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8. Abraham (Ibrahim)

 

Abraham was one of the descendants of Noah. Abraham was a man who loved God, he trusted God, and he followed God. One of the desires of his heart was to have a child. At the age of 99 he still had no child. His wife Sarah at the age of 90 had no child. But God said "I've promised to make your children as numerous the stars." It wasn't a laughing matter, but they doubted God, but God was so faithful he provided them a child in Isaac, an impossible birth. A 90-year-old woman and a 99-year-old father had a child, and that birth was pointing forward to the miraculous, impossible birth of Jesus, born to a virgin. Our God can do anything! He is a worker of miracles and his promises are true. He is faithful!

·      Read in The Qur’an – 2:125, 21:72, 2:260, 4:163, 6:83-86, 6:74, 6:75-80, 37:88, 9:114, 11:69-72, 14:35, 37

·      Read in The Tanakh and The Bible - Genesis 11:31; 12, 15, 17, 18, 21; Exodus 32:13; Hebrews 11:17–18, Romans 4:1-12

 

Readings from The Qur’an:

·      The Qur'an 2:125 “We commanded Ibrahim (Abraham) and Isma'il (Ishmael) that they should purify My House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (I’tikaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer).”

·      Where is this command or story given in the Tanakh or Bible?

·      Why is there no reference to the Ka'bah or Mecca/Makkah in the Tanakh or Bible?

·      Why is Isaac not listed here?

·      The Qur’an 21:72. “And We bestowed upon him Ishaq (Isaac), and (a grandson) Ya'qub (Jacob). Each one We made righteous.”

·      Why is Ishmael not listed here?

·      The Qur'an 2:260 “And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said, ‘My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.’ He (Allah) said: ‘Do you not believe?’ He [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: ‘Yes (I believe), but to be stronger in Faith.’ He said: ‘Take four birds, then cause them to incline towards you (then slaughter them, cut them into pieces), and then put a portion of them on every hill, and call them, they will come to you in haste. And know that Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.’”

·      Why is this story not in the Tanakh or Bible which predate the Qur’an by 2,000+ years? How is this different than the account of Abraham’s sacrifice in Genesis 15:7-20? What was that vision from God all about?

·      The Qur'an 4:163 “Verily, We have sent the revelation to you (O Muhammad) as We sent the revelation to Nuh (Noah) and the Prophets after him; We (also) sent the revelation to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma`il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya'qub (Jacob), and Al-Asbat [the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya'qub (Jacob)], 'Isa (Jesus), Ayyub (Job), Yunus (Jonah), Haran (Aaron), and Sulaiman (Solomon); and to Dawud (David) We gave the Zabur (Psalms).”

·      The Qur'an 6:83-86 “And that was Our Proof which We gave Ibrahim (Abraham) against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. 84. And We bestowed upon him Ishaq (Isaac) and Ya'qub (Jacob), each of them We guided, and before him, We guided Nub (Noah), and among his progeny Dawud (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Ayyub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), and Harun (Aaron). Thus do We reward Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers - see the footnote of V .9:120). 85. And Zakariya (Zachariya), and Yahya (John) and 'Isa (Jesus) and Iliyas (Elias), each one of them was of the righteous. 86. And Isma'il (Ishmael) and Al-Yasa' (Elisha), and Yunus (Jonah) and Lut (Lot), and each one of them We preferred above the 'Alamin [mankind and jinn (of their times)].

·      Since the Qur’an says revelation came to Ibrahim (Abraham) and through the Torat (Torah) and Injeel (Bible), shouldn’t Muslims know the full story of Ibrahim (Abraham) given in the Tanakh and Bible?

·      The Qur'an 6:74 “And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said to his father Azar: ‘Do you take idols as alihah (gods)? Verily, I see you and your people in manifest error’”

·      While the Tanakh and Bible forbid idolatry, why is there no reference to Azar in the Torah, Tanakh, or the Bible?

·       

·      The Qur'an 6:75-80. “Thus did we show Ibrahim (Abraham) the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith with certainty. 76. When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He said: ‘This is my lord.’ But when it set, he said: ‘I like not those that set.’ 77. When he saw the moon rising up, he said: ‘This is my lord.’ But when it set, he said: ‘Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among the people who went astray.’ 78. When he saw the sun rising up, he said: ‘This is my lord. This is greater.’ But when it set, he said: ‘O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners (in worship with Allah). 79. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Hanif, (Islamic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allah Alone), and I am not of Al-Mushrikun’ (See V.2:105).  80. His people disputed with him. He said: "Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while He has guided me, and I fear not those whom you associate with Him (Allah) in worship. (Nothing can happen to me) except when my Lord (Allah) wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge all things. Will you not then remember?”

