Azahari Hassim
What is the explanation of the Midrash about Isaac being called “thy only son” when God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son? In Islamic tradition, it is Ishmael and not Isaac, whom God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son.
The Midrash, which is a form of rabbinic literature that provides interpretative commentary on the Torah, offers several explanations for why Isaac is referred to as Abraham’s “only son” in the context of the Akedah (the Binding of Isaac). Here are some key points from the Midrashic perspective:
The Midrash explains that while Abraham had two sons, Isaac held a unique status as the son of the covenant. He was born to Sarah, Abraham’s wife, and was seen as the fulfillment of God’s promise. Isaac is considered the spiritual heir of Abraham, chosen to carry on the legacy of monotheism and the covenant with God.
In some Midrashic accounts, when God says “your only son,” Abraham responds by saying he has two sons. God then specifies “the one whom you love,” and Abraham says he loves both. Finally, God says “Isaac,” clarifying His command. The phrase “only son” is interpreted to mean the son who is singularly devoted to God, emphasizing Isaac’s spiritual qualities rather than his birth order.
Some rabbinical commentators suggest that the Hebrew word for “only” (יחיד) can also mean “unique” or “special,” rather than strictly “sole.” The use of “only son” is seen as part of the test, emphasizing the magnitude of what God is asking Abraham to sacrifice.
In contrast, the Islamic tradition, as recorded in the Quran, identifies Ishmael as the son whom Abraham was commanded to sacrifice. The Quranic narrative does not explicitly name the son, but Islamic tradition and many Muslim scholars have historically identified him as Ishmael. This is partly based on the sequence of events in the Quran, which suggests that the promise of Isaac’s birth came after the sacrifice narrative, implying Ishmael was the son involved.
The differences between the Jewish and Islamic narratives have been the subject of theological discussions and interpretations. Some scholars suggest that each tradition emphasizes different aspects of the story to highlight their theological and historical narratives.
While the Islamic tradition interprets the sacrificial son to be Ishmael based on him being the firstborn, Judaism relies on the Torah’s explicit identification of Isaac and his special covenantal status to explain why Isaac is called the “only son” in this context. The two traditions remain at odds on this important narrative.
In summary, the explanation of the Midrash about Isaac being called “thy only son” is a matter of religious interpretation, with Jewish and Islamic traditions holding different views on who was the son intended for sacrifice.
Hajj as the Fulfillment of Abrahamic Prophecy
Torah, Genesis 22 verse 18, reads:
“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”
It is believed the event of the Hajj in Mecca is the fulfillment of the biblical prophecy of Genesis 22 verse 18. According to the Islamic belief, Abraham offered Ishmael, not Isaac, as a sacrifice to God, emphasizing Ishmael’s role in fulfilling God’s covenant with Abraham. The event of Hajj proves that God made a covenant with Abraham through Hagar and Ishmael rather than Sarah and Isaac. How is this viewpoint presented?
The viewpoint that the Hajj in Mecca is a fulfillment of the biblical prophecy of Genesis 22 verse 18, and represents a covenant made by God with Abraham through Hagar and Ishmael, rather than Sarah and Isaac, is articulated based on several key aspects of Islamic belief and interpretation of religious texts:
1. Prophecy of Genesis 22 verse 18: The verse in Genesis states, “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” Some interpret this as a prophecy that is fulfilled through the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham’s son with Hagar. The Islamic narrative holds that it was Ishmael, not Isaac, who was offered by Abraham as a sacrifice to God. This signifies Ishmael’s importance in the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham. The Hajj, as a major Islamic ritual commemorating the actions of Abraham and Ishmael, is seen as a manifestation of this blessing.
2. The Hajj and Ishmael’s Legacy: In Islamic tradition, the Hajj includes rituals that are believed to commemorate the life and trials of Abraham and his son Ishmael. The ritual of Sa’i, where pilgrims travel back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah, is seen as a re-enactment of Hagar’s desperate search for water for her infant son Ishmael. According to Islamic belief, the well of Zamzam originated to rescue baby Ishmael.
3. The Kaaba and Islamic Tradition: The Kaaba in Mecca, which is the focal point of the Hajj, is believed in Islamic tradition to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael as a house of worship to the one true God. This act of establishing monotheism in the region is viewed as a key part of fulfilling God’s covenant with Abraham.
