Paul's viewpoint and the Islamic perspective on the Torah

Could you provide a comparison between Paul's viewpoint and the Islamic perspective on the Torah?

Paul's Viewpoint:

Paul, a prominent figure in early Christianity, believed that the Torah, or the Jewish law, was no longer necessary for salvation.

He taught that faith in Jesus Christ was the new way to salvation, and that following the Torah was no longer required for believers.

He emphasized the idea of grace and the freedom from the strict adherence to the Jewish law.

Islamic Perspective:

In Islam, the Torah is considered to be a holy book revealed by God to Prophet Moses, and is one of the four major sacred scriptures, along with the Quran, the Gospel, and the Psalms.

Muslims believe in the authenticity and divine origin of the Torah, but also believe that it has been altered over time. They believe that the teachings in the Torah have been superseded by the final revelation of the Quran, which Muslims are required to follow.

Comparison:

Paul's viewpoint and the Islamic perspective on the Torah differ significantly. While Paul advocated for the freedom from the Torah and its laws, the Islamic perspective reveres the Torah as a divine scripture, but also believes in the progressive revelation of the Quran.

Muslims do not see the Torah as obsolete, but rather as a preceding revelation that has been preserved, with its core teachings reaffirmed in the Quran.

Is the gospel of Paul at odds with the teaching of Jesus?

The question of whether the teachings of Paul (often found in his letters, or epistles, in the New Testament) are at odds with the teachings of Jesus is a topic of much discussion among theologians, historians, and biblical scholars. Here's a brief overview:

1. Different Contexts: Jesus' teachings, as recorded in the Gospels, were directed primarily at a Jewish audience in a specific socio-political context. Paul, on the other hand, was writing to specific church communities, many of which were predominantly Gentile with their own sets of issues and challenges. This led to differences in emphasis and approach.

2. Salvation Through Faith: One of the most debated differences centers on the concept of salvation. Paul emphasized justification through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:28), while Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God and the necessity of righteous living. However, this doesn’t mean they are necessarily at odds; Paul also emphasized the importance of love and living a moral life (Galatians 5:22 - 23).

3. Law and Grace: Jesus often discussed the Jewish Law (or Torah) and its interpretation (for example, the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 - 7). Paul, on the other hand, wrote extensively on the relationship between the Law and grace, particularly for Gentiles who were not under the Jewish Law. Some interpret Paul as rejecting the Law, but others see him as reinterpreting its role in light of the Gospel.

4. Consistency on Core Beliefs: On core beliefs such as the resurrection of Jesus, the importance of love, and the belief in one God, Paul and Jesus are consistent. For instance, both emphasize love as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37 - 39; 1 Corinthians 13).

5. Interpretation Matters: How one interprets certain passages can influence how they perceive potential conflicts or harmonies. Some scholars believe that the differences between Jesus and Paul are more about emphasis than contradiction.

6. Evolution of Theology: Some argue that Paul developed or expanded on the teachings of Jesus in a way that made them accessible to a Gentile audience, thus playing a foundational role in the spread of Christianity beyond its Jewish roots.
It's also important to note that the letters attributed to Paul were some of the earliest Christian writings, predating the writing of the Gospels. Given this, some argue that Paul's letters provide a lens through which the Gospel writers, decades later, understood and portrayed the teachings of Jesus.

In summary, while there are differences in emphasis and approach between Jesus' teachings in the Gospels and Paul's epistles, whether they are "at odds" is a matter of interpretation. Many Christians see them as complementary, with each providing insights into the other.

Ishmael’s Story and Scriptural Alterations in The Torah: Islamic Perspectives

Genesis 21, verses 9 to 10, reads:

But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”

Genesis 22, verse 2, reads:

Then God said, “Take your son , your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you. ”

Here is how the Jewish scribe manipulated Ishmael’s story:

1. The age of Ishmael at the time of his departure from Abraham’s house.

2. Abraham’s son, who was offered as a sacrifice.

Some Islamic scholars suspect that the scribes tampered with the story of Hagar and Ishmael in the Torah. It is argued that Genesis 21, verses 9 to 10, may have been added later because Ishmael and Hagar had already left Abraham’s house long before Isaac was born, with Ishmael being an infant according to Islamic tradition.

Similarly, some question whether Genesis 22, verse 2, could refer to Ishmael, since Isaac had never been Abraham’s only son, whereas Ishmael had been for fourteen years before Isaac was born. How is this Islamic viewpoint presented?

The Islamic perspective on the stories of Hagar, Ishmael, and Isaac, as presented in the Torah, differs significantly from the Jewish and Christian narratives. These differences have led some Islamic scholars to question the authenticity of certain Biblical passages, suggesting possible later additions or alterations.

