Abraham
Abraham is widely revered as the founding patriarch in both the Bible and the Quran, seen as the progenitor of the Israelite nation in Jewish tradition and as a major prophet in Islam. In the Bible, particularly the Book of Genesis, Abraham receives God’s covenant, which promises him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan (Wright, 2008). His faith is famously tested in the story of Isaac's sacrifice, underscoring themes of obedience and trust in divine providence (Soggin, 1998).
In the Quran, Abraham similarly emerges as a monotheistic prophet who opposes idolatry and submits to God's will, embodying themes of faith and moral integrity (Asad, 1980). Scholars like Waltke (2001) emphasize Abraham’s covenantal relationship with God as foundational for both Judaism and Christianity, illustrating the lasting influence of his spiritual journey. In Islam, Abraham is also viewed as a precursor to Muhammad, underlining his role in establishing monotheism, a principle that deeply resonates throughout the Quran.
Thus, Abraham’s legacy as a model of faith and obedience bridges the narratives of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, affirming his central place in the shared spiritual heritage of these three religions.
However, various scholars regard Abraham not solely as a historical figure but also as a symbol constructed to shape identity and communicate profound messages. Thompson (1992) argues that Abraham is not a historical figure but rather a literary and theological construct shaped by the cultural and ideological contexts of the authors who wrote the biblical narratives. He highlights the lack of archaeological evidence supporting Abraham's existence and suggests that the stories about him were created to fulfill the needs of later generations, serving as symbols of faith and identity for the Israelite people rather than reflecting actual events. For Thompson, Abraham represents a figure of cultural memory, embodying themes central to Israelite tradition without being rooted in a specific historical reality.
Similarly, Finkelstein and Silberman (2001) suggest that Abraham is a legendary figure whose stories were influenced by later cultural and political developments, intended to create a cohesive identity for the Israelites. Sand (2009) argues that Abraham’s portrayal as the patriarch of a unified Jewish lineage is more myth than historical reality, shaped by cultural factors during the rise of Zionism to strengthen Jewish identity and nationalism.
Hayes (2015) views Abraham as a symbolic character, with the stories about him reflecting deeper theological and ethical insights. Collectively, these perspectives underscore a skepticism about Abraham's historical reality, focusing instead on the roles his stories play in forming religious and cultural identities. Ehrman (2018) suggests that while Abraham may be loosely based on a historical figure, most of what is known about him is enshrouded in myth, shaped by theological motivations.
Understanding Abraham as a fictional or symbolic figure reveals how foundational stories shape identity and meaning within religious traditions. Rather than seeing Abraham purely as a historical figure, he can be understood as a representation of ideals crafted to meet the cultural and theological needs of different communities. Recognising Abraham in this light highlights how myths can foster connection and moral guidance, illustrating the enduring power of storytelling in shaping beliefs and building community.