Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) laid the foundation of monotheism as depicted in the revealed scriptures, the Bible and the Quran. While the Bible presents the historical aspects of Abraham’s life and mission in great detail, the Quran gives us the spiritual and the ethical dimensions of his life and the rationality of believing in the One God and the full submission to the will of the Creator. In his youth, Abraham could not reconcile the logic of his people’s worship of idols, which they carved with their own hands. Abraham went on a quest to explore the signs of the Creator in His creation, hoping he might reach a rational conclusion about God as the Creator of everything.

In his youth, Abraham could not reconcile the logic of his people’s worship of idols, which they carved with their own hands. Abraham went on a quest to explore the signs of the Creator in His creation, hoping he might reach a rational conclusion about God as the Creator of everything.

“Lo! Abraham said to his father Azar: "Takest thou idols for gods? For I see thee and thy people in an obvious falseness." So also did We show Abraham the mighty dominion (of God) over the heavens and the earth, that he might have certitude. When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set." When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moon set, He said: "If my Lord does not guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray." When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sun set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to God. "For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him, Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I be of those who associate partners to Allah." Quran (6:74-79)

 

Abraham’s rational quest of the true god, took him to the limit of human abilities of observation and reason, but this did not lead him to the true god. God must be the beginning before anything existed, the Creator who created everything, but He was not created. Abraham realized his human limitation and prayed to God to lead him to the ultimate truth.

“And rehearse to them (something of) Ibrahim's story. Behold, he said to his father and his people: "What do you worship?" They said: "We worship idols, and we remain constantly devoted to them." He said: "Do they hear you when you call (on them), "Or do they do you good or harm?" They said: "Nay, but we found our forefathers so doing." He said: "Do ye then see whom ye have been worshipping, "Ye and your fathers before you?" For they are enemies to me; not so the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds; "Who created me, and it is He Who guides me; "Who provide me food and drink, "And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me; "Who will cause me to die, and then brings me back to life; "And Who, I hope, will forgive my faults on the Day of Judgment... "O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous; "Grant me the power to convey the truth unto those who come after me; "Make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss; "Forgive my father, for he is among those who gone astray; "And let me not be in disgrace on the Day when all will be raised up from the dead; The Day whereon neither wealth nor children will be of any use, "But only he (will prosper) who comes to Allah with a heart free of evil.” Quran (26:69-89)

 

 Abraham’s call was met with arrogant denial and he with few followers left their own people and culture in Mesopotamia to launch a world quest calling humanity to the true faith in believing in the One God, and submitting to His will. The journey took him to different peoples and cultures like Egypt and Canaan. This endeavor established Abraham as the pure monotheist who had relinquished any claim of tribalism, ethnicity or the superiority of any race. Abraham became the true faithful in the Oneness of God and the unity of mankind. He is described in Quran as “Ummah,” which literally means “a nation,” an institution of faith with unique values and virtues.

“Verily, Ibrahim was indeed a community that combined all virtues, devoutly obedient to Allah, true in faith, and he joined no gods with Allah. He showed his gratitude for the favors of Allah, Who chose him, and guided him to a Straight Way. And We gave him good in this world, and he will be in the Hereafter, among the Righteous. So We have inspired you (O Muhammad): "Follow the ways of Ibrahim the True in Faith, and he was not of those who ascribed divinity to aught besides Allah." Quran (16:120-123)

 Abraham, his family and his followers had settled in Canaan (East Mediterranean) and lived in peace among the people. His first son, Ishmael (Ismael), was born to the 86-year-old Abraham and an Egyptian woman, Hagar. At the age of 99, Abraham was given the glad tidings of a second son, Isaac, born to his 90-year-old wife, Sarah. However, God’s ultimate trial of faith to Abraham was commanding him to sacrifice his son.

“So We gave him the good news of a boy-child (who will be) forbearing. Then, when (the son) had become old enough to strive with him, Ibrahim said: "O my dear son! I see in a vision that I should offer thee as sacrifice: now see what would be thy view!" (the son) said: "O my father! do as you are bidden: you will find me, if Allah so wills, one of those who are steadfastly patient!" So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice), We called out to him, "O Ibrahim! "You have already fulfilled the vision!" thus indeed do We reward those who do right. For this was obviously a momentous trial, and We ransomed him with a tremendous sacrifice: And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: "Peace and salutation to Ibrahim!" Thus indeed do We reward those who do right, for he was one of Our believing servants. And We gave him the good news of Ishaq (Isaac) - a prophet - one of the Righteous. We blessed him and Ishaq: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to their own souls.” Quran (37:101-113)

 

