For my research paper, I chose to explore the topic of Abraham and Covenants in the Quran, whilst maintaining an interfaith approach by providing references to the Bible. Studying Abraham and the Covenants in the Quran has been an incredible journey. I found this topic to be understudied, yet incredibly fascinating. Being able to explore it with an interfaith approach widened the scope and impact of my study, and additionally increased my own knowledge.
Covenants play a significant role in the Bible and the Quran, and the covenant(s) made with Abraham in these scriptures, along with their interpretations, are certainly significant. The Quran provides insight into aspects of Abraham’s life that aren’t found in the Bible, although there are certainly similarities between these scriptures. The Quran establishes that Abraham had previously lived with people who practiced idolatry (1). Abraham, however, did not follow the faith his forefathers practiced. The Quran states:
When the night grew dark upon him, he saw a star. He said, “This is my Lord!” But when it set, he said, “I love not things that set.” Then when he saw the moon rising he said, “This is my Lord!” But when it set, he said, “If my Lord does not guide me, I shall surely be among the people who are astray.” Then when he saw the sun rising he said, “This is my Lord! This is greater!” But when it set, he said, “O my people! Truly I am quit of the partners you ascribe. Truly, as a hanif, I have turned my face toward Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and I am not of the idolaters. His people disputed with him. He said, “Do you dispute with me concerning God, when He has guided me? I fear not the partners you ascribe unto Him, save as my Lord wills. My Lord encompasses all things in Knowledge. Will you not, then, remember? How should I fear the partners you ascribe, when you do not fear ascribing partners unto God for which He has sent down to you no authority? So which of the two parties has greater right to security, if you know? Those who believe and who do not obscure their belief through wrongdoing, it is they who have security, and they are rightly guided.” That was Our argument, which We gave unto Abraham against his people. We raise in degrees whomsoever We will. Truly thy Lord is Wise, Knowing (2).
Although the meaning of the above verses has been debated, they signify Abraham’s capacity to reflect upon creation and recognize that none of it could be his creator. Thus Abraham demonstrates the utilization of reasoning to reach the conclusion of strict monotheism and begins preaching it to his people. Abraham’s belief in strict monotheism is central to his story and central to understanding covenants in the Quran. The above verses, along with many others regarding the life of Abraham prior to his separation from his father and some regarding his life after he becomes a father himself (of Isaac and Ishmael), serve as central pieces to my paper and can be contextualized to other significant topics, such as the primordial nature of human beings, or the Islamic notion of fitra.
The study of Abraham’s character and the story is important in understanding overarching themes of the Quran such as monotheism, fitra, and submission to God alone. These themes play a central role in my research, as they are highly relevant to the covenants mentioned in the Quran between God and human beings.
Author: Dana Sultan
(1) The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary, 26:69-71.
(2) Ibid., 6:76-83.