4. Universal Blessing and Unity of Humankind: The Hajj is seen as a fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham’s descendants. The gathering of millions of Muslims from diverse nations during Hajj is viewed as a symbol of this blessing and the unity of humankind under God’s guidance.
5. Continuity of Abrahamic Tradition: The Hajj is also seen as a continuation and fulfillment of the Abrahamic tradition of monotheism. This perspective posits that Islam, as the final revelation in the Abrahamic tradition, fulfills and perfects earlier revelations given to Jews and Christians.
This viewpoint is part of the broader Islamic interpretation of religious history, which sees Islam as both a continuation and a completion of the monotheistic tradition established by Abraham.
The Unnamed Son of Abraham’s Sacrifice in the Quran
In the Quran, the specific name of the son to be sacrificed by Abraham is not mentioned. Thus it signifies that the name of Isaac in Genesis 22, verse 2, is nothing but a scribal interpolation. What is the explanation for this argument?
The argument that the Quran’s omission of the specific name of the son to be sacrificed by Abraham signifies that the name of Isaac in Genesis 22, verse 2, is a scribal interpolation is a viewpoint held by some scholars, but it is not universally accepted within the field of biblical studies or Islamic theology. This argument is based on textual and historical analysis and often arises in discussions about the relationship between the Quran and the Bible.
Here’s a brief overview of the argument:
1. Quranic account: In the Quran, the story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son is mentioned in Surah As Saffat (Chapter 37), but the specific name of the son is not provided. This omission has led some scholars to argue that the Quran intentionally avoids naming the son to prevent any confusion or dispute regarding the identity of the son.
2. Biblical account: In the Book of Genesis (Genesis 22, verse 2), the son to be sacrificed is identified as Isaac. This is a well-known account in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
3. Argument: Some scholars propose that the Quranic omission of the son’s name suggests that the original, unaltered biblical account did not specify the son’s name, and the name Isaac was added later through scribal interpolation in the biblical text.
4. Quranic Interpretation:
The Quranic narrative does not explicitly name the son of the near sacrifice, but Islamic tradition and many Muslim scholars have historically identified him as Ishmael. This belief is supported by the chronological events in the Quran, indicating that the promise of Isaac’s birth was made after the account of sacrifice, suggesting that Ishmael was the likely candidate for sacrifice.
It’s important to note that this argument is not universally accepted, and there is ongoing debate among scholars regarding the relationship between the Quran and the Bible. Islamic tradition generally does not delve into such textual criticism but rather focuses on the theological and moral aspects of the story.
Hagar’s Elevated Status in Islam Through the Hajj Pilgrimage
In the Torah, God established a covenant with Abraham, promising that he would be a source of blessings for all people on Earth. Abraham was not only destined to be the biological father of many nations but also the spiritual leader of mankind.
Mysteriously, the name of Hagar and her miraculous well are not mentioned in the Quran, even though they are described in the Torah.
She is not included among the Jewish matriarchs.
According to certain beliefs in Islam, the Hajj pilgrimage elevates Hagar’s status as the mother of many nations and a matriarch, even though she is an obscure figure in the Quran.Can you provide further clarification or explanation for this perspective?
The belief that the Hajj pilgrimage in Islam elevates Hagar’s status as the mother of many nations and the matriarch is rooted in the Islamic narrative and the rituals associated with Hajj. According to Islamic tradition, after Hagar and her infant son Ishmael were left in the desert by Abraham, they faced extreme hardship. In their desperate search for water, Hagar ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times. It is believed that during this search, an angel appeared and caused a well, known as the Zamzam well, to spring forth.
During the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the key rituals is the Sa’i, which is the reenactment of Hagar’s search for water. Pilgrims walk or run seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as a commemoration of Hagar’s struggle and faith. This act is considered an integral part of the pilgrimage, symbolizing the endurance, perseverance, and trust in God exhibited by Hagar.
By including this ritual in Hajj, Islam emphasizes the importance of Hagar’s role and elevates her status as a significant figure. The act of performing Sa’i acknowledges her faith and struggle, and it serves as a reminder of her connection to the origins of the Islamic faith. This elevates Hagar’s status as the mother of many nations and the matriarch in Islam.
In this viewpoint, Hagar is seen as a symbol of strength, resilience, and devotion, and her story is celebrated as a testament to the power of faith and trust in God. The inclusion of the Sa’i ritual in Hajj reinforces this belief and highlights Hagar’s significance as the mother of many nations and the matriarch in Islamic tradition.
ABRAHAMIC THEOLOGY 