A long debate between Muslims and Jews has raged for centuries regarding the infamous account of Abraham being tried by his Lord and told to sacrifice his son (which God then replaces with an animal sacrifice at the last moment,) with the Jews claiming that this son was “Isaac” whom God gave preference to, while the Muslims claim it was “Ishmael” whom God favored!
Who is right and who is wrong and does it even matter in the scheme of things?
[Genesis 22:1-2] Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
Part of the proof supplied by the Jews is the Bible passage in Genesis that clearly identifies the name of the son as “Isaac,” so our story should end here, but it doesn’t…
The term “only son” used in the same passage is the point of contention.
In the Bible itself, Abraham was given Ishmael 14 years prior to him being given the news of Isaac, so the term “only son” is indicative of a human error in Bible or a problem with the translation:
[Genesis 16:16] “Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.”
[Genesis 21:5] “Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.”
The Jewish response to this conundrum is that the term “only son” is a term of endearment and it means “the most loved/cherished” because that’s how Judaism views Isaac (as God’s chosen one). Also, they enjoy mentioning that Ishmael was born to Hagar, an Egyptian slave-woman by their claim, and therefore her son does not have the same status as Isaac who was born of Sarah, a free-woman.
[Genesis 17:20-21] And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.”
Now, rather than going on a tangent with the Bible stories and their implications, we would like to look at this entire subject from the authority of the Qur’an—the Last Testament—which to us as its followers is the final judge in any matter.
Abraham—The Curious Youth
The beginning of our story takes us all the way back to a young Abraham, who was living amongst his people yet he was unsatisfied with their way of life and their worship of idols.
6:74 And Abraham said to his father, Azar: “Will you take statues as gods? I see you and your people are clearly misguided.”
6:75 And it is such that We showed Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, so that he will be of those who have certainty.
6:76 When the night covered him, he saw a planet, and he said: “This is my Lord.” But when it disappeared he said: “I do not like those who disappear.”
6:77 So when he saw the moon rising, he said: “This is my Lord.” But when it disappeared he said: “If my Lord does not guide me, then I will be among the wicked people!”
6:78 So when he saw the sun rising, he said: “This is my Lord, this is bigger.” But when it disappeared he said: “My people, I am innocent of what you have set up.”
6:79 “I shall turn my face to the One who initiated the heavens and the earth, in monotheism, and I am not of the polytheists.”
Abraham Destroys the Idols
21:57 “And by God, I will plan against your statues after you have gone away and given your backs.”
21:58 So he broke them into pieces except for the biggest of them, so that they may turn to him.
21:59 They said: “Who has done this to our gods? He is surely one of the wicked.”
21:60 They said: “We heard a young man mentioning them. He was called Abraham.”
21:61 They said: “Bring him before the eyes of the people so that they may be witness.”
Abraham is Cast into the Fire
37:97 They said: “Build for him a structure, then cast him into its fire.”
37:98 So they wanted to plan against him, but We made them the losers.
37:99 And he said: “I am going to my Lord; He will guide me.”
37:100 “My Lord, grant me from among the righteous.”
37:101 So We gave him the good news of a compassionate boy.
We need to stop here for a moment and realize that in the above verses, Abraham, the young man, asks God for a righteous one (son?) – and God responds that he was granted such.
Abraham Leaves His People—Lot Emigrates with Him
29:25 And he said: “You have only taken idols besides God so that you may have affection amongst yourselves in this worldly life. But then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will reject one another, and curse one another. Your destiny is Hell, and you will have no victors.”
29:26 Lot believed with him and said: “I am emigrating to my Lord. He is the Noble, the Wise.”
21:71 And We saved him and Lot to the land which We have blessed in for the worlds.
19:45 “My father, I fear that a retribution will inflict you from the Almighty and that you will become an ally to the devil.”
19:46 He said: “Have you forsaken my gods O Abraham? If you do not stop this, I will stone you. You should let me be.”
19:47 He said: “Peace be upon you, I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. He has been most kind to me.”
19:48 “And I will abandon you and what you call on besides God. And I will implore my Lord, hoping that I will not be mischievous in imploring my Lord.”
19:49 So when he abandoned them and what they served besides God, We granted him Isaac and Jacob, and each of them We made a prophet.
Lot’s Relationship to Abraham
It is important to stop at this point and analyze the relationship between Lot and Abraham—which is often overlooked. According to the Qur’an, there is a “blood relation” between Abraham and Lot where God refers to Lot as Abraham’s “progeny”:
6:83 And such was Our argument that We gave Abraham over his people; We raise the degree of whom We please. Your Lord is Wise, Knowledgeable.
