Who are the "children of Israel"?

[K.Venugopal]

5:32 of the Quran says that if anyone slew a person, it would be as if he slew the whole people and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Why does this verse start with "On that account" and why does it say "We ordained for the children of Israel"? I shall be thankful if someone explained this verse and its context.

 

[Woodrow]

5:32 of the Quran says that if anyone slew a person, it would be as if he slew the whole people and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Why does this verse start with "On that account" and why does it say "We ordained for the children of Israel"? I shall be thankful if someone explained this verse and its context.

The Children of Israel are the Semitic people that includes the Hebrews and Arabs. Israel was one of the descendants of Abraham, not the name of a country or a particular race. There never was a Nation called Israel until 1947. All of the Semitic people trace their ancestry Back to Ibrahim.

This Ayyat:

32. On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.

Is directed at all who follow the true Abrahamic, monotheistic faith.

 

[marwen]

:bism:
All food was lawful to the Children of Israel except what Israel had made unlawful to himself before the Torah was revealed. Say, [O Muhammad], "So bring the Torah and recite it, if you should be truthful." (Al-Imran : 93)

Israel was the name of prophet Jacob(as) who is the son of Ishaaq(as) and the grandson of Ibrahim(Abraham) (as). Jacob(Israel) had 12 children, among his children was the prophet Joseph. The children of Israel are the descendants of Jacob/israel i.e his 12 sons and their descendants. Abraham had 2 children : Ishaaq and Ismail. The descendants of Ismail are not among the children of Israel, because the children of israel are the descendants of Jacob.
See this source for further information..

Ismail is the grand grand ... grand father of prophet Muhammed(PBUH); and Arabs/Muslims are the far descendants of Ismail, so they are not among the children of Israel.
See the family tree of the prophets in this picture..


The meaning of the word Israel :

Meaning of the Word: Israeel

Meaning:
1) The Prophet Yaqoob (Jacob in English) was also called Israel which means "Servant of Allah".
2) The name of the country formed after world war two that is on occupied Palestinian land.

True Form: إسرائيل Grammar: Prophet; Country; name of male;

Explanation:
In the Quran the quote 'the Children of Israel' is read often but few people know that it means 'Descendants of Prophet Yaqoob'.

It is also rarely used as a name because Allah often mentions the descendants of Israel as sinners in the Quran, and the current political climate in the middle east makes it innapropriate since someone called Israel would be presumed to be a supporter of the illegal state.

source ..

 

[marwen]

As for the verse :
Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors. Alma'idah : 32

This verse is applicable for muslims too. The killer of one innocent person without repenting and being punished in this life, will be severely punished by Allah because of the atrocity of his crime. And the same way, if a person helped to save a human life he will be generously rewarded by Allah.

 

[Woodrow]

Jazakallah Khair Br. Marwen for the better explanation. I knew that Both the Hebrews and Arabs came from Ibrahim(PBUH) but I couldn't quite place how Yakoub(PBUH) would fit into direct ancestry of the Arabs. I knew the ayyyat applied to us also, and assumed it was because the Arabs are also descended from Ibrahim(PBUH). But, it is clearer seeing it applies to all people as does the Qur'an.

 

[marwen]

Israel was one of the descendants of Abraham, not the name of a country or a particular race. There never was a Nation called Israel until 1947.

This is true. The name Israel has nothing to do with the newly created government (1947) called Israel. Actually it's a fake name invented after the WW2 in order to give the Jews - who are spread all over the world - the right to occupy the Palestinian lands, in which they have no historical or religious legitimacy.

 

[almahdali]

The country called Israel is a modern state although it is build on the historical land. While it is not recognized by many people, but Palestinians in Gazah are now using Shekel in their economy. I guess Palestinians have no National Reserve for themselves since they have no proper authoritative institutions. Even in Israel itself, there are many injustice that happened among Jews. The portrayal that they had shown to diasporical Jews are not always true. Sefardim Jews sometimes having problem with Ashkhenazim. Those new comers or who had just performed Aaliyah especially the youths have to join military service or national service which I find as not fair for those young people. They have to abandon their studies. Yeshivish students got their way freely because they study religion while Chilonim (Secularists) have to join national service. Chilonim pay taxes and everything, Yeshivish students in Israel can escape services.