The connection between Islam and the land that God promised to Abraham in the Torah

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Azahari Hassim

Genesis 15, verse 18 reads:

“In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates”.

Genesis 15, verse 18 is a specific verse in the Bible, which is part of the book of Genesis in the Old Testament. It describes a covenant that God made with Abraham, promising him and his descendants land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates River.

Did the establishment of Islam as the religion of Abraham in the Middle East or the Levant fulfill the promise of God to Abraham that his descendants through Ishmael would inherit the land from the border of Egypt to the Euphrates River as mentioned in the Torah or Genesis 15, verse 18? Islamic scholars assert that the ancient scribes may have manipulated the Torah to favor Isaac instead of Ishmael. How do they present their argument?

Islamic scholars argue that the establishment of Islam in the Middle East and Levant region did fulfill God’s promise to Abraham regarding Ishmael’s descendants. They point out that Islam spread rapidly across this area in the 7th-8th centuries, bringing monotheistic worship of the God of Abraham to millions.

It is asserted that the ancient scribes who wrote the Torah may have altered the stories to show preference for Isaac’s descendants over Ishmael’s. They suggest that this bias may have been influenced by socio-political factors, such as the dominance of the Israelite tribes, which led to the emphasis on Isaac’s descendants in the biblical account.

Historically, the Arab-Islamic Caliphates after the rise of Islam in the 7th century did indeed conquer and control territories extending from Egypt to the Euphrates River, which matches the geographical extent of the land mentioned in Genesis 15, verse 18. This has led some to draw parallels between the spread of Islam and the fulfillment of the promise to Ishmael’s descendants.

From an Islamic theological perspective, the establishment of Islam in the Middle East and the Levant is seen as the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, as it recognizes and upholds the significance of Ishmael’s lineage.

Islamic scholars argue that both Isaac and Ishmael are equally revered as prophets, and that their respective lineages are part of God’s overarching plan for humanity, with Hebrew prophets paving the way for the coming of Muhammad, the last prophet.

In summary, Islamic scholars argue that:

1. The promise made to Abraham about his descendants inheriting the land could have been fulfilled through Ishmael.
2. The Torah might have been altered over time to give greater emphasis to Isaac’s lineage and downplay Ishmael’s role.
3. The rise of Islam and the influence of the descendants of Ishmael (through Prophet Muhammad) is seen as a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.
4. The spread of Islam and its dominance in the Middle East aligns with the geographical scope of the promise made to Abraham in the Torah, reinforcing the idea that Ishmael’s descendants inherited this blessing.

These arguments reflect a broader theological debate regarding the interpretation of ancient texts and the legacy of Abraham’s two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, in the context of religious history.

The Holy Land of Palestine and Muhammad the Prophet of Islam

The Prophet said:

فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تَوَكَّلَ لِي بِالشَّامِ وَأَهْلِهِ.

“Verily, Allah Almighty has entrusted me with the land of Sham (that is, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria) and its people.”

Some believe the hadith is related to establishment of Islamic caliphate in the region of the Levant. How is this argument articulated?

The hadith is reported by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, and it is considered authentic by some scholars. The hadith indicates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was given a special responsibility and honor by Allah to take care of the land of Sham and its people, who are also praised in other hadiths for their faith and steadfastness.

Some people have used this hadith to support the idea of establishing an Islamic caliphate in the region of the Levant, which includes the modern countries of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. They argue that since the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was entrusted with this land by Allah, it is the duty of the Muslims to follow his example and protect it from any foreign occupation or oppression.

They also claim that this land has a special status and significance in Islam, as it is the place where many prophets and righteous people lived, where many battles and victories occurred, and where many signs of the Hour will take place.

Reexamining the Abrahamic Covenant: Ishmael’s Primacy in Islamic Tradition

Did Abraham, Isaac and Jacob know about Mount Sinai and its sacredness?

The biblical accounts suggest that Mount Sinai and its sacredness were not known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The significance sacred of Mount Sinai is primarily associated with the story of Moses and the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus. However, it’s important to note that beliefs and interpretations may vary among different religious traditions.

The belief that the Abrahamic covenant was fulfilled through Ishmael rather than Isaac, including the promise of land from the Nile to the Euphrates and the blessing to all nations through Abraham’s seed, is held by some, particularly within Islamic tradition. Here’s a more detailed articulation of their argument:

Ishmael and the Covenant.

1. Ishmael as the Firstborn: Supporters of this view argue that Ishmael, being Abraham’s firstborn son, was the original heir to the covenant. They emphasize that Ishmael was the first child of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian maidservant.
2. Sacrifice Narrative: They contend that the narrative of Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son originally referred to Ishmael, not Isaac. This is based on the belief that ancient scriptures were altered by Israelite scribes to emphasize Isaac’s role.
3. Blessing and Land Promise: The promise of land from the Nile to the Euphrates and the blessing to all nations is seen as applying to Ishmael’s descendants. Islamic tradition views Ishmael as an ancestor of the Arab peoples, and thus sees the fulfillment of these promises through the Islamic Hajj and in the rise of Islamic civilization.

Scriptural Alteration Argument.

1. Scribal Changes: They argue that ancient Israelite scribes altered the scriptures to shift the focus from Ishmael to Isaac. This was done to establish a theological foundation for the Israelites’ claim to the land and their unique covenantal relationship with God.
2. Evidence from Quranic Texts: The Quran refers to the story of Abraham and his son, implying that Ishmael was the one to be sacrificed. This, combined with historical accounts and interpretations, is used to argue for the primacy of Ishmael in the covenantal promises.

In conclusion, the article argues within Islamic tradition that the Abrahamic covenant was fulfilled through Ishmael instead of Isaac. Key points include:

1. Ishmael as Firstborn: Ishmael’s status as Abraham’s firstborn makes him the original heir to the covenant.

2. Sacrifice Narrative: The initial sacrifice narrative is believed by proponents to refer to Ishmael, with later alterations made to focus on Isaac.

3. Blessing and Land Promise: The land and blessing promise is seen as fulfilled through Ishmael’s descendants, with Islamic traditions highlighting the Hajj and Islamic civilization as proof.

Additionally, it is argued that Israelite scribes modified scriptures to bolster Israel’s claims, while the Quran supports Ishmael’s role in the covenant.

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