17:5
When the first of the warnings came to pass, We sent against you Our servants given to terrible warfare: They entered the very inmost parts of your homes; and it was a warning (completely) fulfilled.
According to Tafhīm al-Qurʾān, the destruction of the Israelites by the Assyrians and Babylonians represents a significant historical and moral turning point. Understanding this episode requires not only scriptural references but also a broader historical overview of the Israelites’ development after the time of Prophet Mūsā (Moses). The commentary argues that their loss of leadership among nations resulted from ideological deviation, moral decline, and social disunity, which ultimately led to divine punishment and political humiliation.
After the death of Moses, the Israelites entered Palestine, a region inhabited by various polytheistic communities such as the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites, and Philistines. These societies practiced elaborate forms of idolatry centered around deities such as El, Baal, Asherah, and other gods associated with fertility, disease, and natural forces. Religious practices among these groups were described as morally corrupt, including ritualized prostitution and child sacrifice. The Torah had instructed the Israelites to avoid adopting the beliefs and customs of these nations and to maintain distinct moral and theological boundaries.
However, the Israelites failed to fully implement this guidance. Instead of forming a unified political structure, they divided into tribal entities, each controlling separate territories. This fragmentation weakened their ability to eliminate idolatry and resulted in continued coexistence with surrounding cultures. Over time, the Israelites began adopting the religious and social practices of neighboring peoples, as reflected in biblical accounts such as the Book of Judges, which describes their worship of Baal and Ashtaroth.
The political consequences of this decline soon became evident. Rival groups and external enemies formed alliances against them, leading to territorial losses and military defeats. Eventually, the Israelites established a united monarchy under Saul around 1020 B.C., followed by the reigns of David and Solomon, during which the kingdom expanded and achieved relative stability. Nevertheless, after Solomon’s death, internal conflict reemerged, and the nation split into two rival kingdoms: Israel in the north, with Samaria as its capital, and Judah in the south, centered in Jerusalem.
The northern kingdom of Israel experienced rapid religious and moral deterioration, especially during the reign of Ahab and the influence of Queen Jezebel, which encouraged the spread of idolatry. Prophets such as Elijah and Elisha attempted to guide the people, but their warnings were largely ignored. Later prophets, including Amos and Hosea, also called for reform, yet the society continued to decline. As a result, the Assyrian Empire conquered Samaria in 721 B.C., leading to widespread death, exile, and the loss of Israelite identity through assimilation with foreign settlers.
The southern kingdom of Judah survived longer but followed a similar trajectory of gradual moral decline. Despite reform efforts by prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, the people persisted in idolatry and political rebellion. Eventually, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah, capturing Jerusalem in 598 B.C. and later destroying the city and Solomon’s Temple in 587 B.C. Large numbers of Israelites were exiled, while those who remained faced severe hardship and humiliation. According to the commentary, these events constituted the first major divine punishment, serving as a warning resulting from the community’s persistent disobedience and moral corruption.
References:
Maududi, Abul Ala (2010). Tafhim ul Quran.