Did Islam supersede Judaism concerning Jerusalem?

Some argue that based on Surah 17 verse 1 of the Quran, Islam supersedes Judaism concerning Jerusalem. How is this perspective presented?

This is a complex and controversial question that has been debated by scholars and religious leaders for centuries. There is no definitive answer, but I will try to explain some of the main arguments that have been made by those who believe that Islam abrogates Judaism in relation to Jerusalem.

One argument is based on the interpretation of Surah 17 verse 1 of the Quran, which states:

“Exalted is He who took His servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. “

Some Muslims understand this verse to mean that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was taken by Allah from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to the Farthest Mosque in Jerusalem, where he prayed and ascended to heaven. This miraculous journey is known as the Isra and Mi'raj, and it is celebrated by Muslims as a sign of Allah's favor and guidance.

According to this view, the Farthest Mosque (al-Masjid al-Aqsa) refers to the entire compound of the Noble Sanctuary (Haram al-Sharif) in Jerusalem, which includes the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This compound is considered the third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina, and the first qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims.

Some Muslims believe that by taking Prophet Muhammad to Jerusalem, Allah honored and sanctified the city and its surroundings, and transferred the religious authority and leadership from the Jews to the Muslims. They argue that the Jews had violated their covenant with Allah by rejecting and killing the prophets, and that Allah had chosen the Muslims as the new community of believers and the inheritors of the Abrahamic legacy.

Another argument is based on the historical and political events that occurred after the death of Prophet Muhammad. Some Muslims claim that the Islamic conquests and expansions in the seventh and eighth centuries CE were a divine mandate and a fulfillment of the Quranic prophecies. They point out that the Muslims liberated Jerusalem from the Byzantine rule in 638 CE, and built the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the site of the former Jewish temples, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians and the Romans.

According to this view, the Muslim presence and rule in Jerusalem was a sign of Allah's blessing and favor, and a proof of the superiority and validity of Islam over Judaism. They argue that the Jews had lost their right and claim to Jerusalem, and that the Muslims were the rightful custodians and guardians of the holy city and its sacred sites.

These are some of the main arguments that have been made by those who believe that Islam abrogates Judaism in relation to Jerusalem.


Matthew 24:1-2

[1] And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

[2] And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

How is the event of the destruction of two Jewish temples portrayed in Surah 17:5-7 according to the Quran?

Surah 17, also known as Surah Al-Isra (The Night Journey) or Bani Isra'il (The Children of Israel), in the Quran refers to the destruction of the two Jewish temples in verses 5-7. These verses discuss the consequences of the Israelites' actions and the divine retribution that followed. Here is a brief outline of how the event is portrayed:

Verse 5: Allah warns the Israelites that when the first of the two warnings would come to pass, He would send against them servants of His (Babylonians), endowed with great might, who would ravage their homes and it would be a warning fulfilled.

Verse 6: After the first punishment, Allah mentions that He gave them a chance to recover and granted them wealth and children, increasing them in number.

Verse 7: It emphasizes that if they did good, it would be for their own benefit, and if they did evil, it would be to their detriment. When the second warning would come to pass, Allah would send enemies Romans to disgrace them and enter the temple as the Babylonians had entered it the first time, destroying what they had taken over with utter destruction.

These verses are often interpreted to refer to historical events where the Jewish temples were destroyed as a consequence of the people's actions. The first destruction is commonly associated with the Babylonian conquest and the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE. The second destruction is often linked to the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.

The portrayal in these verses emphasizes the moral and spiritual accountability of the Israelites, indicating that their suffering and the destruction of their temples were a result of their turning away from divine guidance and engaging in wrongdoing.

Interpreting Biblical Prophecies: The Supersession of Judaism by Islam through Isaiah 60 and Amos 5

Some people believe that Islam supersedes Judaism based on the comparison of Isaiah 60, verse 7, and Amos 5, verses 21 to 22. They argue that since God allowed the destruction of two Jewish temples, it signifies a shift towards Islam. In this context, Kedar symbolizes Islam. Can you provide an explanation for this interpretation?

The interpretation that Islam supersedes Judaism based on the comparison of Isaiah 60, verse 7, and Amos 5, verses 21 to 22, is a viewpoint held by some individuals. It is important to note that interpretations of religious texts can vary among different people and scholars.

Isaiah 60, verse 7, states, “All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you, The rams of Nebaioth will serve you; They will go up on My altar with acceptance, And I will glorify My glorious house.” Meanwhile, Amos 5, verses 21 to 22, says, "I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them."

Those who argue for the supremacy of Islam over Judaism often interpret Kedar mentioned in Isaiah as a reference to Islam. Kedar was an ancient Arab tribe descended from Ishmael, who is considered the forefather of many Arab peoples. They believe that this verse signifies a shift towards Islam because it mentions Kedar's flocks being gathered and serving on God's altar.

They relate it to the ritual of Hajj in Mecca, where pilgrims commemorate the biblical event of Abraham sacrificing his first-born son Ishmael instead of Isaac. Some believe that the entire chapter of Isaiah 60 fulfills the prophecy mentioned in Deuteronomy 33, verse 2, regarding Mount Paran, which is also connected to Hagar's prophecy in Genesis 21, verse 18.

Furthermore, they connect this interpretation with Amos 5, verses 21 to 22, where God expresses his dissatisfaction with Jewish religious practices. The destruction of two Jewish temples (the First Temple by Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Second Temple by Romans in 70 CE) is seen as evidence supporting this argument. They claim that these events symbolize God's disapproval of Judaism and his acceptance or preference for Islam.

It is crucial to understand that this interpretation represents a specific perspective within certain circles rather than a universally accepted belief among all Muslims or scholars. Interpretations of religious texts can vary widely depending on individual beliefs, cultural contexts, historical circumstances, and scholarly analysis.

It should also be noted that there are numerous other interpretations regarding these verses within both Islamic and Jewish traditions which may differ significantly from the viewpoint mentioned above.