15. Ibrahim (AS): The Common Ancestor of Jews, Christians and Muslims | Verses: 2:124-132

After discussing the many transgressions of Bani Israel, Surah Al-Baqarah shifts focus to Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), the patriarch from whom both the Children of Israel and the Arabs trace their lineage. This transition serves a profound purpose, as it directs both Jews and Christians back to their spiritual archetype and reminds them of the pure monotheism he embodied.

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala states:

"And when his Lord put Ibrahim to test with certain words, and he fulfilled them, He said, 'I am going to make you an Imam for the people.' He said, 'And from among my progeny?' He replied, 'My promise does not extend to the unjust.'" And when his Lord put Ibrahim to test with certain words, and he fulfilled them, He said, 'I am going to make you an Imam for the people.' He said, 'And from among my progeny?' He replied, 'My promise does not extend to the unjust.'

This passage establishes Ibrahim (peace be upon him) as a spiritual leader for humanity after he successfully passed through numerous trials set by Allah. His elevation to the status of Khalil (intimate friend) of Allah came after he demonstrated unwavering commitment to divine commands. The tests Ibrahim (peace be upon him) endured were severe, including leaving his wife Hajar and infant son Ismail in a barren desert valley with no visible means of sustenance.

What is particularly significant in this narrative is Ibrahim's question about his descendants and Allah's response that His covenant would not include those who commit injustice. This establishes a fundamental Islamic principle: true faith leadership is not determined by lineage alone but by righteousness and adherence to divine guidance. This directly challenges any claims to religious superiority based solely on ancestry, whether from the Children of Israel or any other group.

The Quran continues to describe how Ibrahim and his son Ismail raised the foundations of the Ka'bah, establishing Makkah as the center of pure monotheism. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder to both the Jews and Christians that their religious practices had diverged from Ibrahim's original pure faith of Tawhid (absolute monotheism). It invites them to recognize that the religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) represents a return to this pristine faith.

Ibrahim (peace be upon him) represents the common ancestor of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, but the Quran emphasizes that his true legacy is not in blood relation but in adherence to his monotheistic creed. This is why Allah highlights Ibrahim as the perfect model of faith, whose path Muslims follow through their rituals of Hajj and their daily prayers facing the Ka'bah.

This portion of Surah Al-Baqarah emphasizes that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) never associated partners with Allah, neither was he a Jew nor a Christian, as these religious identities emerged long after his time. Instead, he was a hanif (naturally inclined to pure monotheism) and a Muslim in the most fundamental sense of the word – one who submits completely to Allah.

By presenting Ibrahim in this way, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala establishes a powerful argument against the exclusivist claims of both Jews and Christians. They cannot claim Ibrahim exclusively as their own while rejecting the continuation of his legacy through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The true followers of Ibrahim are those who follow his path of pure monotheism and complete submission to Allah, which is the essence of Islam.