Interpreting Biblical Prophecies Through Islamic Scripture: The Fulfillment of Abrahamic Promises in the Torah

There are those who argue that the fulfillment of the prophecy in Genesis 12, verses 2 to 3 can be seen in the Islamic Hajj as mentioned in Surah 22, verse 27, of the Quran, while Genesis 15, verse 18, is believed to be fulfilled through the spread of Islam as stated in Surah 24, verse 55, of the Quran, and Genesis 22, verse 18, through the figure of Muhammad, as referenced in Surah 21, verse 107, of the Quran. It is believed Ishmael, rather than Isaac, was the son of a near sacrifice. How do they present their argument?

Those who argue that certain prophecies in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis) are fulfilled through Islam present their argument by drawing parallels between specific verses in the Bible and corresponding verses in the Quran. Here’s a detailed look at how they present their argument:

1. Genesis 12, verses 2 to 3, and the Islamic Hajj (Surah 22, verse 27):

Genesis 12, verses 2 to 3: God promises Abraham that his descendants will become a great nation and that all peoples on earth will be blessed through him.

Surah 22, verse 27: This verse in the Quran commands Abraham to proclaim the pilgrimage (Hajj) to all humanity, promising that people will come to it from every distant place.

Argument: Proponents argue that the fulfillment of the prophecy in Genesis 12, verses 2 to 3 can be seen in the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), which attracts millions of Muslims from around the world, thus becoming a significant gathering of Abraham’s spiritual descendants and a blessing to all nations.

2. Genesis 15, verse 18, and the spread of Islam (Surah 24, verse 55):

Genesis 15, verse 18: God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising his descendants land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates.

Surah 24, verse 55: This verse states that God has promised those who believe and do good deeds that they will be made successors on the earth, establish their religion, and replace their fear with security.

Argument: They argue that the spread of Islam and the establishment of Muslim rule across vast territories, including the lands mentioned in Genesis 15, verse 18, is a fulfillment of this biblical promise. The spread of Islam is seen as the realization of the divine promise to give Abraham’s descendants through Ishmael dominion and establish a lasting religious legacy.

3. Genesis 22, verse 18 and the figure of Muhammad (Surah 21, verse 107):

Genesis 22, verse 18: God tells Abraham that through his offspring all nations on earth will be blessed because he obeyed God.

Surah 21, verse 107: This verse refers to Muhammad as a mercy to all the worlds.

Argument: The argument here is that Muhammad, considered a descendant of Abraham through Ishmael, fulfills the promise that all nations will be blessed through Abraham’s offspring. The message of Islam brought by Muhammad is seen as a universal blessing, aligning with the biblical prophecy.

4. The near sacrifice of Ishmael rather than Isaac:

Islamic tradition: It holds that it was Ishmael, not Isaac, whom Abraham was asked to sacrifice. This belief is based on interpretations of Quranic verses and Hadith (prophetic traditions).

Genesis 22: The Bible mentions Isaac as the son who was to be sacrificed.

Argument: Those presenting this viewpoint argue that the Quranic narrative and Islamic tradition correct or clarify the identity of the son in the near-sacrifice story, suggesting that Ishmael was the intended sacrifice. This reinforces the connection between Abraham’s covenant and the lineage through Ishmael, leading to the rise of Islam and the prophetic mission of Muhammad.

In summary, these arguments are based on interpreting and correlating specific biblical prophecies with Quranic revelations and historical events in Islam. This perspective emphasizes the continuity and fulfillment of Abrahamic promises through the spread and practices of Islam, with a particular focus on the significance of Ishmael and his descendants.

Abraham’s Sacrifice: An Islamic Perspective on Potential Scribal Interpolation in Genesis 22

Micah 6, verse 7, reads:

“Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?“

Jeremiah 8, verse 8, reads:

“'How can you say, “We are wise, for we have the law of the Lord,” when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?“
Several Islamic scholars believe Micah 6, verse 7, and Jeremiah 8, verse 8, may reflect a scribal interpolation of Isaac's name in Genesis 22. The son who was nearly sacrificed is believed to have been Ishmael, not Isaac. What is the articulation of their argument?

The argument presented by some Islamic scholars regarding the potential scribal interpolation of Isaac's name in Genesis 22 is based on several key points:

1. Quranic perspective: The Quran mentions the story of Abraham being commanded to sacrifice his son but does not explicitly name the son. Islamic tradition generally holds that it was Ishmael, not Isaac, who was to be sacrificed.

2. Textual analysis of Micah 6, verse 7: This verse states, "Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" Some Islamic scholars interpret this as a reference to the sacrifice story and argue that since Ishmael was Abraham's firstborn, this verse supports the idea that Ishmael was the intended sacrifice.

3. Interpretation of Jeremiah 8, verse 8: This verse reads, "How can you say, 'We are wise, for we have the law of the Lord,' when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?" Islamic scholars use this to suggest that scribes may have altered biblical texts, potentially including the story of Abraham's sacrifice.

