Through Their Own Scriptures: How Jewish Texts View Muslims and the World

We are often told that dialogue, tolerance, and interfaith harmony must be built without looking into each other’s scriptures. But what happens when the very books held sacred by a people reveal dangerous ideas about others — especially Muslims?

This is not about spreading hatred. It is about uncovering hidden truths from Jewish sacred texts themselves, truths rarely mentioned in polite conversation but crucial for every Muslim to understand. With the rise of Zionism and the brutal oppression of Palestinians, ignoring the ideological foundations behind it would be a disservice to justice and awareness.

This is a journey into the Talmud, the Mishnah, and rabbinical commentaries — citing them directly — to understand how deep these attitudes go, and why Muslims must approach political realities with open eyes and firm hearts.

The “Goyim” in the Talmud: A Dehumanised Other

In Jewish texts, the term “Goyim” refers to non-Jews. Muslims, Christians, and all others fall under this category.

The Talmud, one of Judaism’s most revered legal and theological texts, contains numerous passages that degrade the Goyim:

• • Sanhedrin 57a: “If a gentile strikes a Jew, he must be killed.”

• • Baba Kamma 113a: “It is permitted to deceive a gentile.”

• • Yebamoth 98a: “All gentile children are animals.”

• • Abodah Zarah 26b: “Gentile girls are in a state of niddah (impurity) from birth.”

In these rulings, non-Jews are often portrayed as spiritually inferior, morally suspect, and legally disposable. This is not a fringe view. These are foundational legal opinions within traditional Rabbinic Judaism.

Islam, in contrast, elevated non-Muslims under the protection of the Islamic state (Ahl al-Dhimmah) and forbade injustice even against enemies:

“And do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Qur’an 5:8)

Islam and Muslims in Rabbinic Thought

Islamic scholars historically noted that some Jewish rabbis saw Islam differently from Christianity, viewing it as less idolatrous. However, this “better” view was limited and strategic.

Maimonides (Rambam), one of Judaism’s greatest medieval authorities, wrote in his Mishneh Torah:

• • While Islam is not considered idolatry, Muslims are still viewed as “erring in belief,” and Islamic monotheism is described as deficient because it denies Jewish claims of divine favoritism.

In his Letter to Yemen (Iggeret Teman), Maimonides described Islam as a religion destined to be ultimately superseded by Judaism at the arrival of the Messiah.

Thus, even in the most “respectful” Jewish readings, Islam is portrayed as a lesser, temporary, and misguided faith.

Religious Roots of Modern Zionism

Zionism is often painted purely as a secular nationalist movement. Yet its deepest ideological roots are nourished by religious superiority and exclusivism.

Many Zionist settlers, particularly the religious nationalist movement (Gush Emunim), justify land theft and ethnic cleansing through Talmudic and Torah-based arguments.

Examples include:

• • The interpretation of Genesis 15:18 that “God gave the land to the descendants of Abraham” — selectively applied only to Jews.

• • Sotah 35b: Gentile property is “like ownerless desert land” — an idea invoked to justify seizure of Palestinian homes and farms.

• • Berakhot 58a: “The best of the gentiles — kill him” — cited by extremist elements to rationalise violence against Palestinians.

The racism is not modern; it is scriptural. The apartheid walls of Gaza and the checkpoints of the West Bank are the physical manifestation of ancient ideological walls drawn centuries ago.

Islam: A Contrast in Divine Mercy

Islam did not call for domination based on ethnicity or bloodline. It called for submission to the Creator and justice to creation.

The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, in his final sermon, declared:

“No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, and no non-Arab has superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black over a white — except by piety and good action.” (Musnad Ahmad)

In the Qur’an:

“Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam…” (Qur’an 17:70)

There is no “chosen race” in Islam. There is only chosen righteousness.

Conclusion: Eyes Open, Hearts Upright

Knowing these teachings is not about hatred. It is about understanding the ideological roots of political and religious movements that impact Muslims globally.

Allah warns us:

“You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah.” (Qur’an 5:82)

Yet Islam commands us:

“And do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just.” (Qur’an 5:8)

We are not commanded to hate. We are commanded to be aware, strong, and just.

To know what is written. To know what is hidden. And to stand, unshaken, upon the truth.

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⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is a journalistic investigation into specific historical and religious texts. It critiques ideologies, not individuals or ethnicities. Our aim is awareness. Islam commands justice and fairness. We stand firmly against racism and bigotry in all forms.