“God chose Abraham as a close friend”
The Clear Quran, Q. 4:125
This past month, I have been researching covenants in the Quran and the role they play in the Islamic narrative of the story of Abraham. I have been greatly inspired by Joseph E.B. Lumbard’s paper, “Covenant and Covenants in the Qur’an,” as well as Wadad Kadi Al-Qadi’s article, “The Primordial Covenant and Human History in the Qur’ān.” I have found these articles to be extremely enriching, and have found myself surprised at the minimal amount of research that has been done regarding covenants in the Quran in recent scholarship, especially regarding the covenants Abraham is involved in. For this reason, I have decided to shift the focus of my research to the Quranic narrative of the story of Abraham, while still aiming to utilize verses from the Hebrew Bible as references to encourage greater understanding and unity amongst the Abrahamic faiths.
Since I have begun my study of covenants in the Quran, I have found that the covenants that are made with Abraham cannot be studied in isolation. Rather, they should be studied in the context of the entire revelation that is the Quran and must be contextualized to other covenants, especially the Primordial Covenant. I have also found that Abraham is arguably included in several covenants, that can in a sense, all be seen as stemming from one covenant. It could then be said that the focus of my research has shifted to the Abrahamic covenants, or more accurately, the covenants Abraham is involved in, as they are not all unique to only Abraham.
In addition to these shifts, although Abraham is still the focus of my research, I have also begun to write about the important role concepts such as strict monotheism, submission to God, and resurrection play in the Quran’s narrative of Abraham’s life.
Abraham is a role model for submission to God in Islam. He holds a very dear position in the Islamic faith and is seen as a prophet, an inspiring leader (Q. 2:124), and a friend of God (Q. 4:125).
This past weekend was actually Eid Al-Adha, a Muslim holiday that celebrates Abraham’s submission to God by commemorating Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, as well as his son’s willingness to be sacrificed. This can be seen in Surah As-Saffat, ““And he said, “Truly I am going unto my Lord. He will guide me. My Lord, give unto me from among the righteous. So we gave him the glad tidings of a gentle son. When he had become old enough to partake in his father’s endeavors, Abraham said, “O my son! I see while dreaming that I am to sacrifice you. So consider, what do you see?” He replied, “O my father! Do as you are commanded. You will find me, God willing, among those who are patient.” But when they had submitted and Abraham had laid him upon his forehead, We called unto him, “O Abraham! Thou hast been true to the vision.” Thus indeed do We recompense the virtuous. Truly this was the manifest trial. Then We ransomed him with a great sacrifice. And We left [a blessing] upon him among later generations: “Peace be upon Abraham”” (The Study Quran, Q. 37:99-109).
Author: Dana Sultan
(1) Covenant and Covenants in the Qur’an by Joseph E.B. Lumbard
(2) The Primordial Covenant and Human History in the Qur’ān by Wadad Kadi Al-Qadi