Introduction:
Abraham is universally recognised as the patriarch of faith in both Christianity and Islam. According to the Bible, he is the father of Isaac through Sarah (Genesis 21:1–3), from whom the nation of Israel descended, leading to the birth of Christ and the establishment of the Christian faith (Matthew 1:1–2). He is also the father of Ishmael through Hagar (Genesis 16:15), who is regarded in Islamic tradition as the forefather of many Arab nations. Thus, Abraham stands as a central ancestral figure through whom both major world religions trace their spiritual and genealogical roots.
Who Isaac is.
Isaac is the son of Abraham and Sarah, born miraculously in their old age as a fulfilment of God’s promise. His name means “laughter”, reflecting Sarah’s response when told she would bear a child at 90 years old (Genesis 18:12–14). Isaac is the child of the covenant, through whom God’s promises to Abraham continued including the promise to make a great nation and to bless all nations through his descendants. He is the father of Esau and Jacob, and the grandfather of the twelve tribes of Israel. Isaac’s life represents faith, obedience, and the continuation of God’s redemptive plan, ultimately leading to Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah (Matthew 1:2; Romans 9:7).
Who Ishmael is.
Ishmael was the son of Abraham and Hagar. According to the Bible, Ishmael had twelve sons who became the founders of various tribes. These sons are often referred to as the twelve princes of Ishmael. They are:
- Nebaioth 2. Kedar 3. Adbeel 4. Mibsam 5. Mishma 6. Dumah
7. Massa 8. Hadad 9. Tema 10. Jetur 11. Naphish 12. Kedemah
These descendants are believed to have settled in various regions, forming tribes and communities.
The Quran contains verses that refer to Christians (referred to as Ahl al-Kitab, meaning “People of the Book”) and to previous scriptures, including the Torah and the Injil (Gospel), which Muslims believe were revealed by God before the Quran. While the Quran doesn’t directly instruct Muslims to “look up the Bible” as Christians understand it today, there are several passages that point to the Gospel and the Torah as containing divine guidance and light. Some of these have been interpreted by scholars to suggest that the earlier scriptures still hold value, particularly for confirming truth.
What are the Torah and the Injil?
- The Torah (Tawrat) refers to the revelation given by God to Prophet Moses (Musa). It is generally understood by both Jews and Muslims to be the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), also known as the Pentateuch. In Christian terms, it forms part of the Old Testament.
- The Injil is the Arabic word for the Gospel, believed by Muslims to be the revelation given by God to our Lord Jesus (Isa). However, Muslims do not consider the current four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) as the actual Injil but believe that the true Injil has been lost or altered over time. Christians, on the other hand, believe that the Gospels found in the New Testament are the true and inspired word of God.
Are they Christian books or the Bible?
- The Torah and the Injil are both parts of the Bible: The Torah is part of the Old Testament, shared by both Jews and Christians. while Injil, as understood in Islam as the Gospel, which is part of the New Testament.
Key references from the Quran that relate to Christians and the Bible:
1. Surah Yunus (10:94)
(Quran advising Muslims to consult the bible for things not found in Quaran)
“So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you.The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters.”
(Quran 10:94)
2. Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:46)
“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.”
(Quran 5:46)
This verse acknowledges that the Gospel (Injil) was revealed by God to Jesus, and that it contains “guidance and light”.
3. Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:47)
“Let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient.”
(Quran 5:47)
This verse instruct the Christians (People of the Gospel) to follow the teachings given to them that is, what is in the Gospel.It is often interpreted as indicating that earlier scriptures read by Jews and Christians can serve as confirmation for what is being revealed in the Quran.
4. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:136)
“Say, [O believers], ‘We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.'”
(Quran 2:136)
This verse places emphasis on unity among the revelations given to the various prophets, including Moses and Jesus, implying respect and continuity of divine message.
5. Surah Al-Imran (3:3)
“He has sent down upon you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.”
(Quran 3:3)
Again, the Torah and Gospel are affirmed as revelations from God.
Summary:
- The Bible (specifically the Torah and the Gospel) is acknowledged in the Quran as containing truth and guidance.
- Christians are referred to as People of the Book, and they are advised to judge by what is written in their scriptures.
- In Surah 10:94, Muhammad himself is directed to ask those who read the previous scriptures if he is in doubt.
While Muslims believe the Quran is the final revelation and supersedes previous scriptures, these verses show that the Quran points to the value of the earlier books which is the Bible which contradicts this believe.
Christians relationship with Ishmael
These can be understood in a few ways:
- Biblical Narrative: Ishmael is recognized in the Bible as the son of Abraham and Hagar, making him an important figure in the Abrahamic tradition. Christians see him as part of God’s broader plan, even though the covenant of blessing was specifically through Isaac, Abraham’s son with Sarah however many Muslims (Islam) know these but are see the Christians as their brothers.
- Spiritual Significance: In a spiritual sense, some Christians view the story of Ishmael and Isaac as a representation of faith and God’s promises. It emphasizes that God’s plans and blessings are not limited to one lineage but extend to all who follow Him. However to make heaven we must understand God’s condition that Jesus is the only way.
- Cultural and Historical Context: Ishmael is often considered an important figure in Islamic tradition as well, being regarded as an ancestor of the Arab people. This shared heritage between Christians, Jews, and Muslims highlights the interconnectedness of the Abrahamic faiths.
Comparison: Injil (Islam) vs. Gospels (Christianity)
| Aspect | Injil (Islamic View) | Gospels (Christian View) |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Injil (Arabic: الإنجيل) | The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John |
| Language of Revelation | Believed to be revealed in Aramaic or Hebrew | Written in Greek, based on oral Aramaic/Hebrew traditions |
| Given to | Prophet Isa (Jesus) directly | Written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, disciples or early Christians |
| Nature of Text | Considered a single, divinely revealed book to Jesus | Considered four historical accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings |
| Current Existence | Believed to be lost or altered; Quran corrects or supersedes it | Believed to be preserved and divinely inspired as part of the New Testament |
| Role in Faith | Acknowledged as one of the holy books (with the Torah, Psalms, Quran) | The foundation of Christian faith, revealing the Gospel (Good News) |
| Teachings | Believed to contain guidance, light, and prophecy of Muhammad (Quran 61:6) | Focuses on Jesus as the Son of God, Saviour, and the path to eternal life |
| Relationship to Quran | Quran is believed to confirm and supersede the Injil | Christians do not recognise the Quran as a continuation of the Gospels |
| Use by Followers | Muslims do not read the Gospels as scripture but accept Jesus as a prophet | Christians read the Four Gospels as the heart of the New Testament |
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