Allah Almighty, favoured the nation of Bani Israel and bestowed many virtues and favours upon them. This article discusses some of the virtues that Allah enriched the nation of Bani Israel [children of Yaqub peace be upon him]. 

Allah grants favours to his servants, with the prime purpose of being thankful to him, remembering him and acknowledging his favours. Undoubtedly, Allah has honoured our nation, the nation of Muhammad [Allah bless him] above all. No nation has been called the ‘best of nations’ [see Quran-3:110]. 

Thus we should reflect and take lessons from the past nations and not fall into the same error. 

 

10 FAVOURS OF ALLAH TO BANI ISRAEL

 

1. Preferred above others during their time.
2. Saved them from being enslaved from Pharoah
3. Partition of the sea
4. Rescued from Pharoah
5. Being Forgiven for worshipping the calf
6. Musa [Allah bless him] and the Tawrah being sent to guide them
7. Another chance of forgiveness [asking to see Allah – being raised after death]
8. Shaded from the heat and heavenly food
9. Permission to enter Baitul Maqdis
10. Water gushing from a rock

 

Favour 1 – Preferred above others during their time

 

يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتِىَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَنِّى فَضَّلْتُكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

 

O Children of Isrā’īl (Israel), remember My blessing that I conferred upon you, and that I gave you excellence over the worlds; [2-47]

 

The Noble Quran mentions various favours Allah conferred to the nation of Bani Israel. One of which was the sending of multiple messengers from amongst them. 

 

Favour 2 – Saved them from being enslaved from Pharoah

وَإِذْ نَجَّيْنَـٰكُم مِّنْ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَسُومُونَكُمْ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ يُذَبِّحُونَ أَبْنَآءَكُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيُونَ نِسَآءَكُمْ ۚ وَفِى ذَٰلِكُم بَلَآءٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَظِيمٌۭ

(Remember) when We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh! They had been inflicting on you grievous torment, slaughtering your sons and leaving your women alive. In all that, there was a great trial from your Lord. [2:49]

 

 

The Pharaoh was a powerful leader of his time and had sovereignty over the lands of Egypt. The Pharaoh boasted regarding this: 

 

وَنَادَىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى قَوْمِهِۦ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ أَلَيْسَ لِى مُلْكُ مِصْرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِىٓ ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ ٥١ 

 

And Pharaoh called out to his people, boasting, “O my people! Am I not sovereign over Egypt as well as ˹all˺ these streams flowing at my feet? Can you not see? [43:51] 

 

He belonged to the Copts and would enslave Bani Israel, simply due to them being from another tribe. He transgressed all bounds and would inflict painful punishment to the Bani Israel. The Pharaoh being the ruler of Egypt, perceived himself as untouchable and would proclaim himself as God. Allah states: 

 

فَمَآ ءَامَنَ لِمُوسَىٰٓ إِلَّا ذُرِّيَّةٌۭ مِّن قَوْمِهِۦ عَلَىٰ خَوْفٍۢ مِّن فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِمْ أَن يَفْتِنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ لَعَالٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ ٨٣ 

 

But no one believed in Moses except a few youths of his people, while fearing that Pharaoh and their own chiefs might persecute them. And certainly Pharaoh was a tyrant in the land, and he was truly a transgressor. [10:83]

 

As for his proclamation of being God:

فَقَالَ أَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ ٢٤

 

and said, “I am your supreme lord.” [79:24]

 

Almighty Allah granted a great favour by saving the Bani Israel from the evil of The Pharaoh.

 

Favour 3 – Partition of the sea

 

وَإِذْ فَرَقْنَا بِكُمُ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَأَنجَيْنَـٰكُمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَآ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ

 

And (recall) when We parted the sea for you; then We saved you, and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were looking on! [2:50]

 

Allah illustrates the scene of Pharaoh and his army chasing Musa [Allah bless him] and Bani Israel. Allah states: 

 

 وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِىٓ إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ [٥٢] فَأَرْسَلَ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى ٱلْمَدَآئِنِ حَـٰشِرِينَ [٥٢]  إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ لَشِرْذِمَةٌۭ قَلِيلُونَ ٥٤ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ لَشِرْذِمَةٌۭ قَلِيلُونَ ٥٤  وَإِنَّهُمْ لَنَا لَغَآئِظُونَ ٥٥ وَإِنَّا لَجَمِيعٌ حَـٰذِرُونَ ٥٦ فَأَخْرَجْنَـٰهُم مِّن جَنَّـٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ ٥٧ وَكُنُوزٍۢ وَمَقَامٍۢ كَرِيمٍۢ ٥٨ كَذَٰلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَـٰهَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٥٩ فَأَتْبَعُوهُم مُّشْرِقِينَ ٦٠ فَلَمَّا تَرَٰٓءَا ٱلْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَـٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ ٦١ قَالَ كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ ٦٢ فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ ۖ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍۢ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ٦٣