In the Islamic tradition, Hagar and Ishmael’s story is seen through a different lens compared to the Biblical account. According to Islamic belief, Ishmael was an infant when he and his mother Hagar were left in the desert, which contrasts with the Biblical narrative where Ishmael is depicted as a young boy during this event. Some Islamic scholars argue that certain verses in Genesis, such as Genesis 21:9-10, might have been added later, as they imply that Ishmael was older and capable of mocking Isaac, which would not align with the Islamic timeline where Ishmael had already left before Isaac’s birth.

The question of who was the intended son of sacrifice is another point of divergence. In the Quran, it is generally believed that Ishmael was the son whom Abraham was commanded to sacrifice, whereas the Bible identifies Isaac as the intended sacrifice. This discrepancy has led some Islamic scholars to suggest that Genesis 22, verse 2, which refers to Isaac as Abraham’s “only son,” might be inaccurate, as Ishmael was Abraham’s firstborn and was his only son for fourteen years before Isaac’s birth. The argument is that the description of Isaac as the “only son” could have been a later addition to emphasize Isaac’s significance in the Jewish tradition.

Islamic narratives emphasize the significance of Ishmael and his descendants, linking them to the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad. The Islamic tradition holds that Abraham and Ishmael together built the Kaaba in Mecca, a central element in Islamic faith, which is not mentioned in the Bible. The Quran and Islamic teachings often highlight the spiritual and prophetic roles of both Ishmael and Isaac, but with a focus on Ishmael’s role in the lineage leading to Islam.

Conclusion

The Islamic viewpoint on the story of Hagar and Ishmael in the Torah is characterized by skepticism towards the authenticity of certain verses. Islamic scholars argue that the timeline and events described in the Torah may have been altered, and that Ishmael may have been the son referred to in Genesis 22:2 instead of Isaac.

The Significance of Hajj in Islam: Reconnecting with the Abrahamic Legacy Through the Story of Ishmael

There is an argument among scholars regarding the significance of Hajj in Islam as a restored religion tracing back to Abraham. It is posited that Ishmael was exiled as a young child well before the birth of Isaac, and that Ishmael, rather than Isaac, was the intended sacrifice. How is this argument articulated?

The argument regarding the significance of Hajj in Islam as a restored religion tracing back to Abraham, and the associated narrative involving Ishmael and Isaac, is articulated through several key points:

1. Lineage and Prophetic Tradition:

In Islamic tradition, Hajj is deeply connected to the figure of Abraham (Ibrahim). Muslims believe that Abraham, along with his son Ishmael (Ismail), played a foundational role in establishing the rites of Hajj. The Kaaba, the central structure around which Hajj is performed, is believed to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael.

2. The Story of Ishmael and Isaac:

Exile of Ishmael: According to Islamic narratives, long before Isaac was born, Ishmael and his mother Hagar were settled by Abraham in the desert of Mecca, which is where the Zamzam well miraculously appeared to sustain both of Hagar and her infant son Ishmael. This event is commemorated during the Hajj.

The Sacrifice: Islamic tradition holds that it was Ishmael, not Isaac, who was the intended sacrifice. This is based on interpretations of the Quran, specifically Surah 37, verses 100 to 113, where it is generally understood that the son who was to be sacrificed was Ishmael. According to the sequence of events in the Quran, the promise of Isaac’s birth comes after the story of sacrifice, indicating that Ishmael is the son in question.

This contrasts with the Judeo-Christian tradition, which identifies Isaac as the intended sacrifice.

3. Symbolic Acts of Hajj: The rites of Hajj include reenactments and commemorations of events from the lives of Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael. For instance:

The Sa’i, which involves walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, commemorates Hagar’s desperate search for water for her infant son Ishmael.

The stoning of the Jamarat represents Abraham’s rejection of Satan’s temptation, which is believed to have occurred when he was about to sacrifice Ishmael.

4. Restoration of Abrahamic Monotheism:

Islam views itself as a continuation and restoration of the pure monotheistic faith of Abraham. The Hajj serves as a means to reconnect with the Abrahamic legacy, emphasizing monotheism, obedience to God, and the unity of the Muslim community.

In summary, the argument hinges on the belief that Ishmael, rather than Isaac, was central to the narrative of sacrifice and that the rites of Hajj are rooted in the events of Abraham’s life as they unfolded in Mecca with Ishmael. This perspective underscores the significance of Hajj in Islam and its connection to Abraham as a pivotal prophet in the monotheistic tradition.