6:84 And We granted him Isaac and Jacob, both of whom We guided; and Noah We guided from before; and from his progeny is David, and Solomon, and Job, and Joseph, and Moses, and Aaron. It is such that We recompense the good doers.
6:85 And Zechariah and John, and Jesus, and Elias; all were from the upright.
6:86 And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot; and each We have preferred over the worlds.
Some commentators of the Qur’an have noticed this glaring evidence of the relationship between Lot and Abraham and opted to argue that the “progeny” here is referring to “Noah” and not to “Abraham.” While this argument may appear to hold some sway, it quickly crumbles when we look at 17:2-3 which tells us that Moses and the Children of Israel (all descendants of Abraham) are from the progeny of those whom God carried “with Noah” and not Noah himself:
17:2 And We gave Moses the Book and We made it a guidance for the Children of Israel: “Do not believe in any besides Me.”
17:3 The progeny of those whom We carried with Noah, he was a thankful servant.
Now, whether the reader thinks that “progeny” means direct blood (e.g. son,) or that it means blood relationship (e.g. nephew,) it is important to remember this relationship between Abraham and Lot as it will come into question later on in the sequence of events to come…
The Dream of the Sacrifice
We come back to the “son” whom Abraham was granted as an answer to his prayer after the episode with his people and the fire.
37:99 And he said: “I am going to my Lord; He will guide me.”
37:100 “My Lord, grant me from among the righteous.”
37:101 So We gave him the good news of a compassionate boy.
37:102 And when he grew enough to work with him, he said: “My son, I am seeing in a dream that I am sacrificing you. What do you think?” He said: “O my father, do what you are commanded to do. You will find me, God willing, patient.”
37:103 So when they both had submitted, and he was laid by his forehead.
37:104 And We called him: “O Abraham,”
37:105 “You have carried out the vision.” It was such that We rewarded the righteous.
37:106 Surely, this was an exacting test.
37:107 And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.
While this is the same question we began our article with, there are several points that need to be further expanded:
- The term “father” does not necessarily mean a biological father.
2:133 Or were you present when death came to Jacob and he said to his sons: “Who shall you serve from after me?” They said: “Your god, and the god of your fathers Abram, and Ishmael, and Isaac; One god and to Him we submit.”
Here we can see that “Ishmael” (Jacob’s uncle) is being called “your father” by the sons of Jacob. Commentators to the Qur’an have said this may have been a “term of endearment,” yet they cannot deny that the uncle here is being called “father”.
The Qur’an uses the term “Ab’aak or Ab’eek” to indicate any person that has raised or guided you, and not simply our biological father. For example, Abraham, towards the believers is called “your father” (Ab’eekum)—which obviously is not a biological term.
22:78 And strive for God a genuine striving. He is the One who has chosen you, and He has made no hardship for you in the system—the creed of your father Abraham. He is the One who named you ‘those who have submitted’ from before and in this; so let the messenger be witness over you and you be witness over the people. So hold the Connection and contribute towards purification and hold tight to God, He is your patron. What an excellent Patron, and what an excellent Supporter.
- The term “son” does not necessarily mean biological son
Similarly, according to the Qur’an, we can have “sons” whom we raise but are not from our seed:
4:23 Forbidden for you are your mothers, and your daughters, and your sisters, and the sisters of your father, and the sisters of your mother, and the daughters of your brother, and the daughters of your sister, and your foster mothers who suckled you, and your sisters from suckling, and the mothers of your women, and your step-daughters who are in your lodgings from your women with whom you have already consummated the marriage; if you have not consummated the marriage then there is no sin upon you; and those who were in wedlock with your sons who are from your seed, and that you join between two sisters except what has already been done. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Therefore, while 37:102 refers to both “father” and “son,” this could be the result of Abraham being the guardian or custodian or relative of the boy/child and not necessarily the biological father.
Abraham Settles Part of His Progeny in an Uncultivated Valley
14:37 “Our Lord, I have resided part of my progeny in a valley without vegetation, near Your Restricted Sanctuary. Our Lord, that they may hold the Connection, so let the minds of the people incline towards them and give provisions to them of the fruits that they may give thanks.”
14:38 “Our Lord, you know what we hide and what we declare. And nothing at all is hidden from God on the earth or in the heavens.”
14:39 “Praise be to God who has granted me to my old age Ishmael and Isaac; my Lord is Hearer of the prayer.”
We again need to leave the options open here—while it may be tempting to assume that “Ishmael” is the one residing in the uncultivated valley, we need to now recall that the word “progeny” also includes Lot.
