Answering Questions Through The Holy Qur'an: What is the difference between “Jews” and “Children of Israel” in the Qur’an?

What is the difference between “Jews” and “Children of Israel” in the Qur’an?

2:140 Or do you say that Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the descendants were Jews (hudan) or Christians?" Say, "Are you more knowing or is Allah?" And who is more unjust than one who conceals a testimony he has from Allah? And Allah is not unaware of what you do.

(The words “Jew” and “Judaism” are derived from the name “Judah”, which was the name of one of Jacob’s twelve sons. Judah was the ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel (tribe of Judah), which was named after him. In the Qur’an, the word “Jew” (ha-waw/alif-dal, ya-ha(o)-dal) is used in the context of religion, not ethnicity or lineage, because it is mentioned together with other religious groups (Christian and Sabians (2:62)); Jacob and the descendants were not Jews (2:140). So, the word “Jew” refers to religion, and they are called so, whether someone’s lineage belongs to the tribe of Judah or not)(The religion in the sight of God is Islam (3:19, 3:85), and in that regard, the Prophets were not Jews or Christians (2:140), but they were Muslims / Submitted (to God) (2:140, 10:84, 3:67-68, 2:133, 3:52, 5:111). "Muslim" is an Arabic word meaning "one who submits (to God)"; and “Islam” is an Arabic word meaning “submission (to God)”, that’s the religion preached by all Prophets)(The Qur’an also uses the words “Children of Israel” (Bani Israel), which establish their lineage, so, they are referred to as the descendants of Israel in the Qur’an)(Allah knows best)

2:135 And they said, "Be Jews (hudan) or Christians, then you will be guided." Say, "Nay, the religion of Abraham, the upright; and he was not of those who associated partners."

(Verse 2:135 confirms that “Jew” is used in the context of religion)(Allah knows best)

10:84 And Moses said, "O my people, if you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him, if you are Muslims."

("Muslim" is an Arabic word meaning "one who submits (to God)")(By definition, all Prophets were Muslims)(Allah knows best)

2:133 Or were you witnesses when death came to Jacob, when he said to his sons, "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac – One God. And we are Muslims/submissive to Him."

(The sons of Jacob declared themselves “Muslims” (submissive to God); while the words “Jews” and “Judaism” were innovated by later generations)(See the link below, “Were the Prophets Jews or Christians?”)(Allah knows best)

3:67 Abraham was neither a Jew (yahudiyyan) nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim, and he was not of the polytheists.

3:52 Then when Jesus perceived disbelief from them, he said, "Who (will be) my helpers (of) Allah." The disciples said "We (will be the) helpers (of) Allah, we believe in Allah and bear witness that we are Muslims.

(The early “Christians” were part of the Children of Israel, and declared themselves Muslims/Submitted (to God))(According to Acts 11:26, the disciples were called “Christians” first in Antioch, so the word “Christian” was innovated by later generations because it is not mentioned in any of the four Gospels)(Allah knows best)

61:14 O you who believe, be helpers of Allah, as said Jesus, son of Mary, to the disciples, "Who are my helpers for Allah?" The disciples said, "We are the helpers of Allah." Then a group of Children of Israel (bani is’raila) believed and a group disbelieved. So We supported those who believed against their enemy and they became dominant.

22:78 And strive for Allah with the striving which is due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you any difficulty in the religion. The religion of your father Abraham. He named you Muslims before, and in this, that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over mankind. So establish prayer and give zakah (charity) and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector - so an Excellent Protector and an Excellent Helper.