Part 6
By Rif’at Shafiq
As we continue our exploration into the nature and history of the Jews, this section examines yet another defining trait of them.
5. Greed and Miserliness
Among the most deeply rooted flaws historically attributed to the Jewish temperament is their intense attachment to wealth, expressed in miserliness, greed, and an almost devotional love of material gain. This tendency is not new. When Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) briefly left his people, many turned to worshipping a calf made of gold. That incident alone reveals how strongly they were drawn to worldly riches.
Across generations, Jews have been broadly identified as self-focused and very stingy, often unwilling to grant benefit either to individuals or to the broader society. Because of this deep-seated miserliness and self-centeredness, when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent with the final message, many among the Jews rejected him. This was despite their clear recognition of his truth.
Allah Almighy says:
﴿الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ﴾
“Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him as they know their own sons.”
Even with such unmistakable knowledge, most still refused to believe. Their refusal was rooted in pride. They could not accept that prophethood had been granted to the Arabs, nor could they tolerate the possibility that the Companions of the Prophet would rise to power while the Children of Israel would no longer dominate.
Allah Almighty repeatedly highlights this trait in the Qur’an, saying:
﴿فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ الْكِتَابَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَٰذَا مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا﴾
“So woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands, then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ in order to exchange it for a small price.”
The great scholar Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) explains:
“Miserliness is a disease of the soul that prevents a person from fulfilling what is right. The Jews are the clearest example of this trait: they neither spend their wealth in Allah’s cause nor support the truth.”
Similarly, Imam al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) writes:
“Driven by their love of worldly gains, the Jews conceal truth, distort divine revelation, and trade away the eternal reward of the Hereafter for the tiniest scrap of this world.”
This obsession with wealth and worldly advantage continues to shape their behavior today. It fuels the destruction of Palestinian homes, the tightening of oppression, and the constant push to drive the oppressed people of Palestine from their land. It is the same mindset behind restricting their access to essential resources, land, water, and the basic necessities of life.
Professor Ben-Zion Dinur once declared:
“In our country there is room only for the Jews.”
His statement perfectly captures the mentality born from greed, selfishness, and domination, a mentality that has shaped Jewish behavior throughout history.
