(Part 10)
Rifat Shafiq
In the series of characteristics of the Jews, we will describe another of their traits in this section.
9. Distortion (Tahreef)
Distortion is another vile characteristic that the Jews were and are afflicted with. To clarify this trait further, let us first look at what distortion means and its lexical and terminological definitions. Allama Raghib al-Isfahani (may Allah have mercy on him) states: Lexically, Tahreef is derived from the root “Harf,” which means edge, margin, or side; that is, shifting something from its original place. In terminology, distortion refers to the act of intentionally changing the original meaning of a speech or text, or displacing words from their proper context, or providing an interpretation that destroys the speaker’s intended purpose. This distortion can occur in the wording, meaning, grammatical inflection (I’rab), interpretation, or practical application.
Distortion is not limited only to written text. Noble scholars state that distortion does not only refer to changing a written book, but oral speech can also be distorted. If someone hears the Divine Word, understands it, and then intentionally conveys it to people in a different way, this is also considered distortion. The Jews possessed this very vile trait; they would distort the Word of Allah Almighty, just as they have been repeatedly characterized by this evil act in the Holy Quran.
Allah Almighty says:
{أَفَتَطْمَعُونَ أَنْ يُؤْمِنُوا لَكُمْ وَقَدْ كَانَ فَرِيقٌ مِنْهُمْ يَسْمَعُونَ كَلَامَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُحَرِّفُونَهُ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا عَقَلُوهُ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ} (البقرة: ۷۵)
“Do you covet, that they would believe for you while a party of them used to hear the words of Allah and then distort after they had understood it while they were knowing?”
In another place, Allah Almighty says:
{مِنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَنْ مَوَاضِعِهِ وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَاسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ وَرَاعِنَا لَيًّا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْنًا فِي الدِّينِ} (النساء: ۴۶)
“Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages and say, “We hear and disobey” and “Hear but be not heard” and “Ra’ina,” twisting their tongues and mocking the religion.” (An Nisa 46)
Allama Qurtubi (RH) states:
«يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَنْ مَوَاضِعِهِ»
“The meaning is that they would either change the wording of the Torah, conceal its correct meanings, or provide such an interpretation that would mislead the minds of the people.”
The Jews would often hide and distort the attributes of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) that were described in the Torah, so that their worldly status would not be put at risk. For this reason, Allah Almighty says:
{الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ} (البقرة: ۱۴۶)
“Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him as they know their own sons.” ( Al Baqarah 146)
When this verse was revealed, Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) asked Hazrat Abdullah bin Salam (RA): “Do you recognize the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as you recognize your own children?” He replied: “By Allah, I do not have as much certainty about my own children as I have about the prophethood of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH); for it is possible that the mother of the children might have been unfaithful, but there is no doubt whatsoever regarding the prophethood of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).”
It is narrated in Sahih Bukhari that the Jews had hidden the ruling on adultery and wanted to show a deficient ruling to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), but Allah Almighty revealed the original ruling of the Torah. This incident shows that distortion also occurred in the concealment of Sharia rulings. This trait of distortion was not only present in the ancient tribes of the Jews but even in the current era, they are afflicted with this trait; they distort facts, they distort true news, and they distort everything that poses a risk to their interests.