 

And We revealed to Mūsā saying, “Make My servants travel at night. You will be pursued.” So Pharaoh sent into the cities (his) men to muster (people) saying, “These are a small band, and indeed they are enraging us, and we are a host, well-armed.” Thus We expelled them (i.e. the people of Pharaoh) from gardens and springs, and from treasures and a noble abode. Thus it was. And We made the children of Isrā’īl inherit all such things. So they (the people of Pharaoh) pursued them (the people of Mūsā) at the time of sunrise. And when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Mūsā said, “Surely we are overtaken.” He said, “Never! Indeed with me is my Lord. He will guide me.”So We revealed to Mūsā saying, “Strike the sea with your staff.” So it was severed apart, and each part became like a big mountain.[26:52-63]

 

 

In impossible circumstances, Allah saved Bani Israel through an amazing miracle via the blessed hands of Musa [Allah bless him]. What looked like no escape and no escape possible, Allah divinely inspired Musa [Allah bless him] to strike the sea with his staff, thus parting the sea and making an escape route. 

 

 

Favour 4 – Rescued from Pharoah

 

وَإِذْ فَرَقْنَا بِكُمُ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَأَنجَيْنَـٰكُمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَآ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ

 

And (recall) when We parted the sea for you; then We saved you, and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were looking on! [2:50]

 

 

After the sea parted and an escape route was made for Bani Israel, Pharaoh and his army took the same path, however Allah made that same sea, which was a bounty for Bani Israel, a destruction for Pharaoh and his army. Allah states: 

 

 

وَجَـٰوَزْنَا بِبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَأَتْبَعَهُمْ فِرْعَوْنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ بَغْيًۭا وَعَدْوًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَدْرَكَهُ ٱلْغَرَقُ قَالَ ءَامَنتُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَامَنَتْ بِهِۦ بَنُوٓا۟ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَأَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ ٩٠

 

And We let the children of Isrā’īl cross the sea. So, Pharaoh and his troops chased them in transgression and hostility, until when he was about to drown, he said, “I believe that there is no god but the One in whom the children of Isrā’īl believe, and I am among those who submit to Allah.” [10:90]

 

 

Favour 5 – Being Forgiven for worshipping the calf

 

وَإِذْ وَٰعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰٓ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةًۭ ثُمَّ ٱتَّخَذْتُمُ ٱلْعِجْلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ وَأَنتُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ. ثُمَّ عَفَوْنَا عَنكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ. 

 

And when We appointed forty nights for Mūsā, then you took the calf (as God) thereafter, and you were unjust. Yet We pardoned you, even after that, so that you may show gratitude. [2:51-52]

 

The greatest form of oppression is to associate partners with Allah. Allah says: 

 

 

وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَـٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَـٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌۭ ١٣

 

(Remember) when Luqmān said to his son, while he was advising him, “My dear son, do not ascribe partners to Allah. Indeed, ascribing partners to Allah (shirk) is grave transgression.” [31:13]

 

Yet despite this, Allah favoured Bani Israel and forgave them, so that they can be thankful to Allah alone.

 

 

Favour 6 – Musa [Allah bless him] and the Tawrah being sent to guide them 

 

وَإِذْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْفُرْقَانَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

 

And ˹remember˺ when We gave Moses the Scripture—the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺ that perhaps you would be ˹rightly˺ guided. [2:53]

 

Allah favoured Bani Israel with a noble messenger to guide them, Musa [Allah bless him]. Musa [Allah bless him] has a high status by Allah, as various verses of the Quran allude to. He was honoured by Allah: 

 

وَكَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَجِيهًۭا ٦٩

 

And he was honourable in the sight of Allah. [33:69]

 

He [Allah bless him] is often referred to as ‘the speech of Allah’:

 

وَكَلَّمَ ٱللَّهُ مُوسَىٰ تَكْلِيمًۭا ١٦٤

 

 

Indeed, Allah has favoured some messengers over other great messengers. 

