The Children of Israel (Bani Israel) - in the Quran

The Children of Israel (Bani Israel) in the Quran refers to the descendants of Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob), who was also known as Israel. The Children of Israel are mentioned in many places throughout the Quran, and their story is an important part of Islamic theology. The Quran describes them as a community that received many prophets and scriptures from Allah, including Prophet Moses (Musa), who is considered one of the most important prophets in Islam.

The Children of Israel were chosen by Allah to receive His guidance and to be a model community for the rest of humanity. However, they repeatedly disobeyed Allah's commands and failed to fulfill their responsibilities. As a result, they were subjected to various trials and tribulations, including exile and slavery. Despite these challenges, the Quran emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions of the Children of Israel to the history of Islam and their role in carrying the message of Allah to the world.

The Children of Israel (Bani Israel) are descendants of the Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob), who was also known as Israel in the Quran. The story of Bani Israel is mentioned extensively throughout the Quran, covering their history, prophets, and their relationship with Allah.

Bani Israel played a significant role in the revelation of the Quran, as the majority of the stories about the prophets mentioned in the Quran revolve around their interactions with Bani Israel. The Quran describes Bani Israel as a chosen nation, to whom Allah had given guidance and many blessings. However, the Quran also describes their disobedience, arrogance, and forgetfulness of Allah's blessings.

The Quran narrates various events in the history of Bani Israel, such as the exodus of Prophet Moses and his followers from Egypt, their wandering in the desert for forty years, the construction of the Tabernacle, and their conquest of the land of Canaan.

The Quran also mentions the disputes and divisions among the tribes of Bani Israel, such as the rivalry between the tribes of Judah and Joseph, and their constant disobedience to the prophets sent to guide them. Despite their shortcomings, the Quran emphasizes that Allah always showed mercy to Bani Israel and sent many prophets to guide them to the right path.

The Children of Israel (Bani Israel) are a group of people who are the descendants of Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob) and played a significant role in the revelation of the Quran. The Quran narrates their history, prophets, blessings, and shortcomings, emphasizing the importance of guidance and obedience to Allah's commands.


The Children of Israel (Bani Israel) are mentioned in various verses of the Quran. While they are not explicitly mentioned by name in every verse, they are referred to indirectly in many verses that discuss their history or actions. It is estimated that there are around 80 verses in the Quran that mention the Children of Israel or address them indirectly.

Some of the key verses that explicitly mention the Children of Israel include:

Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 47: "O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I have bestowed upon you and that I preferred you over the worlds."

Surah Al-Maida, verse 20: "And [mention, O Muhammad], when Moses said to his people, 'O my people, remember the favor of Allah upon you when He appointed among you prophets and made you possessors and gave you that which He had not given anyone among the worlds.'"

Surah Al-Isra, verse 2: "And We gave Moses the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel that you not take other than Me as Disposer of affairs,"

Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 48: "And We had already given Moses and Aaron the criterion and a light and a reminder for the righteous."

These verses and many others in the Quran emphasize the special status that the Children of Israel were given by Allah and remind them of the favors bestowed upon them. At the same time, they also address the shortcomings and disobedience of some among them and the consequences of their actions.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:63), Allah reminds the Children of Israel about the favors He bestowed upon them and how they broke their covenant with Him.

In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:20-26), Allah tells the story of the Children of Israel and their disobedience towards Him, and how some of them rejected the message of their prophets.

In Surah Al-A'raf (7:137), Allah reminds the Children of Israel about how He saved them from the oppression of Pharaoh and his people.

In Surah Al-Anbiya (21:48-49), Allah mentions how He chose the Children of Israel as His special nation and sent them prophets to guide them to the right path.

In Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:50), Allah reminds the Children of Israel about how they will be judged on the Day of Judgment for their deeds.

These are just a few examples of the verses in the Quran that mention the Children of Israel. There are many more throughout the Quran that highlight their story and relationship with Allah.

"And We saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment." (Quran 2:49)

"And [mention, O Muhammad], when Moses said to his people, 'O my people, remember the favor of Allah upon you when He appointed among you prophets and made you possessors and gave you that which He had not given anyone among the worlds.'" (Quran 5:20)

"And [mention] when We saved your forefathers from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with the worst torment, slaughtering your sons and keeping your women alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord." (Quran 2:49)

"And [mention] when We gave Moses the Scripture and criterion that perhaps you would be guided." (Quran 2:53)

"And [recall] when We took your covenant, [O Children of Israel], and We raised over you the mount, [saying], 'Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that you might fear Allah.'" (Quran 2:63)

There are many other verses in the Quran that mention the Children of Israel, as they play a significant role in Islamic history and theology.

