On the restoration of Israel, the Quran says; "And after him (Moses), we said to the children of Israel, dwell Ye in the promised land, and when the time of the promise of the latter days comes, we shall bring you out of various peoples". In his book, The Quran a Modern Understanding, Muslim scholar Mustafa Mahmud explains a Quranic verse concerning Israel; "And We gave (clear) warning to the children of Israel in the Book, that twice would they do mischief on the land and be elated with mighty arrogance (And twice would they be punished)!" (Al-Isra[17]:4).

According to Mr. Mahmud, this verse is a prophecy in the Quran, he comments; "And here we see today the Jews reaching might and power and doing iniquity in the land for the second time". What Mr. Mahmud ignores is a very important historical and Biblical fact. Israel had two well-known historical events of iniquity, both are well recorded in history, and on both occasions God made them pay for their actions by allowing the destruction of Israel.

The first was the Babylonian destruction (Nebuchadnezzar 586 B.C.), when the Israelites were carried off into captivity in Babylon. This punishment was given as a result of their rebelling against God and disobeying his commandments. This was the first destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

The second was the Roman destruction (Titus A.D. 70), when once again the Temple was destroyed due to the Jews disobedience. As a result of this, the Jews were dispersed throughout the world (The Diaspora). This was the second destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Twice disobeyed, and twice destroyed. This is clearly not a prophecy but repeating what the Bible and history already told us! The Muslim scholar Abdullah Yusuf Ali interprets the Quran for these verses correctly agreeing with the facts documented in history, and in total agreement with the truth, (see page 674, The Meaning of The Holy Quran).

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