·      While the Tanakh and Bible affirm God’s oneness (monotheism), sovereignty (divine control), and omniscience (all-knowing), as well as the serious sin of idolatry, why is this account of Abraham never seen in the Tanakh and Bible?

·      The Qur’an 37:88 “Then he cast a glance at the stars”

·      How is this different from Qur’an 6:75-80? How is this similar to the account of Abraham in the Tanakh and the Bible? What details is this reference missing?

·      The Qur'an 9:114 “And Ibrahim's (Abraham) invoking (of Allah) for his father's forgiveness was only because of a promise he [Ibrahim (Abraham)] had made to him (his father). But when it became clear to him [Ibrahim (Abraham)] that he (his father) is an enemy of Allah, he dissociated himself from him. Verily Ibrahim (Abraham) was Awwah (one who invokes Allah with humility, glorifies Him and remembers Him much) and was forbearing. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi)”

·      Where is this story found in the Tanakh or the Bible?

·      The Qur'an 11:69-72 “And verily, there came Our messengers to Ibrahim (Abraham) with glad tidings. They said: Salam (greetings or peace!) He answered, Salam (greetings or peace!) and he hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. 70. But when he saw their hands went not towards it (the meal), he mistrusted them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: ‘Fear not, we have been sent against the people of Lut (Lot).’ 71. And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed [either, because the messengers did not eat their food or for being glad for the destruction of the people of Lut (Lot)]. But We gave her glad tidings of lshaq (Isaac), and after Ishaq, of Ya'qub (Jacob). 72. She said (in astonishment): ‘Woe unto me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman,111 and here is my husband an old man? Verily! This is a strange thing!’”

·      When Abraham’s wife laughs in the Tanakh and Bible, the timing and reasoning is different (in the Tanakh and Bible she laughs at the possibility of pregnancy in her old age, not because of angels not eating food nor because of being glad of God’s wrath). Why would these accounts be different?

·      The Qur'an 14:35, 37. “And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said: ‘O my Lord! Make this city (Makkah) one of peace and security, and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols…. 37. "O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) in order, 0 our Lord, that they may perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat).

·      Why does the Christian Bible have no mention of Mecca (Makkah) or the Ka’bah?

 

Readings from The Tanakh and The Bible:

·      Genesis 11:31 “Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there.”

·      Why does the Tanakh and Bible (which predates the Qur’an by 2,000+ years) identify Abraham’s father as “Terah” when the Qur’an 6:74 says that his name is “Azar”?

·      Genesis 12:1–5 “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. [2] And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ [4] So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. [5] And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan.”

·      What sort of things was Abraham leaving behind when he moved from Haran? If God called you to leave your homeland, what would be difficult and challenging about that move?

·      Genesis 15:1–6 “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” [2] But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” [3] And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” [4] And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” [5] And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” [6] And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

·      How did God describe Himself in Genesis 15:1?

·      What was Abraham’s biggest concern (Genesis 15:2)?

·      What promise did God make to Abraham in Genesis 15:5?

·      How does Genesis 15:6 describe Abraham’s response to God’s revelation?

·      When we read or hear God’s genuine revelation, what should our response be?

·      Genesis 15:7–21 “And he said to him, “I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” [8] But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” [9] He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” [10] And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. [11] And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. [12] As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. [13] Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. [14] But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. [15] As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. [16] And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” [17] When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. [18] On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, [19] the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, [20] the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, [21] the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.” (ESV)

·      How is this sacrifice of Abraham different from what Qur’an 2:260 describes?

·      What was this vision from God all about? What covenant was God making with Abraham here (Genesis 15:18-20)?

·      Exodus 32:13 “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’”

·      While the Qur’an describes Abraham as worshipping the stars, how does the Tanakh and Bible describe God using the stars to make a promise to Abraham?

·      Why does the Tanakh and Bible continue to reference Isaac and not Ishmael? What does it mean that Isaac was the son of promise? How is this pointing forward to God sending His only Son Jesus as the ultimate Son of Promise?

·      What does it mean to reference the land as “the Promised Land”? How does this point forward to our ultimate hope through Jesus in Heaven?

·      Hebrews 11:17–18 “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, [18] of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”

·      How did Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac point forward to God the Father’s willingness to sacrifice His Son, Jesus Christ?

·      Romans 4:1–12 “What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? [2] For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. [3] For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” [4] Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. [5] And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, [6] just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: [7] “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; [8] blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” [9] Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. [10] How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. [11] He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, [12] and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.”

·      According to Romans 4:1-12, what does it mean to “walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had”?

·      Romans 4:3 says Abraham’s belief in God was counted to him as righteousness.

·      Why is our faith not founded on our works, but on the finished work of God in Christ?

 

See also:

·      “What does the Bible Say about Abraham?” www.trustworthyword.com/abraham