"And We gave the Children of Israel the Book and the criterion of right and wrong, and We provided them with good things and favored them over the worlds." (Quran 45:16)

"And [mention, O Muhammad], when Moses said to his people, 'O my people, remember the favor of Allah upon you when He appointed among you prophets and made you possessors and gave you that which He had not given anyone among the worlds.'" (Quran 5:20)

"And [mention] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing." (Quran 2:83)

"And [We cursed them] for their breaking of the covenant and their disbelief in the signs of Allah and their killing of the prophets without right and their saying, 'Our hearts are wrapped.' Rather, Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few." (Quran 4:155)

"And We did certainly give the Children of Israel the Scripture and judgement and prophethood, and We provided them with good things and preferred them over the worlds." (Quran 45:16)

These are just a few examples, as there are many more verses in the Quran that mention the Children of Israel (Bani Israel).

"And We gave to Moses the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel that you not take other than Me as Disposer of affairs," (Surah Al-Isra 17:2)

"And We saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment. From Pharaoh. Indeed, he was a haughty one among the transgressors." (Surah Al-Qasas 28:5-6)

"And remember, O Children of Israel, when We made a covenant with you and saved you from Pharaoh." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:27)

These verses, along with others, describe the history of the Children of Israel and their relationship with Allah.

"We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of messengers; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you a messenger with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride? - Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay!" (2:87)

"And [recall] when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing." (2:83)

"And We divided them into twelve descendant tribes [as distinct] nations. And We inspired to Moses when his people implored him for water, "Strike with your staff the stone," and there gushed forth from it twelve springs. Every people knew its watering place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down upon them manna and quails, [saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you." And they wronged Us not, but they were [only] wronging themselves." (7:160)

"And We delivered the Children of Israel from the humiliating chastisement. And We chose them, knowingly, above all peoples." (44:30-32)

"O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you, and fulfil your covenant with Me, I shall fulfil My covenant with you; and fear Me." (2:40)

These verses, among others, describe the relationship between Allah and the Children of Israel, and the responsibilities and blessings that come with being chosen as a special community.

"And We saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment" (Surah Al-Qasas 28:5)

These verses, and many others, describe the history, teachings, and relationship of the Children of Israel with Allah.

"And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], 'Bring out your people from darkness into the light and remind them of the days of Allah.' Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful." (Quran 14:5)

"And [recall] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], 'Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].'" (Quran 2:125)

"And We said to the Children of Israel after him, 'Dwell in the land, and when there comes the promise of the Hereafter, We will bring you forth in [one] gathering.'" (Quran 17:104)

These verses, and many others, describe the history, struggles, and relationship between God and the Children of Israel in the Quran.

"And We divided them into twelve tribes as distinct nations. And We inspired to Moses when his people implored him for water, 'Strike with your staff the stone,' and there gushed forth from it twelve springs. Every people knew its watering place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down upon them manna and quails, [saying], 'Eat from the good things with which We have provided you.' And they wronged Us not, but they were [only] wronging themselves." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:60)

"And [mention] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:83)

"And We delivered the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, "I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims [i.e., those who submit to Allah]." (Surah Yunus 10:90)

"And We gave Moses the Scripture, and after him We sent messengers and We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Holy Spirit. Is it [not] that every time a messenger came to you, [O Children of Israel], with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party [of messengers] you denied and another party you killed." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:87)

These are just a few examples, as there are many more verses in the Quran that mention the Children of Israel.

The Children of Israel (Bani Israel) are a group of people mentioned frequently in the Quran. They are the descendants of Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob) and are believed to be the chosen people of Allah. The Quran mentions them in many contexts, including their history, their prophets, their disobedience to Allah, their punishment, and their future. Some of the key figures among the Children of Israel mentioned in the Quran include Prophet Musa (Moses), Prophet Dawud (David), Prophet Sulayman (Solomon), and Prophet Isa (Jesus). The Quran also describes their exodus from Egypt, their wanderings in the desert, their conquest of the Holy Land, and their subsequent decline and exile. The Children of Israel are considered an important part of Islamic history and theology, and their story is studied and reflected upon by Muslims around the world.

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