Quranic Verses on the Land of Israel/Palestine – Conditional Covenant
| Quranic Verse | Allah’s Command/Condition | Consequence of Disobedience | Islamic Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surah Al-Baqarah (2:47, 83, 122) | “Worship none but Allah; be just to people, establish prayer, give charity.” | “You turned away except a few” (2:83) | Land granted only if Jews obey God’s laws. |
| Surah Al-Isra (17:4-8) | “Do not spread corruption or arrogance.” | Exiled twice for corruption; invaders destroyed their homes. | No permanent right – land can be taken away. |
| Surah Al-A’raf (7:137) | “The oppressed will inherit the land.” | — | Land given to Israelites after Pharaoh’s tyranny, but later lost. |
| Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:21-22) | “Enter the Holy Land with faith.” | Israelites refused out of fear (weak faith). | Entry was conditional on courage and trust in Allah. |
Key Theological Conclusions
- Conditional, Not Eternal: The Quran rejects the idea of an unbreakable divine promise of land to Jews.
- Moral Obligations: Stewardship of the land requires justice, monotheism, and piety – failed by Israelites (per Quran 17:4-8).
- Open to Righteous Believers: The land is a trust for any righteous people (including Muslims), not exclusive to Jews.
Modern Debate
- Zionists cite the Torah (Genesis 15:18) for an “eternal deed” to Israel.
- Muslims argue the Quran supersedes this with conditions and historical consequences of disobedience.
Who Does Israel Belong to in the Quran?
1. Historically: It was given to the Children of Israel, but they lost it due to corruption.
2. Currently: The Quran does not affirm Jewish ownership today. Instead, it implies that righteous believers (Muslims) are the rightful inheritors of sacred lands.
3. Future: Islamic tradition predicts Muslim rule over Jerusalem, not Jewish sovereignty.
