Is the Koran calling jews greedy? (sorry for the misunderstanding)?

Question

[2.96] And you will most certainly find them the greediest of men for life (greedier) than even those who are polytheists; every one of them loves that he should be granted a life of a thousand years, and his being granted a long life will in no way remove him further off from the chastisement, and Allah sees what they
[2.97] Say: Whoever is the enemy of Jibreel-- for surely he revealed it to your heart by Allah's command, verifying that which is before it and guidance and good news for the believers.

who is this about?

David, want you to know I wasn't calling jews greedy. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Stop stiring up, the KORAN never disses anyone, apart froin None belives, but then even it says dont kill anyone unless ur attacked firs, The KORAN maybe says some Jews r greedy who chnaged the Judasimn relgion to suit themselebs for financial gain etc, but noway does Koran diss any individual human being. dont stir up, u got nufin better to do in ur time then *** here and ask questions to stirp hatred, and make up lies hey, u must be one of those insecure girls who always home front of the pc, sulkinf cuz she aint good looking or slim and cant hold down a man lol, pathetic, typical westerner.

HAHA!!!!

If I ask questions I'm fat and ugly.

Why does the Koran say so much about usury. Was it so common at that time?

Answer 1

I appreciate that you inquire about this topic, I have done some research and found its explanation in Ibn Kathir, which is an explanation and commentary of the Holy Qu'ran.

Disbelievers wish They could live longer

This is why Allah said next,

[وَلَن يَتَمَنَّوْهُ أَبَدًا بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّـلِمينَ وَلَتَجِدَنَّهُمْ أَحْرَصَ النَّاسِ عَلَى حَيَوةٍ]

(But they will never long for it because of what their hands have sent before them (i.e.what they have done). And Allah is Aware of the Zalimin. And verily, you will find them (the Jews) the greediest of mankind for life.) meaning, greedy to live longer, because they know their evil end, and the only reward they will have with Allah is total loss. This life is a prison for the believer and Paradise for the disbeliever. Therefore, the People of the Book wish they could delay the Hereafter, as much as possible. However, they shall certainly meet what they are trying to avoid, even if they are more eager to delay the Hereafter than the polytheists who do not have a divine book.

Muhammad bin Ishaq narrated that Ibn `Abbas commented on,

[وَمَا هُوَ بِمُزَحْزِحِهِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ أَن يُعَمَّرَ]

(But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from (due) punishment.) "Long life shall not save them from torment. Certainly, the polytheists do not believe in resurrection after death, and they would love to enjoy a long life. The Jews know the humiliation they will suffer in the Hereafter for knowingly ignoring the truth.'' Also, `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, "The Jews are most eager for this life. They wish they could live for a thousand years. However, living for a thousand years will not save them from torment, just as Iblis' - Satan - long life did not benefit him, due to being a disbeliever.'' t

[وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ]

(And Allah is Seer of what they do.) meaning, "Allah knows what His servants are doing, whether good or evil, and will compensate each of them accordingly.''

[قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ - مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لّلَّهِ وَمَلـئِكَتِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَجِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَـلَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَدُوٌّ لِّلْكَـفِرِينَ ]

(97. Say (O Muhammad ): "Whoever is an enemy to Jibril (Gabriel) (let him die in his fury), for indeed he has brought it (this Qur'an) down to your heart by Allah's permission, confirming what came before it (i.e. the Tawrah and the Injil) and guidance and glad tidings for the believers). (98. "Whoever is an enemy to Allah, His Angels, His Messengers, Jibril and Mika'il, then verily, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.'')

The Jews are the Enemies of Jibril

Imam Abu Ja`far bin Jarir At-Tabari said, "The scholars of Tafsir agree that this Ayah (2: 97-98) was revealed in response to the Jews who claimed that Jibril (Gabriel) is an enemy of the Jews and that Mika'il (Michael) is their friend.'' Al-Bukhari said, "Allah said,

[مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ]

(Whoever is an enemy of Jibril (let him die in his fury)). `Ikrimah said, "Jibr, Mik and Israf all mean, worshipper, while il means, Allah''. Anas bin Malik said, "When `Abdullah bin Salam heard of the arrival of the Prophet in Al-Madinah, he was working on his land. He came to the Prophet and said, `I am going to ask you about three things which nobody knows except a Prophet. What will be the first portent of the Hour What will be the first meal taken by the people of Paradise Why does a child resemble its father, and why does it resemble its maternal uncle' Allah's Messenger said, (Jibril has just told me the answers.) `Abdullah said, `He (i.e. Jibril), among all the angels, is the enemy of the Jews.' Allah's Messenger recited the Ayah,

[مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ]

