Source sura: Quran 37:1-182 (Pickthal)
The following article summarizes the debate:
The source gives various arguments as to why the Bible is correct on the matter, and has other more in-depth articles on the issue. I'll start with a glaring one I noticed many years ago reading the Quran, which is simply that the name of Ishmael is never mentioned in the entire surah (chapter); only the name of Isaac appears.
The pertinent section is part of an essay on various prophets, Noah preceding discussion of Abraham, and after, Moses and Aaron, and so on. The section on Abraham:
One Muslim reasoning for considering that Ishmael was the subject of sacrifice is that 37:101 mentions one tidings, then 37:112 mentions tidings for Isaac, so the first tidings must be for the older son Ishmael and the second tidings must be for the younger son Isaac.
Rather than considering that 37:101 is for Isaac, and that 37:112 is simply a reinforcement of what was said earlier about Isaac.
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I'll start with that much and see where the discussion leads.
The following article summarizes the debate:
Many Muslims allege that one indication that the Bible has been altered to discredit Islam is the story of Abraham and the divine command to sacrifice his son. Most Muslims insist that this son was Ishmael. The Bible, however, claims that the son was Isaac (Genesis 22:9, Hebrews 11:17, and James 2:21). -Answering Islam
The pertinent section is part of an essay on various prophets, Noah preceding discussion of Abraham, and after, Moses and Aaron, and so on. The section on Abraham:
Quran 37: And lo! of his persuasion verily was Abraham (83) When he came unto his Lord with a whole heart; (84) When he said unto his father and his folk: What is it that ye worship? (85) Is it a falsehood - gods beside Allah - that ye desire? (86) What then is your opinion of the Lord of the Worlds? (87) And he glanced a glance at the stars (88) Then said: Lo! I feel sick! (89) And they turned their backs and went away from him. (90) Then turned he to their gods and said: Will ye not eat? (91) What aileth you that ye speak not? (92) Then he attacked them, striking with his right hand. (93) And (his people) came toward him, hastening. (94) He said: Worship ye that which ye yourselves do carve (95) When Allah hath created you and what ye make? (96) They said: Build for him a building and fling him in the red-hotfire. (97) And they designed a snare for him, but We made them the undermost. (98) And he said: Lo! I am going unto my Lord Who will guide me. (99) My Lord! Vouchsafe me of the righteous. (100) So We gave him tidings of a gentle son. (101) And when (his son) was old enough to walk with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice thee. So look, what thinkest thou? He said: O my father! Do that which thou art commanded. Allah willing, thou shalt find me of the steadfast. (102) Then, when they had both surrendered (to Allah), and he had flung him down upon his face, (103) We called unto him: O Abraham! (104) Thou hast already fulfilled the vision. Lo! thus do We reward the good. (105) Lo! that verily was a clear test. (106) Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim. (107) And We left for him among the later folk (the salutation): (108) Peace be unto Abraham! (109) Thus do We reward the good. (110) Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves. (111) And we gave him tidings of the birth of Isaac, a prophet of the righteous. (112) And We blessed him and Isaac. And of their seed are some who do good, and some who plainly wrong themselves. (113)
Rather than considering that 37:101 is for Isaac, and that 37:112 is simply a reinforcement of what was said earlier about Isaac.
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I'll start with that much and see where the discussion leads.
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