Theological Connections Between the Sacred Land of Sham in Islam and the Promised Land in the Torah

Genesis 15:18

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

What is the theological connection between the sacred land of Sham in Islam and the promised land referenced in the Torah, Genesis 15, verse 18?

The sacred land of Sham (often referred to as Greater Syria, encompassing modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine) holds significant theological importance in Islam, and there are interesting connections to the promised land referenced in Genesis 15, verse 18, in the Torah and the Bible.

1. Sacred Land in Islam:

Sham in Islamic Tradition: Sham is considered a blessed and sacred region in Islamic tradition. It is frequently mentioned in Hadith literature and is associated with numerous prophets, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said that blessings are found in Sham and that it will be a place of safety and faith.

Historical Significance: Sham is home to many significant Islamic historical sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which is the third holiest site in Islam.

2. Promised Land in the Torah and the Bible:

Genesis 15, verse 18: In the Bible, Genesis 15, verse 18, states, "On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, 'To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.'" This covenant is seen as the promise of a specific territory to the descendants of Abraham.

Geographical Scope: The land promised in Genesis is often understood to encompass parts of modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, which overlaps significantly with the region known as Sham.

3. Theological Connections:
Common Ancestry: Both Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions trace their spiritual lineage to Abraham (Ibrahim in Islam), making the lands associated with him significant in both religions.

Shared Sacred Geography: The overlapping geographical regions underscore a shared sacred geography, with both traditions venerating places like Jerusalem and considering them central to their faith narratives.

Prophetic Tradition: In Islam, many of the prophets who are also revered in Judaism and Christianity are believed to have lived or traveled through Sham, further intertwining the religious significance of the region.

4. Interfaith Perspectives:
Covenantal Promises: The concept of a promised land is a foundational element in Judaism and Christianity, while Islam emphasizes the sanctity and blessing of the land of Sham. Both perspectives highlight the importance of the region in God's plan for humanity.

Spiritual Significance: For Muslims, Sham is seen as a land of great spiritual significance, while for Jews and Christians, the promised land represents the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham.

In summary, the sacred land of Sham in Islam and the promised land referenced in Genesis 15, verse 18, share deep theological connections rooted in the common ancestry of Abraham, the overlapping sacred geography, and the profound spiritual significance attributed to these regions in both Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions.

Reexamining the Abrahamic Covenant: Ishmael's Primacy in Islamic Tradition


Did Abraham, Isaac and Jacob know about Mount Sinai and its sacredness?

The biblical accounts suggest that Mount Sinai and its sacredness were not known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The significance sacred of Mount Sinai is primarily associated with the story of Moses and the Israelites' liberation from Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus. However, it's important to note that beliefs and interpretations may vary among different religious traditions.

The belief that the Abrahamic covenant was fulfilled through Ishmael rather than Isaac, including the promise of land from the Nile to the Euphrates and the blessing to all nations through Abraham’s seed, is held by some, particularly within Islamic tradition. Here’s a more detailed articulation of their argument:

Ishmael and the Covenant.

1. Ishmael as the Firstborn: Supporters of this view argue that Ishmael, being Abraham's firstborn son, was the original heir to the covenant. They emphasize that Ishmael was the first child of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian maidservant.

2. Sacrifice Narrative: They contend that the narrative of Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son originally referred to Ishmael, not Isaac. This is based on the belief that ancient scriptures were altered by Israelite scribes to emphasize Isaac's role.

3. Blessing and Land Promise: The promise of land from the Nile to the Euphrates and the blessing to all nations is seen as applying to Ishmael’s descendants. Islamic tradition views Ishmael as an ancestor of the Arab peoples, and thus sees the fulfillment of these promises through the Islamic Hajj and in the rise of Islamic civilization.

Scriptural Alteration Argument.

1. Scribal Changes: They argue that ancient Israelite scribes altered the scriptures to shift the focus from Ishmael to Isaac. This was done to establish a theological foundation for the Israelites' claim to the land and their unique covenantal relationship with God.

2. Evidence from Quranic Texts: The Quran refers to the story of Abraham and his son, implying that Ishmael was the one to be sacrificed. This, combined with historical accounts and interpretations, is used to argue for the primacy of Ishmael in the covenantal promises.

The connection between Islam and the land that God promised to Abraham in the Torah

Genesis 15, verse 18 is a specific verse in the Bible, which is part of the book of Genesis in the Old Testament. It describes a covenant that God made with Abraham, promising him and his descendants land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates River.

Did the establishment of Islam as the religion of Abraham in the Middle East or the Levant fulfill the promise of God to Abraham that his descendants through Ishmael would inherit the land from the border of Egypt to the Euphrates River as mentioned in the Torah or Genesis 15, verse 18? Islamic scholars assert that the ancient scribes may have manipulated the Torah to favor Isaac instead of Ishmael. How do they present their argument?
Islamic scholars argue that the establishment of Islam in the Middle East and Levant region did fulfill God's promise to Abraham regarding Ishmael's descendants. They point out that Islam spread rapidly across this area in the 7th-8th centuries, bringing monotheistic worship of the God of Abraham to millions.

It is asserted that the ancient scribes who wrote the Torah may have altered the stories to show preference for Isaac's descendants over Ishmael's. They suggest that this bias may have been influenced by socio-political factors, such as the dominance of the Israelite tribes, which led to the emphasis on Isaac's descendants in the biblical account.
Historically, the Arab-Islamic Caliphates after the rise of Islam in the 7th century did indeed conquer and control territories extending from Egypt to the Euphrates River, which matches the geographical extent of the land mentioned in Genesis 15, verse 18. This has led some to draw parallels between the spread of Islam and the fulfillment of the promise to Ishmael’s descendants.

From an Islamic theological perspective, the establishment of Islam in the Middle East and the Levant is seen as the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, as it recognizes and upholds the significance of Ishmael's lineage.
Islamic scholars argue that both Isaac and Ishmael are equally revered as prophets, and that their respective lineages are part of God's overarching plan for humanity, with Hebrew prophets paving the way for the coming of Muhammad, the last prophet.

In summary, Islamic scholars argue that:

1. The promise made to Abraham about his descendants inheriting the land could have been fulfilled through Ishmael.

2. The Torah might have been altered over time to give greater emphasis to Isaac’s lineage and downplay Ishmael’s role.

3. The rise of Islam and the influence of the descendants of Ishmael (through Prophet Muhammad) is seen as a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.

4. The spread of Islam and its dominance in the Middle East aligns with the geographical scope of the promise made to Abraham in the Torah, reinforcing the idea that Ishmael’s descendants inherited this blessing.

These arguments reflect a broader theological debate regarding the interpretation of ancient texts and the legacy of Abraham’s two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, in the context of religious history.

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.