(Whoever is an enemy to Jibril (Gabriel) (let him die in his fury), for indeed he has brought it (this Qur'an) down to your heart). Allah's Messenger then said, (The first portent of the Hour will be a fire that will bring together the people from the east to the west; the first meal of the people of Paradise will be the caudate lobe of the liver of fish. As for the child resembling his parents: If a man has sexual intercourse with his wife and his discharge is first, the child will resemble the father. If the woman has a discharge first, the child will resemble her side of the family.) On that `Abdullah bin Salam said, `I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and you are the Messenger of Allah.' `Abdullah bin Salam further said, `O Allah's Messenger! The Jews are liars, and if they should come to know about my conversion to Islam before you ask them (about me), they will tell a lie about me.' The Jews came to Allah's Messenger , and `Abdullah went inside the house. Allah's Messenger asked (the Jews), (`What kind of man is `Abdullah bin Salam') They replied, `He is the best among us, the son of the best among us, our master and the son of our master.' Allah's Messenger said, (What do you think if he would embrace Islam) The Jews said, `May Allah save him from it.' Then `Abdullah bin Salam came out in front of them saying, `I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.' Thereupon they said, `He is the evilest among us, and the son of the evilest among us.' And they continued talking badly about him. Ibn Salam said, `This is what I feared, O Messenger of Allah!.''' Only Al-Bukhari recorded this Hadith with this chain of narration. Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded this Hadith from Anas using another chain of narration.

Some people say that `il' means worshipper while whatever word that is added to it becomes Allah's Name, because `il' is a constant in such conjunction. This is similar to the names `Abdullah, `Abdur-Rahman, `Abdul-Malik, `Abdul-Quddus, `Abdus-Salam, `Abdul-Kafi, `Abdul-Jalil, and so forth. Hence, `Abd' is constant in these compound names, while the remainder differs from name to name. This is the same case with Jibril, Mika'il, `Azra'il, Israfil, and so forth. Allah knows best.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just for clarification Jibril is the Arabic pronunciation of the Archangel Gabriel.

Any other questions e-mail me I'd be glad to explain.

Answer 2

Stop stiring up, the KORAN never disses anyone, apart froin None belives, but then even it says dont kill anyone unless ur attacked firs, The KORAN maybe says some Jews r greedy who chnaged the Judasimn relgion to suit themselebs for financial gain etc, but noway does Koran diss any individual human being. dont stir up, u got nufin better to do in ur time then *** here and ask questions to stirp hatred, and make up lies hey, u must be one of those insecure girls who always home front of the pc, sulkinf cuz she aint good looking or slim and cant hold down a man lol, pathetic, typical westerner.

Answer 3

well I consulted the Qur´an, and I don´t see a Al-Barqarah 2:95..it only goes to 2:94 then starts part 3.. in 3:96 it reads- There is no compulsion in religion. Verily the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Is this really why yer pissed..Allah will destroy Riba,(usury) and will give increase for Sadaqat(deeds of charity, alms, etc) And Allah likes not the disbelievers and the sinners.

Answer 4

It says most (not all) are greedy for life; not just greedy in general. In other words they'd like to live a long life; personally I think this is because there is no established doctrine of an afterlife in their religion (I've heard varying ideas) and so they focuse more on enhancing their current life. Also, I asked a Jew if she and her friend were stuck in a desert with only enough water for one person what would she do. She said (considering she adheres strictly to the scenario) she would take the water for herself rather than both of them dying because it is more logical. I'm not Jewish but I see her point of view; in real life people probably would save one person (themself) than both dying. Anyway, sorry I've blabbed so long :-p

Answer 5

About usury/Interest (riba)

Heres a link with many different questions on it, people in different situations.

http://islamqa.com/index.php?cref=318&ln=eng

I'm not sure if it was really common back then. Probably was.

About the Jews, it means, that they are asking too much, and yes, being greedy. The Jews at that time asked for too much from God, so they were greedy.

Answer 6

The only explicit things I am aware of are these:

[9:30] The Jews said, "Ezra is the son of GOD," while the Christians said, "Jesus is the son of GOD!" These are blasphemies uttered by their mouths. They thus match the blasphemies of those who have disbelieved in the past. GOD condemns them. They have surely deviated.
[9:33] He is the One who sent His messenger* with the guidance and the religion of truth, and will make it dominate all religions...

[17:4] We addressed the Children of Israel in the scripture: "You will commit gross evil on earth, twice. You are destined to fall into great heights of arrogance.
[17:5] "When the first time comes to pass, we will send against you servants of ours who possess great might, and they will invade your homes. This is a prophecy that must come to pass.
[17:6] "Afterwards, we will give you a turn over them, and will supply you with a lot of wealth and children; we will give you the upper hand.
[17:7] "If you work righteousness, you work righteousness for your own good, but if you commit evil you do so to your own detriment. Thus, when the second time comes to pass, they will defeat you and enter the masjid, just as they did the first time. They will wipe out all the gains you had accomplished."

