Visits: 8
Land of Israel and Jewish heritage
A series from the book written by Naveed Anjum
Isaac was the blessed one
As I mentioned earlier, I will follow the Qur’an and Islamic traditions in all matters. Since Muslims accept the Qur’an and Islamic resources, I will discuss the importance of Isaac from Islamic resources. Many Muslims, under Arab influence, try hard to make Ishmael superior; however, I will demonstrate by the Qur’an that Isaac was not inferior to Ishmael. The problem of Jew-phobia did not exist in the days when the Qur’an was being revealed, especially in the outset of Madinian Islam when the Qibla was the same. At that time, Muslims and Jews prayed in the same direction—toward Jerusalem. Many Qur’anic verses discuss Isaac and Jacob as the best of the beings on Earth. The Qur’an mentions that Abraham had a craving for a righteous child and prayed to God for him. God’s answer was Isaac. The Qur’an mentions that Abraham prayed thus:
Please donate to
Israel The Legitimate State Thank you
“My Lord, bestow on me a righteous child!” (Qur’an, 37:100)
Thereupon, Angels brought good news to Abraham regarding the birth of Isaac:
“When they (angels) came in to him (Abraham), they said: ‘Peace.’ He replied: ‘Truly we are afraid of you.’ They said: ‘Do not be afraid. We bring you the good news of a boy of great knowledge.’” (Qur’an, 15:52-53)
Here as well:
“So We gave her (Sarah) the good news of Isaac, and beyond Isaac, Jacob.” (Qur’an, 11:71-72)
God reveals Prophet Isaac’s and Prophet Jacob’s superior moral qualities in the following verses:
“We purified their sincerity through sincere remembrance of the abode. In Our eyes, they are among the best of chosen men.” (Qur’an, 38:46-47)
Furthermore:
“And in addition to that, We gave him [Abraham] Isaac and Jacob and made both of them righteous. We made them leaders, guiding them by Our command, and revealed to them how to do good actions, perform prayer, and give alms. And they worshipped Us.” (Qur’an, 21:72-73
“We gave him [Abraham] the good news of Isaac, a Prophet, one of the righteous.” (Qur’an, 37:112)
(To be continued…)