Abraham (2)
Bible
Abraham has a son, Ishmael (ch.16). He receives heavenly visitors (ch.18). He prays for his nephew, Lot, but Sodom is destroyed (ch.19). The child of the promise, Isaac, is born, and Hagar and Ishmael are sent away (ch.21)
Qur’an
Sura 14 is named after Abraham. In this sura Abraham prays to God, saying:
Praise be to God who has granted me Ishmael and Isaac in my old age. My Lord hears all requests (Q 14:39)
The story of the Messengers coming to Abraham and announcing that he will have a son in his old age is told:
To Abraham Our messengers brought good news. They said “Peace.” He answered, “Peace,” and without delay he brought in a roasted calf. When he saw that their hands did not reach toward the meal, he found this strange and became afraid of them. But they said, “Do not be afraid. We have been sent against the people of Lot.” His wife was standing [nearby] and laughed. We gave her good news of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob. She said. “Alas for me! How am I to bear a child when I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? “They said, “Are you astonished at what God ordains? The grace of God and His blessings be upon you, people of this house! For He is worthy of all praise and glory“ (Q 11:69-73).
The cryptic style of the Qur’an is notable here: there is no mention of place (the Oak of Mamre), nor the circumstances (the hottest part of the day),
But the hospitality of Abraham is stressed, as it is in the Bible account.
The fact that the messengers will not eat arouses Abraham’s suspicion; refusing to share food is a sign of enmity. Abraham does not know that the messengers are angels who do not need food.
This story is told also in Q 15:51-56 and Q 51:24-30).
In Q 37:100 we find Abraham praying:
“Lord, grant me a righteous son.”
The text continues:
So we gave him the good news that he would have a patient son.
The name of this son is not mentioned. There is no mention of Abraham’s slave-girl, Hagar who, according to Genesis bears Abraham Ishmael.
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).
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