Calling Yaqub (alaihis salaam) Israeel
Q: I need a reference from the Ahaadeeth where people say Hazrat Yaqub (alaihis salaam) was Israeel, while Quraan mentioned his name, Yaqub 16 times, and also his progeny (2:132-133, 2:136, 2:140, 3:84, 4:163 etc.)
The reason for asking this question is that I got reference from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 32: 22-32, where Hazrat Yaqub (alaihis salaam) fought with Allah Ta'ala and overpowered Him. Then Allah Ta'ala blessed him. God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israeel."
A: The Quraan says repeatedly that the previous scriptures have been distorted and changed. So you cannot use this as a categorical reference. One who fights with Allah Ta'ala, how can he be blessed? What do you mean by fighting with Allah Ta'ala? If you say that Allah Ta`ala was overwhelmed then this is pure satanism and kufr. Allah Ta`ala has power over all things and nothing overpowers Him. Secondly, both the word, Yaqub and Israeel have been used for the same person.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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