📜 The Prophethood of Muhammad vs. The Prophethood of the Israelites

🕋 An Islamic Perspective on the Abrahamic and Sinai Covenants

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1️⃣ Introduction

The Qur’an distinguishes between two prophetic lineages within the Abrahamic tradition:

• 🌴 Ishmael’s Line (Ismā‘īl عليه السلام) → culminating in the final prophet, Muhammad ﷺ.

• 🌾 Isaac’s Line (Ishāq عليه السلام) → leading to the prophets of Banī Isrā’īl.

Both lines share Abraham (Ibrāhīm عليه السلام) as their patriarch, yet were blessed through different modes of divine will—one through Abraham’s heartfelt prayer (du‘ā), the other as a direct divine gift.

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2️⃣ Abraham’s Prayer 🌙 and the Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ

📖 Qur’anic Reference – Surah Al-Baqarah (2:129):

“Our Lord, send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”

Here, “them” refers to the descendants of Ishmael in Mecca. Abraham’s prayer became the foundation for:

1. 🌟 The Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ – fulfilling Abraham’s request.

2. 🕋 The sanctity of Mecca – the heart of monotheism, established through Abraham and Ishmael’s rebuilding of the Kaaba (House of God).

Thus, Ishmael’s inclusion in the Abrahamic Covenant was prophetic and genealogical, linking his line directly to the final universal messenger.

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3️⃣ Isaac’s Gift 🎁 and the Prophethood of the Israelites

Isaac was described in the Qur’an as a divine gift to Abraham and Sarah in their old age—granted because of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael.

📖 Qur’anic Reference – Surah As-Saffat (37:99–113):

The Qur’an does not name the sacrificial son, but context shows it was Ishmael—since the announcement of Isaac’s birth comes only after the near-sacrifice.

📖 Surah Al-Jāthiyah (45:16):

“And We certainly gave the Children of Israel the Scripture and judgment and prophethood, and We provided them with good things and preferred them over the worlds.”

Here, the Israelite prophethood was:

• 📜 A direct divine gift to the descendants of Jacob (Ya‘qūb عليه السلام).

• ⛰ Centered on the Sinai Covenant – the Torah revealed to Moses (Mūsā عليه السلام).

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4️⃣ Covenant Distinctions ⚖️

Abrahamic Covenant (🌴 Ishmael’s Line)

• ✂️ Circumcision – performed on Abraham and Ishmael before Isaac’s birth.

• 🌍 Universal mission – blessing to all nations.

• 📖 Fulfilled in the Qur’an revealed to Muhammad ﷺ.

• 🕋 Mecca sanctified by Abraham’s prayer.

Sinai Covenant (🌾 Isaac’s Line)

• 🏔 Established through Exodus from Egypt and revelation at Mount Sinai.

• 👥 Restricted to the descendants of Jacob.

• 📜 Prophetic succession a special divine favor (Surah 45:16).

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5️⃣ Theological Insights 💡

• Ishmael’s line → 🌍 Universal and Final, for all humanity.

• Isaac’s line → 👥 National and Preparatory, culminating in the Gospel of Jesus (‘Īsā عليه السلام).

Muhammad ﷺ is thus the seal of the Abrahamic promise, while the Israelite prophets carried the Sinai responsibilities until the universal mission was revealed.

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6️⃣ Conclusion 🌟

Islam teaches that:

• 🕋 The Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ and the sanctity of Mecca → Results of Abraham’s prayer.

• 📜 The Prophethood of the Israelites → Direct gift from Allah to Jacob’s descendants.

Both streams grow from the same Abrahamic root, yet their fruits differ—one final and universal, the other preparatory and nation-specific.

— Azahari Hassim

Founder, The World of Abrahamic Theology