As you will see from the following quotes, the Quran does have the effect, if not the design, of promoting disparagement of Jews and Christians. The quotes are from the English version of the Quran and although some content may have been lost in translation, the main ideas of the verses are clear. Upon reading these verses, three things should become clear. That The Quran shows clear animosity toward Jews and Christians.
That the verses are written in an argumentative style that is more typical of a
person than of God. That the overall style and certain references do not conform to the biblical text that (supposedly) contain the roots of Islam. See (5:44). Surly these issues are subjective, however we must consider what the majority of people would consider reasonable.
82:62 Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish
(scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
This is nice sentiment, however it will be repeatedly contradicted in later text.
Shortly after this was written Muhammad's army slaughtered hundreds of Jews and sold their women and children into slavery when they took the city of Medina.
2:111 And they say: "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain) desires. Say: "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."
Who said that and where is it written? If this refers to a quote from Torah it is
God's words and not that of the Jewish people.The fact is the Torah and Talmud says no such concept. Judaism teaches ANYONE can bring the presence of God upon themselves;you don't have to be Jewish.Talmud:
Tosefta,Saheddrin 13: The righteous of all nations have a share in the World to Come.Zohar: Tana DeBei Eliahu Rabbah 9: I call heaven and earth as witnesses:Any individual,whether gentile or Jew,man or woman,servant or maid,can bring the Divine Presence upon himself in accordance to his deeds.
The language and communication style used in this verse as in all of these verses, is noticibly different from that in both the Torah and in the New Testament. At any rate the verse has a malicious tone that disparages other religions.
2:113 The Jews say: "The Christians have naught (to stand) upon; and the
Christians say: "The Jews have naught (To stand) upon." Yet they (Profess to) study the(same) Book. Like unto their word is what those say who know not; but Allah will judge between them in their quarrel on the Day of Judgment.
Again the communication style differs from that which we are used to, and again
we see language that appears to be intended to discredit Jews and Christians. The main issue here is that Jews and Christians do not in fact profess to study the same book. Certainly God would know this, Muhammad on the other hand, evidently did not. This discrepancy suggests that it was in fact Muhammad that wrote the Quran.
2:120 Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou
follow their form of religion. Say: "The Guidance of Allah,-that is the (only) Guidance."
Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then
wouldst thou find neither Protector nor helper against Allah.
Consider the point of view of the author, although written in the third person it
seems as though the author is obsessed with deliberation with the Jewish and Christian people. This verse seems to reflect emotions that are more typical of a man than of God. Also as I have shown above,Judaism teaches no such thing
2:135 They say: "Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (To
salvation)." Say thou: "Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham the True, and he
joined not gods with Allah."
Who says this? Certainly, if this text was written by God he would remember
commanding that the Jews make no attempt to covert non-Jews.
2:140 Or do ye say that Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do ye know better than Allah. Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah. but Allah is not unmindful of what ye do!
This verse like those before it is written in an argumentative style that would be
unlikely of God. It also contains the direct accusation that Jews and Christians are
unjust.
4:46 Of the Jews there are those who displace words from their (right) places, and say: "We hear and we disobey"; and "Hear what is not Heard"; and "Ra'ina"; with a twist of their tongues and a slander to Faith. If only they had said: "What hear and we obey"; and "Do hear"; and "Do look at us"; it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allah hath cursed them for their Unbelief; and but few of them will believe.
The debasement of the Jews continues in this verse with a supposed statement by God that he has cursed the entire religion. Is this not in direct conflict with verse 82:62? Also the Quran says Isa (Jesus) came to confirm the Torah,the same one used today, so how is it changed? In fact,the Quran has been changed,but I will get to that later.
4:160 For the iniquity of the Jews We made unlawful for them certain (foods)
good and wholesome which had been lawful for them;- in that they hindered many from Allah's Way;
I assume this verse refers to the Kosher restrictions. If this is the case, the author clearly does not understand the nature of the Kosher restrictions. A good question that comes to mind is, why would God punish the Jews with restrictions if the Jews typically disobey such commandments? ("We hear and we disobey ,4:46).
2:120 Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou
follow their form of religion. Say: "The Guidance of Allah,-that is the (only) Guidance."
Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then
wouldst thou find neither Protector nor helper against Allah.
5:18 (Both) the Jews and the Christians say: "We are sons of Allah, and his
beloved." Say: "Why then doth He punish you for your sins? Nay, ye are but men,- of the men he hath created: He forgiveth whom He pleaseth, and He punisheth whom He pleaseth: and to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between: and unto Him is the final goal (of all)"
Here the point made by the author possesses no obvious flaws. What is apparent here as in most of the verses, is the anti-Jew, anti-Christian theme. The style also suggests that the sentiments are the words of a personally involved party and not of the King of kings.
