📜 Abraham, History, and Identity: Why Judaism and Islam Relate Differently to the Patriarch

💫 Introduction

Among the three great Abrahamic religions, all trace their spiritual lineage to Abraham. Yet the way each tradition relates to Abraham differs profoundly. A recurring argument — especially in comparative theological discourse — claims that Judaism is more connected to its historical experience, whereas Islam is more directly connected to the person and legacy of Abraham. This distinction becomes evident when comparing the centrality of the Exodus and Sinai in Judaism with the centrality of Hajj and the Abraham–Ishmael narrative in Islam.

This article explores the theological framework behind this argument, demonstrating how sacred history, covenantal identity, and ritual practices shape the role of Abraham in each tradition.

⸻

♦️ 1. Judaism: A Religion Rooted in Communal History and Covenant

1.1 Abraham as the Patriarch, but Sinai as the Core

Judaism undeniably venerates Abraham as the patriarch (Genesis 12–25). However, Jewish religious identity is shaped less by Abraham personally and more by Israel’s collective historical journey, particularly:

• The Exodus from Egypt

• The Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai

• The Sinai Covenant (Brit Sinai)

• The formation of Israel as a holy nation (Exodus 19:6)

Judaism’s primary self-definition is not “the children of Abraham,” but rather “the people who stood at Sinai.”

The Rabbis famously state:

“Our covenant is not through Abraham alone, but through the Torah given to all Israel at Sinai.”

This is why the central liturgical memory in Judaism is not Abraham’s tests but the Exodus:

• The Passover (Pesach) festival

• The Sabbath (a memorial of liberation)

• Daily prayers constantly invoking “the God who brought you out of Egypt”

1.2 Covenant Through Isaac and Jacob

Judaism’s theological architecture rests on the Sinai Covenant and the ancestral chain:

Abraham → Isaac → Jacob → the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Thus, covenantal continuity is traced ethnically and historically, not ritually through reenactments of Abraham’s life. Abraham is a revered ancestor — but the religion’s heart is the law (Torah) and the national history of Israel.

⸻

♦️ 2. Islam: Abraham as the Living Ritual and Spiritual Model

2.1 Islam Calls Itself “The Religion of Abraham” (Millat Ibrāhīm)

The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes Abraham more than any other patriarch:

• “Follow the religion of Abraham” (Qur’an 3:95)

• Abraham is called ḥanīf, a pure monotheist (Qur’an 16:120)

Abraham is not just a historical patriarch — he is the archetype of submission (islām).

2.2 Abraham and Ishmael in the Kaaba and Hajj

Islam intricately weaves the story of Abraham into the lives of its believers through the rituals performed during Hajj.

Pilgrims reenact key events, such as the ṭawāf around the Kaaba, which honors the moment Abraham and Ishmael established its foundations (Qur'an 2:127). The sa‘y between Ṣafā and Marwah represents Hajar's search for water, while drinking from Zamzam recalls the miracle provided for baby Ishmael.

Standing at ‘Arafah signifies Abraham's devotion, and the sacrifice during ‘Eid al-Adha commemorates his willingness to obey God by offering his firstborn son. Lastly, the stoning of the Jamarāt symbolizes Abraham's rejection of Satan's temptations.

Thus, while Judaism remembers Abraham theologically, Islam reenacts Abraham ritually.

2.3 Ishmael’s Role Restored

In the Islamic narrative, Ishmael is not marginal but central:

• He helps Abraham build the Kaaba.

• He is linked to the sacred sanctuary (Q 2:125–129).

• He is believed to be the son whom Abraham was commanded to sacrifice, demonstrating ultimate submission to God.

• He is part of the prophetic lineage leading to Muhammad ﷺ.

Thus, Islam’s living rituals restore Abraham and Ishmael to the center of religious consciousness.

⸻

♦️ 3. Why the Two Traditions Differ

3.1 Judaism: History as Identity

Judaism emerged as a national–historical covenant. Its sacred memory is:

• Liberation from Egypt

• Revelation at Sinai

• Life under the Torah

• The historical survival of Israel

Thus, Jewish identity is shaped by collective memory, not primarily by reenacting the life of Abraham.

3.2 Islam: Abraham as the Universal Prototype

Islam presents itself as:

the restoration of Abraham’s original monotheism

(Qur’an 3:67)

Islam views Abraham as:

• the spiritual father of all who submit to God,

• the builder of the Kaaba (house of God),

• the model for rituals of pilgrimage, sacrifice, and prayer.

Therefore, Islam sees Abraham as the living foundation of its religious practice.

3.3 Two Different Theological Trajectories

• Judaism: A religion of a people and their historical covenant

• Islam: A religion of a prophet and his universal monotheism

Both honor Abraham, but the mechanisms of memory differ:

• Judaism emphasizes the journey of Israel.

• Islam emphasizes the journey of Abraham.

⸻

🌟 4. Conclusion

The claim that Judaism is more connected to its history while Islam is more connected to the person of Abraham reflects deep theological truths:

• Judaism’s heart is Sinai, the covenant of the Torah and the historical identity of Israel.

• Islam’s heart is Abraham, whose life is woven into its rituals, theology, and annual pilgrimage.

Both traditions preserve Abraham’s legacy — but Islam experiences Abraham through ritual reenactment, while Judaism remembers him through narrative and covenantal ancestry.

Thus, the argument is not about superiority, but about different religious architectures:

one built on historical memory, the other on prophetic example and ritual continuity.

— Azahari Hassim

Founder, The World of Abrahamic Theology