Lot Settles in a Different Land from Abraham
29:28 And Lot, when he said to his people: “You commit an immorality that no others in the world have done before!”
29:29 “You sexually approach men, and you commit highway robbery, and you bring all vice into your society.” But the only response from his people was to say: “Bring us the retribution of God, if you are being truthful!”
29:30 He said: “My Lord, grant me victory over the wicked people.”
29:31 And when Our messengers came to Abraham with good news, they said: “We are to destroy the people of such a town, for its people have been wicked.”
29:32 He said: “But Lot is in it!” They said: “We are fully aware of who is in it. We will save him and his family, except his wife; she is of those doomed.”
The story of Lot residing in a separate location from Abraham is very reflective of what occurred in 14:37 where Abraham left “part of his progeny” in another land.
Abraham and Ishmael are the Custodians of the Temple
22:26 And We have directed Abraham to the location of the Sanctuary: “Do not set up anyone with Me, and purify My Sanctuary for those who visit, and those who are standing, and the kneeling, the prostrating.”
22:27 And call out to the people with the Pilgrimage, they will come to you walking and on every transport, they will come from every deep enclosure.
2:125 And it was so, that We have made the Sanctuary to be a model for the people and a place of safety. And you shall take the station of Abram as an orientation for connecting. And We made a pledge to Abram and Ishmael: “You shall purify My Sanctuary for those who visit, and those who are devoted, and the kneeling, the prostrating.”
2:126 And it was so, that Abram said: “My Lord, make this a land of peace, and provide for its inhabitants of the fruits for whoever believes in God and the Last Day.” He said: “As for he who rejects, I will let him enjoy for a while, then I will force him to the retribution of the Fire. What a miserable destiny!”
2:127 And it was so, that Abram was raising the foundations for the Sanctuary, and Ishmael: “Our Lord accept this from us, You are the Hearer, the Knowledgeable.”
2:128 “Our Lord, and let us submit to You and from our progeny a nation submitting to You, and show us our rites, and forgive us; You are the Forgiver, the Merciful.”
Abraham and Ishmael have both been charged with the upkeep and custody of God’s Sanctuary, as well as the receiving of the Pilgrims who will attend to such. This duty that has been placed upon them means that Abraham and Ishmael are almost inseparable—so, we go back again and ask: “who was it of Abraham’s progeny that was left behind in the uncultivated valley in 14:37 as he could not have been separated from “Ishmael” when it comes to preserving God’s Sanctuary?”
Lot’s People Are Destroyed While Abraham Has Reached an Old Age
29:33 And when Our messengers came to Lot, they were mistreated, and he was embarrassed towards them. And they said: “Do not fear, and do not be saddened. We will save you and your family, except for your wife; she is of those doomed.”
29:34 “We will send down upon the people of this town an affliction from the heaven for what wickedness they were in.”
29:35 And We left remains of it as a clear sign for a people who comprehend.
11:70 But when he saw that their hands did not go towards it, he mistrusted them, and he began to have fear of them. They said: “Have no fear, we have been sent to the people of Lot.”
11:71 And his wife was standing, so she laughed when We gave her the good news of Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob.
11:72 She said: “O my! Shall I give birth when I am an old woman, and here is my husband an old man? This is indeed a strange thing!”
11:73 They said: “Do you wonder at the decree of God? The mercy of God and blessings are upon you O people of the Sanctuary. He is Praiseworthy, Glorious.”
11:74 So when the shock had left Abraham, and the good news had been fathomed, he began to argue with Us for the people of Lot.
11:75 Abraham was compassionate, kind, obedient.
11:76 “O Abraham, turn away from this. The command of your Lord has been passed, and a retribution that will not be turned back is coming for them.”
11:77 And when Our messengers came to Lot, he was grieved by them and he felt discomfort for them and he said: “This is a distressful day.”
11:78 And his people came rushing towards him, and before it they were committing sin, he said: “My people, these are my daughters, they are purer for you, so be aware of God and do not disgrace me regarding my guests. Is there no wise man among you?”
11:79 They said: “You know we have no interest in your daughters, and you are aware of what we want!”
11:80 He said: “If only I had strength against you, or I could find for myself some powerful support.”
11:81 They said: “O Lot, we are messengers of your Lord; they will not be able to harm you, so travel with your family during the cover of the night and let not any of you look back except for your wife, she will be afflicted with what they will be afflicted. Their scheduled time will be the morning. Is the morning not near?”
11:82 So when Our command came, We made its highest part become its lowest, and We rained on it with hardened fiery projectiles.