5:41 O Messenger. let not those grieve thee, who race each other into unbelief:
(whether it be) among those who say "We believe" with their lips but whose hearts have no faith; or it be among the Jews,- men who will listen to any lie,- will listen even to others who have never so much as come to thee. They change the words from their (right) times and places: they say, "If ye are given this, take it, but if not, beware!" If any one's trial is intended by Allah, thou hast no authority in the least for him against Allah. For such - it is not Allah.s will to purify their hearts. For them there is disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a heavy punishment.
Here we see another clear attempt to slander the Jewish people. Had this been an article published in a newspaper it would surly be condemned as an anti-Semitic assault. If we expect more than this from men, how much more could we expect from God.
5:44 It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance
and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah's will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear me, and sell not my signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers.
The Quran was written around 600 AD, yet in this verse we see the attempt by
Islam to make the retroactive claim that Jewish history was in fact Islamic history
incognito. I assume the Muslims have an elaborate explanation as to why it took
thousands of years to get things straightened out. It is important to note however, that Muhammad's people stood to gain a great deal from such a claim. There is also a sub claim here, Islam refers to Torah as "Gods book" this suggests that Torah is in fact a bench mark for discussion of Islam. Therefore, it would be an inconsistency to refute it's teachings.Yet the previous verse mentions it was changed.This makes little sence. This is done in Quran both directly and accidentally. (2:111 And they say: "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain)desires. Say: "Produce your proof if ye are truthful.").
In verse 5:44 the author shifts from criticism of Jews to pro active Judgment of
the Jews (by Muslims),( If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers.).
5:51 O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and
protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.
I probably don't need to point out the defamation of the Jewish and Christian
people in verse 5:51, and it should be clear to the plainest of logic that this verse was written by a man with a great deal of animosity toward these people.
5:64 The Jews say: "(Allah)'s hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief.
Here the vilification of the Jews grows more intense with the assertion that God's
chosen people are now hated by God. Once again the author reveals his personal
involvement with his hostility toward the Jews for rejecting the Quran. One thing that is important to note here is that when Torah speaks of people falling out of grace with God it is referring to small, limited groups of people such as those in Sodom and Gomorrah. Those people were dispatched, and the story ended leaving only history. In contrast, the Quran's affront of Jews and Christians has the very different effect of ongoing malice toward a living race of people. This is unacceptable by today's standards, and is simply not the way of God.
But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their
obstinate rebellion and blasphemy.
This statement was supposedly written before the Jews had knowledge of it, how
then could they have rejected it? This is like saying, "I would have sent cash but I
already sealed the envelope". Perhaps God was foretelling the future, like when he said he would harden Pharaohs heart? If that is the case, one must ask why God had confidence in the Jewish people for so long only to pre-condemn them this time?
5:69 Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures),
and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
How can any reasonable person expect that this would be possible given the
damaging statements made in other verses?
5:82 Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and
Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.
It appears as though the author has changed his mind about the Christians for the time being.
6:146 For those who followed the Jewish Law, We forbade every (animal) with
undivided hoof, and We forbade them that fat of the ox and the sheep, except what
adheres to their backs or their entrails, or is mixed up with a bone: this in recompense for their wilful disobedience: for We are true (in Our ordinances).
This is an obvious misunderstanding of the Kosher restrictions. It is not likely
that God would make such a grievous error. Perhaps the use of the term we ( first
person) refers to Muslims, of which the author is one. If this is the case than it would seem to imply that the Quran is expressing the views of Muhammad, and not of God. Some may argue that the term "we" was used because God is a Muslim. This idea would not make sense given that the term "Muslim" means "one who submits to God." Similarly it would imply that the Muslims are God's peers. This would go against the most fundamental tenants of Islam.
9:30 The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of
Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!
The author of this verse clearly has no knowledge of Judaism. I say this because, as every Jew knows the idea that God would have a son is an absurdity to Judaism.
16:118 To the Jews We prohibited such things as We have mentioned to thee
before: We did them no wrong, but they were used to doing wrong to themselves.
I assume the repeated use of the word "we" is a slip by Muhammad . At any rate the simplicity of the logic here speaks for itself.
22:17 Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish
(scriptures), and the Sabians, Christians, Magians, and Polytheists,- Allah will judge
between them on the Day of Judgment: for Allah is witness of all things.
The use of the phrase "judge between them" reinforces my assertion that these
verses are written in an argumentative format more typical of a human author than of
God.
These issues are subject to each persons individual interpretation of what is likely and what is reasonable. What is clear, is that the Quran does contain defamatory remarks toward Jews and Christians, and that the writing style of the Quran differs from both the Old and New Testament. Also clear is that the style of these verses is argumentative and seem to focus on a dispute between men. Of particular significance, is the fact that historical accounts of the time period suggest that Muhammad did in fact, have political reasons that parallel the opinions expressed in the Quran. Does this seem to be an incredible coincidence? Another issue, is the abundance of staked evidence. Of the twenty quotes found regarding Judaism, only two spoke well of other religions and they did so in a precursory manner. As mentioned previously each person must draw his or her own conclusions. As for myself, I am reasonably certain that God would not speak
that way of his chosen people.