 

 تِلْكَ ٱلرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ 

 

We have chosen some of those messengers above others.  Allah spoke directly to some [referring to Musa  – Allah bless him] [2:253]

 

 

Musa [Allah bless him] is from the 5 great messengers, mentioned in the verse: 

 

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مِيثَـٰقَهُمْ وَمِنكَ وَمِن نُّوحٍۢ وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَـٰقًا غَلِيظًۭا ٧

 

And ˹remember˺ when We took a covenant from the prophets, as well as from you ˹O Prophet˺, and from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary. We did take a solemn covenant from ˹all of˺ them

 

Surely this blessing to Bani Israel was a tremendous blessing. 

 

 

Favour 7 – Another chance of forgiveness [asking to see Allah – being raised after death]

 

 

وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ نَرَى ٱللَّهَ جَهْرَةًۭ فَأَخَذَتْكُمُ ٱلصَّـٰعِقَةُ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ [٥٥] ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَـٰكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَوْتِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ [٥٦]

 

When you said, “Mūsā, we will never believe you till we see Allah openly!” So, the thunderbolt took you while you were looking on. Then, We raised you up after your death, so that you might show gratitude. [2:55-56]

 

 

Favour 8 – Shaded from the heat and heavenly food

 

وَظَلَّلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْغَمَامَ وَأَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَنَّ وَٱلسَّلْوَىٰ ۖ كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَـٰكُمْ ۖ وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ٥٧

 

And We made the cloud give you shade, and sent down to you Mann and Salwā: “Eat of the good things We have provided to you”. And they (by their ingratitude) did Us no harm, but were harming only themselves. [2:57]

 

Favour 9 – Permission to enter Baitul Maqdis

 

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا ٱدْخُلُوا۟ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةَ فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمْ رَغَدًۭا وَٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْبَابَ سُجَّدًۭا وَقُولُوا۟ حِطَّةٌۭ نَّغْفِرْ لَكُمْ خَطَـٰيَـٰكُمْ ۚ وَسَنَزِيدُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ٥٨

 

When We said, “Enter this town, and eat to your heart’s content wherever you wish in it; and enter the gate prostrating yourselves and say: Hittah (we seek forgiveness), so that We forgive your errors. And We shall give much more to those who do good.” [2:58]

 

The land of Baitul Maqdis is a blessed land as mentioned in the Quran: 

 

وَلِسُلَيْمَـٰنَ ٱلرِّيحَ عَاصِفَةًۭ تَجْرِى بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا ۚ وَكُنَّا بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَـٰلِمِينَ ٨١

 

And to Solomon We subjected the raging winds, blowing by his command to the land We had showered with blessings. It is We Who know everything.

 

Masjid al-Aqsa is one of the most virtuous places and is known as ‘the land of the Ambiya’. Allah states: 

 

سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَـٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ ١

 

Glorious is He Who made his servant travel by night from Al-Masjid-ul-Harām to Al-Masjid-ul-AqSā whose environs We have blessed, so that We let him see some of Our signs. Surely, He is the All-Hearing, the All- Seeing.

 

 

 

Favour 10 – Water gushing from a rock 

 

 وَإِذِ ٱسْتَسْقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِۦ فَقُلْنَا ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْحَجَرَ ۖ فَٱنفَجَرَتْ مِنْهُ ٱثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ عَيْنًۭا ۖ قَدْ عَلِمَ كُلُّ أُنَاسٍۢ مَّشْرَبَهُمْ ۖ كُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ مِن رِّزْقِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ ٦٠

 

When Mūsā sought water for his people, We said, “Strike the rock with your staff,” And twelve springs gushed forth from it. Each group of people came to know their drinking place. “Eat and drink of what Allah has provided, and do not go about the earth spreading disorder.” [2:60]

 

To conclude, Allah favoured Bani Israel with many favours and blessings. However, the response was not appropriate. Thus these events mentioned in the Quran are for self reflection and to ponder upon. Undoubtedly, Allah has favoured our nation, the nation of Muhammad [Allah bless him] more than any other nations. Thus, we should acknowledge the blessings of Allah and be grateful to Almighty Allah.

 

Abu Bakrah reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, if he received good news or something pleasing, he would fall down in prostration from gratitude to Allah.

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 2774

 

عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ كَانَ إِذَا جَاءَهُ أَمْرُ سُرُورٍ أَوْ بُشِّرَ بِهِ خَرَّ سَاجِدًا شَاكِرًا لِلَّهِ

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