The Question of the Shabbath-Jews transformation into monkey according to the Islamic sources

Abstract

In the Noble Qur an, the Children of Israel have been criticized many times, since they had not fulfilled their responsibilities with regard to the blessings granted to them. It can be observed from the parables of the Qur an that the punishments given to the Children of Israel generally bear lessons and admonitions for the subsequent communities. The issue of the Jews of Shabbath changing into monkey is one of these exemplary lessons. This group is called the Jews of Shabbath in Islamic literature. The punishment meted out to this community is viewed as a source of lesson and example for the people of that period as well as the next generations. However, there are different points of view among scholars on whether the turning into monkey is metaphorical or real. This study aims to investigate into the various implications of this dispute.