[17:33] You shall not kill any person - for GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice.

[7:80] Lot said to his people, "You commit such an abomination; no one in the world has done it before!
[7:81] "You practice sex with the men, instead of the women. Indeed, you are a transgressing people."

[8:17] It was not you who killed them; GOD is the One who killed them. It was not you who threw when you threw; GOD is the One who threw. But He thus gives the believers a chance to earn a lot of credit. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
[8:55] The worst creatures in the sight of GOD are those who disbelieved; they cannot believe.
[8:59] Let not those who disbelieve think that they can get away with it; they can never escape.

[8:57] Therefore, if you encounter them in war, you shall set them up as a deterrent example for those who come after them, that they may take heed.
[8:59] Let not those who disbelieve think that they can get away with it; they can never escape.

Answer 7

In the Torat it was prophesied the coming of two Messiahs, they were waiting for them.
when Jesus peace be upon him came they refused him.
and they were waiting for another one to come, and they knew the signs of his coming, the moment of his birth, where he would appear.
many recorded stories about the Jews before the coming of the prophet prophesiesed in the Torat, stories of when he was born and when he appeared. the Jews were all the time talking to the pagan Arabs and tell them that when he will come, there will be no more idolatry, and that the pagan will lose and be wiped out.

When the prophet Came , he was from the Arabs, not a Jew, the prophet is from the descendant of Ishmael son of Abraham . in The Bible God says he will make Ishmael a nation.
the Jews were surprised, and jealous. and again they will not accept him even if they knew that he is the one.
now they are still waiting for the 2nd messiah to come. < they will think that it's the antichrist>

http://www.al-sunnah.com/muhammad_in_the_bible.htm
http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch1-3.htm
http://www.thetruecall.com/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=158
http://www.thetruecall.com/home/modules.phpname=News&file=article&sid=127&mode=&order=0&thold=0


the thing about Gabriel and Michael, is that they don't like Michael because he bring just catastrophes and punishment from God, that's why they don't love him. < this is what I know>

Answer 8

More inciteful dogma.

Lets start a new religion, where we all believe in life. The power of the human heart to lead us to the next level, the strength of our emotions - hunger, love, happiness, grief. Have one overriding belief:

Live life to the best of your own ability, and live it without the need to be indoctrinated into any religion. Be good, be bad, be loving, be hateful - but above all be honest to yourself and considerate of others and make your own mind up.

Answer 9

Polytheists are people who worship several gods like Hindus.

That could be true, cause the caste system is an atrocity to the poor. And the rich HONESTLY believe they are too good to talk to them. I have been to India, it was shocking!

David

Answer 10

Its not surprising they call them greedy.

You have to put it in to context. The Muslim rulers of the time wanted people to adhere strictly to the Muslim relgion. To put control on their people.

They didn't want their people running banks and business like the Jewish people (with Muslims not even allowed to charge interest on credit) and other commerce dealings when they wanted to keep their people strictly under their own power and control.

Alot of the stuff in the Koran is like modern day political powers trying to exert and win influence over the voters, by slagging off the other political parties.

Answer 11

{commentary}
2:96
And you shall find them (the lām of la-tajidannahum is for oaths) the people most covetous of life, and, more covetous of it than, the idolaters, who reject the [idea of the] Resurrection, for the former know that their journey's end will be the Fire, while the idolaters do not believe even in this; any one of them would love, wishes, that he might be given life for a thousand years (law yu'ammar, '[if only] he might be given life': the particle law, 'if only', relates to the verbal noun and functions with the sense of an, 'that', and together with its relative clause explains the [implicit] verbal noun in the object of the verb yawaddu, 'he would love'); yet, any one of them, his being given life (an yu'ammara, 'that he should be given life', constitutes the subject of the verb muzahzihihi, 'that it should budge him' [this verb comes later], as though it were ta'mīruhu, 'the giving of life to him') shall not budge, remove, him from the chastisement, of the Fire. God sees what they do (ya'malūna may be alternatively read ta'malūna, 'you do'), and will requite them. ['Abd Allāh] Ibn Sūryā asked the Prophet (s), or 'Umar [b. al-Khattāb], about which angel brings down the revelation, and he replied that it was Gabriel; he [Ibn Sūryā] then said, 'He is our enemy, because he brings chastisement with him; had it been Michael, we would have believed in him, because he brings fertility and security.' Then, the following was revealed:


2:97

Say, to them: 'Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel, let him die in exasperation - he it was that brought it, the Qur'ān, down upon your heart by the leave, by the command, of God, confirming what was before it, of scriptures, a guidance, from error, and good tidings, of Paradise, for the believers.