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16 / International Multidisciplinary Journal of Pure Life, 11(39), 2024
independent personality and free will
and never intended to deceive him or
lead him blindly into this great test. In
this story, Prophet Abraham wanted
his son to also participate in the
struggle against the Nafs (carnal self)
and experience the joy of submission
and acceptance. The son, too, wanted
his father to remain resolute in his
determination. Thus, he did not say,
“Sacrifice me,” but rather, “Do
whatever you have been commanded,
for I am submissive to the command of
God.” Abraham’s address to his son as
‘O my little son’ and the son’s
response with ‘O my father’ show that
this matter did not diminish their
fatherly and filial affection even a bit,
and God’s command was dominant
and prioritized above all else. Also, it
exhibits the highest levels of faith and
submission, as the son never relies on
his own faith, will, or decision but
rather on God’s will and says, “If God
wills, you will find me among the
patient.” Thus, father and son
successfully pass the first stage of this
great test (Ṭabāṭabāʾī, 2023, Vol. 33).
Conclusion
In the light of the above information, one
can conclude that Ishmael was
Abraham’s ‘firstborn’ from his legally
married wife - Hagar, and both Ishmael
and Isaac had a high status in the eyes of
God and Abraham was promised of
bountiful progeny not just from one, but
both his sons. Regarding God’s covenant
with Abraham, it was sealed after all the
male members of his household were
circumcised along with his son Ishmael
even before the birth of Isaac.
According to the Holy Bible,
Abram is named Abraham, the father
of nations after the birth of Ishmael, his
firstborn. Moreover, Ishmael was
Abraham’s ‘Beloved’ and ‘Only Son’
for a good fourteen years until Isaac’s
birth, and Isaac could never be called
Abraham’s ‘Only Son’ because
Ishmael and Isaac together buried their
father. Also, God’s command to
Abraham was very clear that he offers
his ‘Only Son’ ‘Whom You
(Abraham) Love’ for sacrifice, and
therefore, calling ‘Isaac’ Abraham’s
‘Only Son’ and ‘Whom You
(Abraham) Love’ is an interpolation.
Besides, the use of the word ‘lad’ in the
narrative makes it clear that the son
who was taken up for sacrifice was
none other than Ishmael.
Finally, the fact that Abraham
returns alone after the intended
sacrifice proves beyond doubt that the
son taken up to Mount Moriah was
Ishmael and not Isaac. If it was Isaac,
he would have returned home to his
mother Sarah along with his father
Abraham. Finally, the unknown origin
and authorship of the book of Genesis
and the prospect of changes to later
editions, leave open the possibility that
the story and the narrative of the event
of Abrahamic sacrifice could have