Accompanying Ramadan 5

Abraham (1)

Bible

Abraham leaves his family and his country in obedience to God to go to the promised land (Genesis ch.12). He sets off with his wife, Sarai (Sarah), and his nephew Lot, But Abraham and Lot separate (ch. 13). Abraham fights against four kings and pays tribute to Melchisedek (ch.14). God makes a covenant with Abraham (ch.15), marked by circumcision (ch.17).

The praise of Abraham is sung in Ecclesiasticus 44:20-23)

NT

Matthew traces the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham (Mt 1:1-2).

Discussion with the Jews about descent from Abraham (Jn 8:11-59; cf. also Mt 3:9).

Abraham as a witness of faith (Gal 3:6-9; Heb 11:8-10, 17-19) and the example of Sarah (Heb 11:11-12).

Qur’an

For Muslims, there is no account of the Covenant, marked by circumcision, and no mention of the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. Abraham (Ibrâhîm) is above all the champion of monotheism:

Remember when Abraham said to his father, Azar, ‘How can you take idols as gods? I see that you and your people have clearly gone astray.’ In this way We showed Abraham [God’s] mighty dominion over the heavens and the earth, so that he might be a firm believer. When the night grew dark over him he saw a star and said, ‘This is my Lord’, but when it set, he said, ‘I do not like things that set.’ And when he saw the moon rising he said, ‘This is my Lord, but when it too set, he said, ‘If my Lord does not guide me, I shall be one of those who go astray.’ Then he saw the sun rising and cried, ‘This is my Lord! This is greater.’ bBut when the sun set, he said, ‘My people, I disown all that you worship beside God. I have turned my face as a true believer towards Him who created the heavens and the earth. I am not one of the polytheists.’ (Q 6:74-79).

Another passage tells how Abraham outwitted his family with regard to idols.

Long ago We bestowed right judgement on Abraham and we knew him well. He said to his father and his people, “What are these images to which you are so devoted?” They replied, “We found our fathers astray… By god, I shall certainly outwit your idols as soon as you have turned your backs!”  He broke them all into pieces, but left the biggest one for them to return to. They said, “Who has done this to our gods?..

Some said, “We heard a youth called Abraham talking about them”… They asked, Was it you, Abraham, who did this to our gods?” He said, “No, it was done by the biggest of them – this one. Ask them , if they can talk… How can you worship what can neither benefit you nor harm you, instead of God? Have you no sense?” They said, “Burn him and avenge your gods… But We said, “Fire be cool and safe for Abraham.”

(Q 21: 52-79).

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian. He was upright (ḥanîf) and devoted to God (muslim) (Q 3: 67).

Who could be better in religion than those who direct themselves wholly to God, do good, and follow the religion of Abraham, who was true in faith? God took Abraham as a friend (Khalîl) (Q 4:125)

Thus Abraham is recognized as a forerunner of Muhammad who refused the polytheism of Mekka, preached monotheism, but would not align himself with Jews and Christians who also claimed to be monotheists.

For further reading see Bradford E HINZE and Irfan A. OMAR (eds),

Heirs of Abraham, Maryknoll New York, Orbis books 2015

(reflections and responses by Reuven Firestone [Jewish], Michael L. Fitzgerald [Christian], Mahmoud M. Ayoub (Muslim).