If Abraham had not existed, how would the three Abrahamic religions appear?

If Abraham had not existed, the three Abrahamic religions — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — would look fundamentally different, given that Abraham is a critical figure in all three. He is regarded as a patriarch and important prophet, and his life stories and covenants with God form significant parts of each religion's teachings.

1. Judaism: Abraham is called the first Jew in Judaism, and he is the figure with whom God's covenant was made, promising him numerous descendants and the Land of Israel. Without Abraham, it's hard to imagine how the Jewish identity and theology would form.

2. Christianity: Christians also view Abraham as a significant figure because he is seen as a model of faith. Paul, in the New Testament, points to Abraham's faith as an example for Christians to follow. Without Abraham, the Christian understanding of faith and works might be different.

3. Islam: Abraham (known as Ibrahim) is deeply revered in Islam. He's considered the father of many prophets through his sons Isaac and Ishmael and also serves as the model for hajj rituals.

Moreover, the absence of Abraham would have resulted in missing influential narratives such as the binding or sacrificing of Isaac (in Judaism and Christianity) or Ishmael (in Islam), highlighting the nature of ultimate sacrifice and submission to God.

Overall, without Abraham, these religions might have evolved with different patriarchal figures or might not have come into existence at all. The focus of these religions could potentially have been different too, perhaps putting greater emphasis on other prophets or figures, or developing around different central beliefs and narratives.

Interestingly, it is stated in the Hadith of Imam Muslim that Abraham is the best creation of Allah.

Anas bin Malik reported: A man came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said, “O best of creation!” Thereupon, the Prophet said, “That is Abraham, upon him be peace.”

‎عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ يَا خَيْرَ الْبَرِيَّةِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ذَاكَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام

‎صحيح مسلم كتاب الفضائل باب من فضائل إبراهيم الخليل صلى الله عليه وسلم

Why was the Jewish temple so vital to be attached to the person of Abraham?

The Jewish temple was so vital to be attached to the person of Abraham because Abraham was the founder of Judaism and the first person to make a covenant with God. The covenant was a promise that God made to Abraham and his descendants, that they would be God's chosen people and inherit the land of Canaan, also known as the Promised Land.
The temple was the place where the Jews worshipped God and offered sacrifices, as well as the symbol of their connection to God and the Promised Land. The temple was also believed to be the dwelling place of God's presence on earth, also known as the Shekhinah. Therefore, the temple was a vital link between Abraham, the father of Judaism, and God, the creator and protector of Judaism.

Did Abraham know that the temple would be built on the site where he almost sacrificed his son?

There is no definitive answer to whether Abraham knew that the temple would be built on the site where he almost sacrificed his son. Different traditions and interpretations have different views on this question. Here are some possible perspectives:

According to Jewish tradition, Abraham was aware of the future significance of Mount Moriah, as he named it "the Lord will provide" (Genesis 22 verse 14), implying that God would provide a place for His presence and worship there. Some Jewish sources also suggest that Abraham saw a vision of the future temple when he ascended the mountain with Isaac.

According to Christian tradition, Abraham did not know the exact location of the future temple, but he had faith that God would fulfill His promises to him and his descendants. Some Christian sources also see Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac as a foreshadowing of God's sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross.

According to Islamic tradition, Abraham did not sacrifice Isaac, but Ishmael, his firstborn son by Hagar. Muslims believe that Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba, the house of God, in Mecca, which is the holiest site in Islam. Muslims do not consider the Temple Mount in Jerusalem as the place where Abraham offered his son, but rather as the place where Muhammad ascended to heaven during his night journey.

Interfaith Perspectives: Islam's View on Judaism and Christianity

Islam does not regard Judaism and Christianity as false religions but views them as having been corrupted in aspects such as which son was to be offered, the unity of God, and the divine covenant of circumcision. How is this argument articulated?

In Islam, Judaism and Christianity are considered as previous Abrahamic religions, and Muslims believe that they initially contained truth and guidance from God. However, Muslims also believe that these religions underwent changes and corruptions over time.

In the matter of which son was offered for sacrifice, Islam differs from both Judaism and Christianity. In the Islamic tradition, it is understood that Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) was commanded by God to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Ishmael), not Isaac as mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Muslims regard Ismail as the intended son of sacrifice, and this event is commemorated during the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha.

Muslims also emphasize the unity of God, known as Tawhid, considering it as one of the fundamental principles of Islam. Islam strongly adheres to the notion that God is one and indivisible, without any partners or associates. This perspective varies from the Christian concept of the Trinity, which posits three distinct persons within the Godhead.

Another point of difference lies in the divine covenant of circumcision. In Christianity, the practice of circumcision is not considered a requirement or a necessary part of the divine covenant.
Muslims argue that these differences between Islam and other monotheistic religions highlight how the original teachings may have been altered or misinterpreted over time, leading Islam to claim that it is the final and most accurate revelation from God through the Prophet Muhammad.

Abraham's Role and His Covenant in Islamic Theology

What is Abraham's Role in Islamic Theology?

According to Islamic theology, the prophet Abraham (known as Ibrahim in Arabic) plays a pivotal role as one of the most important figures in the religion. The Quran refers to him as Khalilullah, meaning "the friend of God.

