What is the Sharia position on the narrations and reports of the Children of Israel?

Summary of the Answer:

Israʼiliyyat refers to narratives transmitted from the Children of Israel concerning the histories of their peoples and previous nations, as well as the beginning of creation and the return [to God]. The Prophetic Sunnah (definition) permitted narrating from them, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "(Narrate from the Children of Israel, and there is no harm)." Scholars have divided these narratives into three categories: what we know to be true based on the testimony of Islamic law, what we know to be false, and what we do not know to be true or false. The Companions relied on Israʼiliyyat in their interpretations, and their stance towards them was not contradictory; rather, it was diverse depending on the situation. They permitted narrating from them concerning matters that are rationally permissible and do not contradict Islamic law. They prohibited using them as evidence in matters of religion or questioning disbelievers about them. They accepted what conformed to the truth and rejected what was false among them.