11:83 Prepared by your Lord, and they are never far from the wicked.
Lot’s Town
We will conclude our story with Lot’s Town which has now been destroyed and simply highlight some elements of its existence which may have been overlooked…
15:73 So the scream took them at sunrise.
15:74 Thus We made its highest part become its lowest, and We rained upon them fiery projectiles.
15:75 In this are signs for those who see.
15:76 And it was on an established path.
15:77 In that is a sign for the believers.
37:133 And Lot was one of the messengers.
37:134 When We saved him and all his family.
37:135 Except an old woman who remained.
37:136 Then, We destroyed the rest.
37:137 And you pass by them in the morning;
37:138 And in the night. Do you not comprehend?
25:40 And they have come upon the town that was showered with a miserable shower. Did they not see it? No, they do not expect any resurrection.
The town of Lot was on an “established path” (trade route,) and you may by now have realized the verses that oddly bring Mohammed in the vicinity of the town of Lot (see 37:137-138, 25:40), which means that the town of Lot and the area of the “restricted temple” are one in the same!
How can this possibly be…unless…
14:37 “Our Lord, I have resided part of my progeny in a valley without vegetation, near Your Restricted Sanctuary. Our Lord, that they may hold the Connection, so let the minds of the people incline towards them and give provisions to them of the fruits that they may give thanks.”
That is because the “progeny” mentioned in 14:37 was none other than Lot himself.
Lot was always on Abraham’s mind, even in his old age when he was given the news of “Isaac” he immediately jumped to mention Lot living in the town the angels were to destroy. It is the love a “father” has for the “son” that he has taken care of—a love that makes Abraham bold enough to argue against the angels and implore them to “abort” their mission.
29:31 And when Our messengers came to Abraham with good news, they said: “We are to destroy the people of such a town, for its people have been wicked.”
29:32 He said: “But Lot is in it!” They said: “We are fully aware of who is in it. We will save him and his family, except his wife; she is of those doomed.”
Summary
- Abraham was a young man (21:60)
- Abraham was not satisfied with his people’s way of life
- Abraham discovered the truth and submitted to God alone
- Abraham attacked the idols to prove to his people their uselessness
- Abraham was sentenced to death, which God saved him from
- Abraham prays for a boy, to which God responds by granting him such (37:100-101)
- Lot is from Abraham’s “progeny”
- Abraham emigrates from his people and is accompanied by Lot (29:26, 21:71)
- Abraham and Lot settle in the “Blessed Land” (21:71)
- Abraham sees in a dream that he is sacrificing his son, and attempts to carry out such (37:102)
- Abraham has settled part of his progeny near the “restricted” Sanctuary
- Lot is no longer with Abraham
- Abraham Raises the Foundations of the Sanctuary with Ishmael
- Abraham is told in his old age that he will be granted “Isaac”
- Abraham is also told that Lot’s people will be destroyed for their wickedness
- Parts of Lot’s Town are left as a reminder for future generations
- Mohammed resides at the same place where Lot’s town of situation, near the “restricted” Sanctuary
Lot was Abraham’s “progeny” and the relationship between him and Abraham is the oldest one we have recorded before the birth of any other sons. Later on, Abraham sees in the dream that he is slaughtering his “son”, which for all intents and purposes would appear to be none other than Lot. Lot tells him not to doubt and to carry out the vision, and thus God provides an animal sacrifice as a substitute to Lot’s sacrifice. Later on, Lot sets up residence in a town on a trade route near God’s “restricted” Sanctuary where he lives for many years and has adult daughters. The town of Lot is destroyed by God for their deviant behavior and parts of the town is left behind for people to see. Mohammed is raised in the same place and encounters the remains of the town of Lot on a daily basis (the “restricted” Sanctuary).
37:99 And he said: “I am going to my Lord; He will guide me.”
37:100 “My Lord, grant me from among the righteous.”
37:101 So We gave him the good news of a compassionate boy.
37:102 And when he grew enough to work with him, he said: “My son, I am seeing in a dream that I am sacrificing you. What do you think?” He said: “O my father, do what you are commanded to do. You will find me, God willing, patient.”
37:103 So when they both had submitted, and he was laid by his forehead.
37:104 And We called him: “O Abraham,”
37:105 “You have carried out the vision.” It was such that We rewarded the righteous.
37:106 Surely, this was an exacting test.
37:107 And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.
The answer to the question posed at the very start of this article: “It was Lot who was to be sacrificed”.
“…The matter which you have sought is now concluded” (Qur’an 12:41)
Written for www.free-minds.org