4. Historical context: Some scholars suggest that the emphasis on Isaac in Jewish traditions may have led to a gradual change in the story, resulting in Isaac's name being added to the biblical narrative.

5. Linguistic analysis: Some scholars examine the original Hebrew text and argue that there are inconsistencies or ambiguities that could support the idea of later interpolation.

6. Theological implications: The argument often ties into broader Islamic theological perspectives on the role and significance of Ishmael in the Abrahamic tradition.

It is crucial to emphasize that this perspective is not universally embraced by scholars of comparative religion, and it is just one interpretation within a multifaceted interfaith discussion. The argument relies heavily on interpretation and inference, as there is no direct textual evidence of interpolation in the Genesis account itself.

This perspective challenges traditional Jewish and Christian understandings of the text and highlights the different ways sacred texts can be interpreted across religious traditions.

Islam is a restored religion of Abraham

Islam is considered as a restored religion of Abraham due to Judaism corrupting their text as regards a son whom Abraham was commanded to sacrifice. At the same time, Christianity corrupted their scripture concerning the oneness of God and the rite of circumcision. What is the explanation for this?

The notion of Islam as a "restored" religion that corrects perceived corruptions in Judaism and Christianity is a perspective rooted in Islamic teachings. Here is a brief explanation of this viewpoint:

1. Abraham's Sacrifice: Both the Bible and the Quran recount a story where Abraham is commanded by God to sacrifice his son. In the Bible, the son is explicitly named as Isaac, while in the Quran, the son's name is not mentioned. However, many Islamic traditions and scholars identify him as Ishmael (Isma'il). The idea is that the story was changed in Jewish traditions to favor Isaac, who is an ancestor of the Israelites, over Ishmael, who is traditionally considered the ancestor of the Arabs. Therefore, from this Islamic viewpoint, the original account of Abraham's test involving Ishmael was corrupted or altered in Jewish scriptures.

2. Oneness of God (Tawhid): One of the central tenets of Islam is the strict monotheism known as Tawhid. According to Islamic teachings, previous scriptures (like the Bible) originally conveyed this pure monotheism, but were later altered. For example, the Christian concept of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is seen in Islam as a deviation from the original teachings about the oneness of God. The Quran often emphasizes the oneness of God and rejects any form of association with Him.

3. Rite of Circumcision: Circumcision is an Abrahamic rite, practiced by Jews, Muslims, and some Christian denominations. While the Quran doesn't explicitly command circumcision, it is a widely practiced Sunnah (tradition) based on the teachings and actions of Prophet Muhammad. From the Islamic perspective, the discontinuation of this practice by many Christian groups is seen as a deviation from the original Abrahamic tradition.

In summary, from the Islamic viewpoint, the Quran "corrects" or "restores" what are believed to be alterations or corruptions in previous scriptures. This concept plays a fundamental role in how Muslims understand the relationship between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. However, it's worth noting that Jewish and Christian scholars have their own perspectives and beliefs about their scriptures, which differ from the Islamic view.

The Unnamed Son of Abraham's Sacrifice in the Quran

In the Quran, the specific name of the son to be sacrificed by Abraham is not mentioned. Thus it signifies that the name of Isaac in Genesis 22, verse 2, is nothing but a scribal interpolation. What is the explanation for this argument?

The argument that the Quran's omission of the specific name of the son to be sacrificed by Abraham signifies that the name of Isaac in Genesis 22, verse 2, is a scribal interpolation is a viewpoint held by some scholars, but it is not universally accepted within the field of biblical studies or Islamic theology. This argument is based on textual and historical analysis and often arises in discussions about the relationship between the Quran and the Bible.

Here's a brief overview of the argument:

1. Quranic account: In the Quran, the story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son is mentioned in Surah As Saffat (Chapter 37), but the specific name of the son is not provided. This omission has led some scholars to argue that the Quran intentionally avoids naming the son to prevent any confusion or dispute regarding the identity of the son.

2. Biblical account: In the Book of Genesis (Genesis 22, verse 2), the son to be sacrificed is identified as Isaac. This is a well-known account in both Jewish and Christian traditions.

3. Argument: Some scholars propose that the Quranic omission of the son's name suggests that the original, unaltered biblical account did not specify the son's name, and the name Isaac was added later through scribal interpolation in the biblical text.

4. Quranic Interpretation:
The Quranic narrative does not explicitly name the son of the near sacrifice, but Islamic tradition and many Muslim scholars have historically identified him as Ishmael. This belief is supported by the chronological events in the Quran, indicating that the promise of Isaac's birth was made after the account of sacrifice, suggesting that Ishmael was the likely candidate for sacrifice.

It's important to note that this argument is not universally accepted, and there is ongoing debate among scholars regarding the relationship between the Quran and the Bible. Islamic tradition generally does not delve into such textual criticism but rather focuses on the theological and moral aspects of the story.