The message of the sacrifice of Ishmael in the Quran is strikingly different from what is depicted in the Bible. In the Quran, Abraham, the ultimate faithful, goes directly to his son, Ishmael, and presents him with God’s command to sacrifice him. “O my dear son! I have seen in a vision that I should sacrifice you, consider then, what do you think: He said “My Father do as you are bidden, you shall find me, God willing, one of those who are steadfastly patient” (Quran 37:102). This honest, direct, yet tender encounter of Abraham and his son shows the absolute submission of an elderly father to God’s command to slay his only son at the time. Moreover, Ishmael’s response was an equally honorable affirmation of Ishmael’s faith in God and his trust in his father’s judgment. Also, both father and son were put under tremendous trial of faith, and both of them put their trust in God. The active role of the son is a sign of passing the mantle of prophet-hood and guidance from father to son until the end of all messages to Prophet Mohammed, the descendent of Abraham and Ishmael.

The Quran does not mention Ishmael by name but only as “O my dear son,” However, after Abraham and his son pass this ultimate test of faith, God gave Abraham the glad tidings of a second son, Isaac. “And we gave him the good tidings of Ishaq (Isaac), a prophet and one of the righteous.” Quran (37:113).

Muslims should not interpret the sacrifice of Ishmael as a preference to the Arabs, the descendants of Ishmael, but as the distinction of Abraham as the ultimate faithful and all his descendants who would follow his path, and forever carry the banner of monotheism. God rewarded Abraham with the covenant of prophet-hood to lead humanity to the straight path.

“And remember that Ibrahim was tried by his Lord with certain commandments, which he fulfilled: He (God) said: "Behold! I will make you a leader for the Nations." He pleaded: "And of my offspring!" He answered: "But My Promise does not embrace the evil-doers." Quran (2:124)

In contrast, the Biblical story of Abraham reflects rivalry, jealousy and prejudice. It discriminates between Abraham’s two sons, Ishmael and Isaac based on their mothers, namely Hagar, an Egyptian woman, and Abraham’s wife, Sarah. Also, the Biblical story appropriates worldly prominence of land and wealth as God’s reward to Abraham and his descendants rather than the honor of the prophet-hood, as mentioned in the Quran.

Genesis 19:20-21, 20.

“And as for Ishmael, I heard you; I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. 21. “But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, who Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.”

The sacrifice according to the Bible is specified to Isaac who is ironically referred to as “your only son Isaac” and he is discriminately described as “whom you love.”

Genesis 22:1-13

Now it came to pass after these things that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, “Stay here with the donkey”; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid [it] upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spoke unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here [am] I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where [is] the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here [am] I. And he said, do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him: for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind [him] a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

Upon passing this ultimate test of faith, God commanded Abraham to build the first house of worship of the One God in Mecca. While Abraham; and Ishmael by his side were building the first Shrine (Ka’aba) for the worship of God, at the same time they were praying to God to preserve the true faith of submission to none but God.

“And remember when Ibrahim and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House (with this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: for Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. "Our Lord! Make us true submittors to You; and make out of our progeny a community that shall submit unto You. And show us Your ways of worship, accept our repentance and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. "Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, and sanctify them: for Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise." And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim but such as debase their souls with folly? Him (Ibrahim) We chose and rendered pure in this world: and he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the Righteous. Behold! his Lord said to him: "Bow (thy will to Me):" he said: "I bow (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe." And this was the Legacy that Ibrahim left to his two sons, and so did Ya'qub (Jacob); "O my sons! Allah has chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the state of submission (to Allah). Were you witnesses when death appeared before Ya'qub? Behold he said to his sons: "What will you worship after I am gone?" They said: "We shall worship your God and the God of your fathers, - Ibrahim, Isma'il and Ishaq, - the One (True) God: to Him we submit ourselves." Quran (2:127:133)

 

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) represents the purity of faith and the ultimate submittor to the will of Almighty God. He is truly a man for all times and for all people. He transcends all boundaries of nationalism, tribalism and ethnicity. He is literally the father of all prophets.

“Ibrahim was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and surrendered his will to Allah, and he joined not gods with Allah.” Quran (3:67) 

All able Muslims are commanded to perform a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca. The Hajj is a commemoration of the legacy of Abraham and his consistent submission to God’s commandments. He was ordered to leave his only son Ishmael in the deadly desert of Mecca. However God would bring water and life to the desert to sustain the seed of Abraham, only to come later to sacrifice his only son in submission to God’s will. This is the same spot where Abraham and Ishmael built the first sanctuary for the worship of The One God. Therefore, Hajj is the connection between the Seal of the Prophets; Mohammed, and the Father of the Prophets; Abraham.