Shining God’s Light on the Koran re: Abraham

Sam continues his on-going series which contrasts the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Islamic Koran on a variety of topics. He aims the beam of the Biblical laser on the Koran to expose, to reveal what it really says. See his previous articles here.
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Was Abraham a Muslim?

Abraham is spoken of very highly in both the Koran and Scripture. The question we ponder today is: Was Abraham Muslim?

THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

Say: “God has declared the truth. Follow the faith of Abraham. He was an upright man, no idolater.”(1)

He that chooses a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him and in the world to come he will surely be among the losers. (2)

And who has a nobler religion than he who submits to God, does what is right, and follows the faith of saintly Abraham, whom God chose to be His friend? (3)

Tell of Abraham, who said to Azar, his father: “will you worship idols as your gods? Surely and all your people are in palpable error.” (4)

Thus did We show Abraham the kingdoms of the heavens and the earth, so that he might become a firm believer. (5)

His people argued with him. He said: “Will you argue with me about God, who has given me guidance? I do not fear your idols, unless my Lord so willed. My Lord has knowledge of all things. Will you not be warned? And how should I fear your idols when you yourselves are not afraid of serving idols not sanctioned by God? Which of us is more deserving of salvation? Tell me, if you know the truth. Those that have faith and do not taint their faith with wrongdoing shall surely earn salvation, while they follow the right path.” (6)

They say: “Accept the Jewish or the Christian faith and you shall be rightly guided.” (7)

Say: “By no means! We believe in the faith of Abraham, The upright one. He was no idolater.” (8)

And tell of Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: men of might and vision whom We made pure with the thought of the hereafter. They shall dwell with Us among the righteous whom We have chosen. (9)

COMMENTARY ON THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

The Koran teaches that Christians and Jews will tell Moslems and others to follow their Christianity or Judaism. Muslims are to say that they follow the faith of Abraham. It is implied that the faith of Abraham is Islam because according to the Koran there is no other correct religion. We can see from this that Islam is exclusive from Christianity or Judaism. It is not possible to be a Jew or a Christian and also be a Muslim at the same time. It is like one day when an avowed atheist told me that he became a better Christian after he became an atheist. Of course I was impressed with the contradiction of terms. I am just as impressed that the news media attempts to equate Islam and Christianity. Muslims do this also by telling me they believe in Jesus and that He is spoken of in the Koran.

The Koran says that Abraham was no idolater. This means that Abraham did not believe that Jesus was divine or that Abraham worshiped Jesus. Islam teaches that Jesus is not divine nor is he to be worshiped. Therefore, those who believe that Jesus is divine or worship Him are idolaters.

Abraham is said to have discussed idolatry with those who lived around him. He told them “who is more deserving of salvation.” This shows he considered salvation something to be worked toward and obtained based on one’s meritorious service. Merit means to serve for hire. (10)

The Koran claims this to be a noble religion, submit to God, do what is right, and follow the faith of Abraham. God chose Abraham to be His friend. Perhaps God will choose you also to be His friend. The question is what does it mean to submit to God? Submission is to give control of oneself to another. In being submissive to the god of Islam there is one thing among many one must do. It is to not believe that Jesus is God or to worship Jesus. What is the right thing to do? One of the right things to do is to make war against those who believe Jesus is God and worship Him (11). The faith of Abraham involves working for whatever goodness the god of Islam approves.

According to the Koran, Abraham leaves open the possibility of worshiping idols as long as they are sanctioned by the god of the Koran. It is written that he said: “…you yourselves are not afraid of serving idols not sanctioned by God?” So, if they are sanctioned by the god of the Koran it is possible to worship the idol. This knowledge will be handy when it comes time to worship the image of the beast.

THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to yourself. And Abram said to the King of Sodom, I have lifted up mine hand unto the Lord. The most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me. Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion. (12)

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram: in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, lo, one born in my household is my heir. And, behold , the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be your heir; but he that shall come forth out of your own bowels shall be your heir. And He brought him forth abroad, and said, tell the stars, if you be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness. (13)

But you, Israel, are my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. (14)

COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

Abram went out to do battle with the kings that had defeated Sodom and refused to take for himself any of the spoil of war even though he was entitled to it. He wanted to receive his blessing from God and not some wicked king who could then brag that he had made Abram rich. He was certainly not covetous. He did serve God out of love for God.

Abram believed in God. This is what was counted as righteousness for Abram.

God said of Abraham: “My friend.”

COMPARING & CONTRASTING THE KORAN WITH SCRIPTURE

In the Koran Abraham is chosen to be the friend of God. In Scripture God says of Abraham, “My friend.”

In the Koran Abraham earns his salvation by believing in the god of Islam, which includes not believing Jesus is divine, and doing good works acceptable to the god of the Koran. In Scripture Abraham is considered righteous by believing in God.

In the Koran Abraham would worship only idols sanctioned by the god of the Koran. In scripture no comment is made concerning idols with Abraham.

In the Koran Abraham is shown the kingdoms of heaven and earth in order to become a firm believer. In Scripture Abraham is shown the heavens and asked if he can count the stars. God tells him his descendants will be just as numerous as the stars though he be childless. Abraham believes in God and this is counted for righteousness for himself.

CONCLUSION

In the Koran one earns their salvation and in Scripture one does not earn salvation. You must choose which one you believe to be correct. I believe Scripture to be correct and therefore Abraham was not a Muslim.

REFERENCES

1. The Koran Page 50 Paragraph 3:95
2. The Koran Page 50 Paragraph 3:85
3. The Koran Page 73 Paragraph 4:125
4. The Koran Page 99 Paragraph 6:74
5. The Koran Page 99 Paragraph 6:75
6. The Koran Page 100 Paragraph 6:80
7. The Koran Page 23 Paragraph 2:134
8. The Koran Page 23 Paragraph 2:135
9. The Koran Page 320 Paragraph 38:45
10. Webster’s New World College Dictionary Page 901
11. The Koran Page 81,127 Paragraph 3:16,8:12
12. The Holy Bible Genesis 14:21-24
13. The Holy Bible Genesis 15:1-6
14. The Holy Bible Isaiah 41:8