians?”
He said: “Who else?”
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
The believers, in their love, mercy, and compassion for one another, are like one body. If one part of the body suffers, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever.
Bukhari # 6011
A true believer cannot not watch the pain of other Muslims with a cold heart.
Quran is a living Miracle
These verses were revealed more than 1400 years ago, yet they capture what is happening in our world today. Subhanallah! Quran is a living Miracle. It guides every generation.
The Quran is from Allah, the All-Knowing Creator, who knows the weaknesses of the human heart, the moral failures people fall into, and the betrayals they are prone to. That is why, no matter how much the world changes, the guidance of the Quran always remains relevant, precise, and true.
What Should We Learn?
The lessons for us are very clear.
- Do not prefer dunya over Allah’s command
- Fear Allah more than worldly loss
- Stand with oppressed Muslims
- Do not remain silent in front of injustice
- Remember that the Ummah is one body
- Fear Allah more than worldly loss
Conclusion
Betraying Muslims is not just a political issue. It is a major sin that carries a warning of severe punishment from Allah.
Bani Israel were condemned because they broke Allah’s covenant for worldly gain. If Muslims repeat the same sin, then the warning applies to them too. This is why the story of Bani Israelis still relevant today. The Quran is not telling us this story only to inform us about the past. It is warning us so that we do not repeat the same betrayal.
May Allah protect us from selling our faith, and our Ummah for dunya.
Share this article with others so more people reflect on this urgent Quranic warning.
FAQs
Which verses talk about the covenant of Bani Israel?
Surah al-Baqarah 2:84–85 speaks about the covenant not to kill one another or drive one another out of their homes.
Why is the story of Bani Israel relevant today?
Because the same sin can happen again: people can choose worldly benefit over Allah’s command and betray their own people.
Is this warning only for Bani Israel?
No. The Quran teaches lessons through their story, and the warning applies to anyone, including Muslims, who repeats the same betrayal.
Which hadith says Muslims will follow the earlier nations – Jews and Christians?
The hadith is in Bukhari # 7320 and Sahih Muslim # 2669.
What should Muslims do when other Muslims are oppressed?
They should stand for justice, support the oppressed, and not remain silent out of fear or worldly interest.
