The Tests of Abraham: Interpretation of ‘Certain Words’ in Surah 2:124

In Surah 2, verse 124 of the Quran, God says to Abraham, "And when his Lord tried 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.”

What is the interpretation of “the certain words” (بِكَلِمَٰتٍ) in Surah 2, verse 124, of the Quran according to the Quranic commentators? Can you provide a list of those “certain words”?

The interpretation of "the certain words" (بِكَلِمَٰتٍ) in this verse according to Quranic commentators refers to the tests and commands that God gave to Abraham. These tests included leaving his family in a barren land, sacrificing his son Ishmael, rebuilding the Kaaba, and instituting the rite of circumcision.

Some of the specific "certain words" mentioned by Quranic commentators include:

1. Leaving his family in a barren land: God commanded Abraham to leave his wife Hagar and their infant son Ishmael in the desolate valley of Mecca.

2. Sacrificing his son Ishmael: God tested Abraham's devotion by commanding him to sacrifice his beloved son Ishmael. However, at the last moment, God provided a ram as a substitute for sacrifice.

3. Rebuilding the Kaaba: After leaving Hagar and Ishmael in Mecca, Abraham was instructed by God to rebuild the Kaaba as a place of worship for monotheism.

4. The rite of circumcision: Circumcision is a significant command given to Abraham as a sign of the covenant between God and his followers. It remains a practice among his spiritual descendants, particularly in Islam, symbolizing purification and faithfulness to God's covenant.

These "certain words" (بِكَلِمَٰتٍ) were tests of faith and obedience for Abraham, which he successfully fulfilled, demonstrating his unwavering devotion to God.

Abrahamic covenant: Isaac or Ishmael from a Quranic perspective

In Surah 2, verse 124 of the Quran, it is stated that God made a covenant with Abraham through Ishmael instead of Isaac, and it is implied that Jewish scribes corrupted the Torah in favor of Isaac. How is this interpretation explained?
Surah 2, verses 124 to 125 reads:

“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 pledge (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 Quran clearly states in Surah 2, verse 124 that God made a covenant with Abraham through his son Ishmael, not Isaac. This contradicts the Biblical account which portrays Isaac as the son who was to inherit the covenant from Abraham.

The Quran suggests the Torah (the first five books of the Bible containing the story of Abraham and his sons) was corrupted by Jewish scribes who altered the narrative to favor Isaac over Ishmael. Evidence for this includes:

The Bible itself initially portrays Ishmael as the firstborn and heir before contradicting itself later by calling Isaac the "only son".
Islamic sources consistently name Ishmael as the son taken by Abraham for the intended sacrifice, while the Bible names Isaac.

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 is partly based on the sequence of events in the Quran, which suggests that the promise of Isaac's birth came after the sacrifice narrative, implying Ishmael was the son involved.

The Quran establishes Ishmael's lineage as the one that inherits the covenant and religious practices like the Kaaba in Mecca, contradicting the Biblical focus on Isaac's descendants (the Israelites).

So according to the Quran and Islamic tradition, the Biblical account was distorted to displace Ishmael's status as Abraham's heir in favor of Isaac, likely due to Jewish scribes' bias towards the Israelite lineage.

The Quran asserts that it rectifies this by confirming Ishmael as the son who carried on Abraham's legacy in accordance with the original divine covenant, while the divine choice of the ancient Israelites and their Hebrew prophets before the arrival of Islam is intended to prepare the way for Muhammad, the final Prophet.

Cave of Machpelah

Macpelah, also known as the Cave of Machpelah, is a significant archaeological and historical site located in Hebron, in the West Bank. According to the Hebrew Bible, it is the burial place of the patriarch Abraham, his wife Sarah, and other members of their family, including Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah.

The site is traditionally believed to be the first piece of land purchased by Abraham in the Promised Land, as described in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 23). The cave and the surrounding field were bought from Ephron the Hittite, making it a notable location in Jewish history.

The Cave of Machpelah is also significant in Islamic tradition, where it is associated with the prophets Abraham (Ibrahim), Isaac (Ishaq), and Jacob (Yaqub). The site is marked by a large structure known as the Ibrahimi Mosque, which is a place of worship for both Muslims and Jews, although access to the site is often a point of contention due to the political situation in the region.

The Cave of Machpelah remains a site of pilgrimage and reverence for many, reflecting its deep historical and religious significance.

The Symbolism of Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)

What is Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Adha is the “Feast of the Sacrifice,” commemorating Abraham’s devotion to God, when he intended to sacrifice his son and God provided a lamb to sacrifice instead. It follows the Hajj rituals for pilgrims in Mecca, but is celebrated by all Muslims.

Certain scholars contend that Eid Al Adha in Islam suggests a scribal interpolation in the Torah concerning the son intended for near sacrifice, positing that it is Ishmael rather than Isaac. How is their argument articulated?

Some Islamic scholars argue that Eid al-Adha in Islam points to a scribal interpolation in the Torah regarding which son Abraham was commanded to sacrifice. Their argument for scribal interpolation is articulated as follows:

Islamic tradition holds that it was Ishmael, not Isaac, whom Abraham was commanded to sacrifice. This belief forms the basis for the celebration of Eid al-Adha, one of the most important festivals in Islam.

Scholars who support this view present several arguments:

1. Primacy of Ishmael: They argue that Ishmael, being Abraham's firstborn son, was the original heir to the covenant and thus the logical choice for such a significant test of faith.

2. Quranic Account: The Quran's narrative of the sacrifice does not explicitly name the son, but contextual evidence and Islamic tradition point to Ishmael. This interpretation stems from the chronological events presented in the Quran, indicating that the promise of Isaac's birth occurred after the narrative of the sacrifice, thereby suggesting that Ishmael was the son mentioned in that context.

3. Historical Context: These scholars suggest that ancient Israelite scribes may have altered the original text to emphasize Isaac's role, shifting the focus away from Ishmael to establish a stronger theological foundation for Israelite claims.

4. Geographical Inconsistencies: They point out that the biblical account mentions Mount Moriah, while Islamic tradition places the event near Mecca, where Ishmael and Hagar settled.

5. Linguistic Analysis: Some argue that careful examination of the original Hebrew text reveals inconsistencies that suggest later editing.

If this interpretation is accepted, it would have significant implications:

It would challenge the traditional Jewish and Christian understanding of the Abrahamic covenant.
It would support the Islamic view of Ishmael as a central figure in the Abrahamic narrative.
It would reinforce the Islamic belief in the Quran as a correction to earlier scriptures.