Controversial Biblical Narratives: Justice or Double Standards?

✦ The Incident of Banu Qurayzah and the Issue of Double Standards​

Authored by: Hāmid Kamāl al-Dīn
Critics often highlight the incident of Banu Qurayzah to cast blame on Muslims. However, they overlook that the Bible itself contains numerous similar accounts. For instance, the incident involving Prophet David (ʿalayhis-salām) and the Moabites is described in the Bible as follows:

"David defeated the Moabites. He made them lie on the ground in a line and measured them with a rope. He killed two-thirds and spared one-third, who became his servants and brought him tribute."
(2 Samuel, Chapter 8:2)

Similarly, in the case of Joshua (Yushaʿ bin Nun):
"Joshua defeated the army of Ai in the field and annihilated all its inhabitants — twelve thousand men and women were killed that day. He hung the king of Ai on a tree and left him there until evening. At sunset, he took the body down and threw it at the city gate, covering it with stones."
(Joshua, Chapter 8:24-29)

Furthermore, in 1 Samuel, the Bible records Prophet David’s complete destruction of towns during raids:

(1 Samuel, Chapter 27:8-10)

❖ The Problem of Double Standards​

Despite these accounts, followers of the Bible do not hesitate to revere it as a sacred text, nor do they question the legitimacy of its prophets. But when Islamic teachings on Jihad or justice are mentioned, these same critics label them as cruelty or savagery. This, despite the fact that the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasize principles of justice and benevolence.

Spreading the Bible is seen by its advocates as an act of pleasing Christ, yet they refuse to extend the same respect or fair analysis to Islamic teachings, especially when they reflect similar or even more just principles.

✿ A Moment for Reflection​

It is astonishing that such harsh events are attributed to prophets and detailed within the Bible itself, yet those with double standards remain silent. Do such individuals have any authority to teach the world about justice? Allah Most High has stated:

"إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ"
“Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”

◈ The Incident of the Tribe of Benjamin​

In the Book of Judges (صحیفہ قضاۃ), a notable event occurred where the tribes of Israel swore an oath not to give their daughters in marriage to the tribe of Benjamin. To preserve the lineage of Benjamin, a plan was executed:

"The Israelites sent twelve thousand warriors to Jabesh Gilead with orders to kill every man, woman, and child — except for the virgins, who were to be spared and given to the Benjamites."
(Judges, Chapter 21:10-13)

✔ A Call for Deeper Thought​

The ancient scriptures of the Bible are replete with such examples. If someone were to compile all these events, the result would be a voluminous record of controversial stories. The few references quoted here serve to highlight the inconsistency of critics, who seek to find fault in the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ using the sword of justice, when in fact, the sword he wielded was one of truth and justice, used to eliminate tyranny and restore fairness.