At that point Allah sent against them yet another enemy who violated their land, laid waste to crops and offspring, and even entered the mosque—that is, Bayt al-Maqdis—just as the first enemy had done. “So that they might enter the mosque as they had entered it the first time, and so that they might utterly destroy whatever they had gained ascendancy over” (Qur’an 17:7). That is to say, this enemy was to demolish everything you had enjoyed during that period of activity and building—your abundant wealth and many children—obliterating it all as a punishment upon you.

“When the final promise came”—meaning the second occasion, namely their corruption on earth—“to darken your faces and to enter the mosque as they had entered it the first time” (17:7). In this verse Allah, Exalted is He, tells us that the Children of Israel committed mischief on earth twice in the past. He then warned that if they repeated it, He would renew the punishment upon them until the Day of Resurrection: “And if you return, We will return, and We have made Hell a prison for the disbelievers” (17:8). This is a divine threat: just as He punished them on the first two occasions, He will likewise punish them whenever they sow corruption on earth until the end of time. This is plainly observable: whenever the Jews become exalted in the land and spread corruption, tyrants are set over them and their enemies are given power over them. Such is a punishment from Allah, Mighty and Majestic, upon this people who corrupt the earth, disseminate wickedness therein, and act arrogantly toward His servants.

Question: Are the two instances of corruption specific historical events, or do they represent their deeds in general?

Answer: Allah, Exalted be He, did not specify the exact nature of the two acts of corruption. Some exegetes, however, have said that on the first occasion they killed Isaiah, one of their prophets, and on the second they killed John son of Zechariah—peace be upon them both.