Challenge for the Inheritance: A Comparative Study of the Sacrifice of Abraham’s Son according to Jewish, Christian and Islamic Traditions

Subject Areas : Christianity

محمدرضا وصفی ¹ , سید روح اله شفیعی ²

1 - ندارد
2 - ندارد

Received: 2012-12-26 Accepted : 2013-01-30 Published : 2012-03-20

Keywords: Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, sacrifice, Inheritance,

Abstract :

Abraham is the father of the Semitic religions, i.e. Judaism, Christianityand Islam. According to the sacred books of these religions Godcommands Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice. However, the trueidentity of this son is a matter of debate, Jews and Christians refer toIsaac while Muslims mention Ishmael. But the question is what isreally important in this story? The true identity of the son or the faith ofAbraham and his loyalty to God’s decree? If the story is told fordrawing people’s attention to Abraham’s faith and persuading them tofallow his way, why such an argument has emerged? In an attempt toanswer this question present article firstly presents a comparativeaccount of the story according to the Bible and Qur’an. Then, itexplains the role of “Inheritance” as the key feature of this disputation.Finally by a historical survey of various interpretations we come to theconclusion that these traditions think of the son offered as a sacrifice asthe true heir to Abraham.