Azahari Hassim
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, Islam is often seen as a false religion due to historical conflicts and differing beliefs, with Jews and Christians viewing their scriptures as the ultimate word of God and the Quran as misguided.
Islam, however, recognizes Judaism and Christianity as stemming from the same monotheistic roots. While it acknowledges the Torah and the Gospel, Muslims believe these texts have been altered.
Consequently, Islam is viewed as the final restoration of the original faith, correcting earlier revelations and emphasizing pure monotheism. Judaism and Christianity are not considered false, but rather deviations from what Muslims see as God’s true message.
The tension between Isaac and Ishmael arises from the fact that both sons were considered heirs to Abraham, and their descendants became the ancestors of the Jewish and Arab peoples, respectively.
It is a common belief among Jews, Christians, and Muslims that God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son. However, these faiths differ on which son was to be sacrificed. Jews and Christians, drawing from the Old Testament, believe it was Isaac. In contrast, Muslims believe it was Ishmael.
What is the premise of their argument?
The tension between Isaac and Ishmael primarily stems from their status as sons of Abraham, who is a significant figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Each faith views these two sons as important heirs, which has implications for their respective religious narratives and identities.
In the Biblical tradition, especially in Judaism and Christianity, Isaac is portrayed as the child of promise. According to the Old Testament, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising that he would be the father of a great nation through Isaac, whom he had with his wife Sarah after years of barrenness. The narrative of the near-sacrifice of Isaac, known as the Akedah or the Binding of Isaac, illustrates Abraham’s faith and fidelity to God. This event is pivotal in Jewish thought and also has significance in Christian teachings, as it is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus.
On the other hand, Islamic tradition holds that God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Ishmael, the son he had with Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant. In Islam, Ishmael is also viewed as a significant figure, often considered the forefather of many Arab tribes and an ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad. The story of the sacrifice is celebrated during the festival of Eid al-Adha, which commemorates Abraham’s willingness to obey God.
The core of the argument revolves around the identity and heritage implications of which son was chosen for the sacrifice. For Jews and Christians, Isaac represents the covenant and the beginning of their lineage, while for Muslims, Ishmael signifies a connection to a vast number of Arab peoples and Islamic identity. This divergence in beliefs creates a theological and historical rift that underlies a broader narrative of conflict and rivalry between the descendants of these two figures.
This divergence has fueled the historical and ongoing tensions between Jewish and Arab nations, with each group claiming a rightful heritage traced back to their respective patriarch, Abraham. The disagreement over which son was to be sacrificed can be seen as symbolic of deeper issues of identity, legitimacy, and divine favor that continue to influence interfaith relations and political dynamics today.
Islam is considered as a restored religion of Abraham due to Judaism corrupting their text as regards a son whom Abraham was commanded to sacrifice. At the same time, Christianity corrupted their scripture concerning the oneness of God and the rite of circumcision. What is the explanation for this?
The belief that Islam is a restored religion of Abraham stems from the belief that both Judaism and Christianity deviated from the original teachings of Abraham. According to Islamic beliefs, Judaism corrupted their text by incorrectly interpreting the command to sacrifice a son, as mentioned in the Quran. Muslims believe that Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son Ishmael, not Isaac as mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.
Similarly, Muslims believe that Christianity corrupted their scripture by deviating from the belief in the oneness of God (monotheism) and by modifying the rite of circumcision. Islam emphasizes the concept of tawheed, which is the belief in the oneness of God, and questions the Trinity as mentioned in Christian theology. Islam also practices circumcision, although the method and significance may differ from those in Judaism and some Christian traditions.
These differences and perceived corruptions are seen from the perspective of Islamic theology, which asserts that Islam is the restoration of the original teachings of Abraham, as revealed in the Quran.
The right of Ishmael as being the firstborn of Abraham
Genesis 16, verse 3, is a verse from the Bible that describes a key event involving Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. In this verse, Sarai (later known as Sarah), the wife of Abram (later known as Abraham), gives her Egyptian maidservant Hagar to Abraham as a wife to bear children, as Sarah had not been able to conceive. This action marks a significant moment in the narrative, as it leads to complex family dynamics and consequences in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Genesis 16, verse 3, reads:
And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
Deuteronomy 21, verses 15 to 17, is a passage from the Old Testament of the Bible that addresses the rights of a man concerning his sons, particularly in the context of inheritance. The verses outline conditions for a man who has two wives, one he loves and one he does not. The law states that when dividing his inheritance among his sons, he must not favor the son of the loved wife over the son of the unloved wife. Instead, he should acknowledge the firstborn son, regardless of the mother’s status. This passage emphasizes fairness and the importance of honoring the firstborn in matters of inheritance.
Deuteronomy 21, verses 15 to 17, reads:
If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:
Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:
But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
What was the rationale behind the prophet’s decision to present his firstborn instead of his other sons, as detailed in the Bible (Micah 6, verse 7)?
The verse reads: “Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”.
The rationale behind the prophet’s decision to present his firstborn instead of his other sons in Micah 6, verse 7 is likely based on the cultural and religious significance of the firstborn in ancient Israelite society.
In many ancient cultures, including Israelite culture, the firstborn held a special status and had certain privileges and responsibilities. This included being the primary heir to the family’s inheritance and having a special connection to the divine.
By offering his firstborn, the prophet may have been trying to convey the seriousness and gravity of the situation. This action would have been a powerful symbol of sacrifice and devotion, as the firstborn was typically seen as the most valuable and cherished among the children.
It could also be seen as a way of emphasizing the depth of the prophet’s regret and repentance for his transgressions, as offering one’s firstborn would have been an unimaginable and incredibly difficult act for any parent.
ABRAHAMIC THEOLOGY 