(Part 12)
Rifat Shafik
In a series of materials devoted to the negative qualities of Jews, in this part we will look at another important and dangerous feature inherent in them.
11. Silence in the face of vice and rejection of the command of what is approved and restraint from what is reprehensible
Among the vicious phenomena that were especially common among Jews, especially among their scholars and religious leaders, was that they remained silent in the face of evil and wickedness, and also left a great religious injunction to command what was approved and to keep from what was condemned.
To clarify this trait, let us turn to the verses of the Holy Quran and the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
«﴿لُعلنَ الََنَاهَوْنَ عَنْ مفَنكَرا فَعَلُوهُ﴾
(المایدة: 78-79)»
Translation:
«Cursed were those of the children of Israel who did not believe because they did not restrain each other from committing bad deeds».
In a commentary to this verse, the imam and Mufassir Allama Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) writes:
«قوله تعالى: كانوا لا يتناهون أي: لا ينهى بعُهم بعُال لبس ما كانوا يفعلون אممُ لتركهم النهي.»
Translation:
The words of Allah Almighty: «كانوا لا يتناهون» mean that they did not restrain each other from committing sinful acts. And the expression «لبنس ما كانوا يفعلون» indicates how disgusting their behavior was. Thus, they were censured for refusing the obligation to deter evil.
Imam Abu Daoud (may Allah have mercy on him) conveyed the following hadith about this in his collection:
«عن عبد الله بن مسعود رُي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلی الله علیه وسلم: القه على بني أكيله وشريبه وقيده الرجه فيقول يا فعلا هاتق الله ودع ما تصنعفنه لا يحل لك م يلقاه منالاد فلا منه علك ن ن يكون أكيله وشريبه وعيده لما فلما فعلا با ا اللبابلبه عماعمه.
Translation:
It is reported from Abdullah ibn Mas’qu’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
«The first signs of decline among the sons of Israel appeared when one person met another and told him: “Oh so-and-so! Fear Allah and leave what you do, for this is not allowed to you”. However, the very next day he met him again, and this did not stop him from sitting with him, eating and drinking with him and maintaining friendly relations with him. When they began to do this, Allah sowed enmity and disagreement between their hearts».
This trait of the Jews was not limited to past generations. Its manifestations can be observed in our time. That is why there is no true unity among them. Although some people believe that they are united and united, this idea is not true. Allah Almighty says:
««You consider them united, but their hearts are divided».»
In contrast, Allah Almighty described believers with a different quality, in that they fulfill the duty to command what is approved and to keep them from what is reprehensible.
«﴿وَالْمُوفَ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرَ﴾
(التوبة: 71)»
Translation:
«Believing men and believing women are helpers and patrons to each other: they command what is approved and keep from what is reprehensible».