Abraham is seen as the father of monotheism and a patriarch for all three major Abrahamic faiths - Islam, Christianity and Judaism. He is considered a model of faith, obedience and devotion to the one true God. Some key aspects of Abraham’s significance in Islam include:

He is credited with establishing the Kaaba (House of God) in Mecca along with his son Ishmael. The Kaaba is Islam's most sacred site towards which Muslims pray.

Abraham is associated with the rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage, such as the pilgrims casting stones at Jamrat al-Aqabah, which commemorates the time when Abraham stoned Satan for attempting to dissuade him from carrying out God's command to sacrifice his son. Additionally, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah commemorates Hagar's search for water for her infant son, Ishmael. The Hajj reenacts many significant events from Abraham's life.

The Eid al-Adha holiday celebrates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God's command. God substituted a ram at the last moment, and Muslims commemorate this with ritual sacrifice.

Abraham is considered a "Muslim" in the sense of being one who submitted to God, even before the rise of Islam as a religion. He is a model for the Prophet Muhammad.

He is mentioned by name 69 times in the Quran and is revered as one of the greatest prophets along with Noah, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Blessings upon Ibrahim are recited by Muslims in daily prayers.

So in summary, the Prophet Ibrahim or Abraham is a central figure in Islam as the archetypal monotheist, a friend of God, a model of faith and obedience, and a patriarch whose life is commemorated through practices like the Hajj and Eid al-Adha. He represents a spiritual link between Islam and the other Abrahamic faiths.

Surah 2, verses 124 to 125 of the Quran read:

“And when his Lord tested Abraham with certain words, and he fulfilled them. God said, “I am making you a leader of humanity.” Abraham said, “And my descendants?” God said, “My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.”
“And We made the House a focal point for the people, and a sanctuary. Use the shrine of Abraham as a place of prayer. And We commissioned Abraham and Ishmael, “Sanctify My House for those who circle around it, and those who seclude themselves in it, and those who kneel and prostrate.”

The phrase "And when his Lord tested Abraham with certain words," presented in verse 124, is understood by Quranic commentators to refer to the tests and commands that God imparted to Abraham. These included leaving his family in a barren land, sacrificing his son Ishmael, rebuilding the Kaaba (House of God), and instituting the rite of circumcision.

The Quran clearly states in Surah 2, verse 124 that God made a covenant with Abraham through his son Ishmael, not Isaac. The covenant was established prior to the birth of Isaac, who is regarded as a divine gift to Abraham and Sarah, a result of Abraham's readiness to offer Ishmael as a sacrifice.

In this context, Ishmael is understood as a son dedicated to God, whereas Isaac is considered a son of blessing for Abraham and Sarah. This contradicts the Biblical account which portrays Isaac as the son who was to inherit the covenant from Abraham.

The Quran and the Promised Land in the Torah

Holy Quran 21 verse 71

وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ وَلُوطًا إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّتِى بَٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا لِلْعَٰلَمِينَ

And We saved Abraham and Lot [and brought them] to a land which We had blessed for all people.

Holy Quran 21 verse 105

‎وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِى ٱلزَّبُورِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلذِّكْرِ أَنَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِىَ ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ

We have already written in the Psalms following the Reminder(Torah), "My righteous servants shall inherit the land."

Some scholars believe that Surah 21 verse 105 of the Quran is related to Surah 21 verse 71. Therefore, the land promised by God to Abraham in the Torah will be inherited by Muslims, as mentioned in Surah 21 verse 105. How is this argument explained?
The argument that Surah 21 Verse 105 is related to Surah 21 verse 71 is based on the following points:

Both verses mention the land of Canaan, which was promised to Abraham by God in the Torah. The land of Canaan generally encompassed parts of what are now modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

Surah 21 verse 71 states that Abraham and Lot were brought to a land that God had blessed for all people. This could be interpreted as a reference to the land of Canaan, which was promised to Abraham as a place where all people would be blessed.

Surah 21 verse 105 states that God has written in the Psalms that His righteous servants will inherit the land. This could be interpreted as a reference to the land of Canaan, which was promised to Abraham's descendants as a place where they would inherit God's blessings.

Based on these points, some scholars argue that Surah 21 verse 105 is a confirmation of the promise that God made to Abraham in the Torah. They believe that this promise will be fulfilled in the future, when Muslims will inherit the land of Canaan as God's righteous servants.

There are a number of ways to explain this argument. One way is to see it as a literal interpretation of the Quran. According to this interpretation, the land promised to Abraham in the Torah is the same land that is mentioned in Surah 21 verse 71 and 21 verse 105. In this case, the argument is that the promise will be fulfilled in the future, when Muslims will inherit the land of Canaan, namely modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

Another way to explain this argument is to see it as a more symbolic interpretation. According to this interpretation, the land promised to Abraham is not a specific piece of land, but rather a state of being. In this case, the argument is that the promise will be fulfilled in the future, when Muslims will live in a state of peace and prosperity.

Ultimately, the interpretation of Surah 21 verse 105 is a matter of faith. There is no definitive answer to the question of whether or not the land promised to Abraham will be inherited by Muslims. However, the argument that Surah 21 verse 105 is related to Surah 21 verse 71 is a valid one that is supported by the text of the Quran.