| Quran’s Story When Ibrahim ( Abraham ) was 99 years old, Allah decided to test his faith, in a dream Allah commanded Ibrahim to offer up 13-years-old Ismail ( Ishmael ) for sacrifice. As Ibrahim prepared to submit to Allah’s will, Syaitan ( Satan ) tried to dissuade him from carrying out Allah’s commandment. Yet, Ibrahim drove Saitan away by throwing pebbles at him. Thus stones are thrown at jamrah pillars to commemorate the rejection of Saitan. Although Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his dearest possession, he could not just bring Ismail to the place of sacrifice without Ismail’s consent. And so Ibrahim consulted Ishmael whether he was willing to give up his life in fulfillment of Allah’s command. This consultation would be a test of Ismail’s maturity in faith, love and commitment for Allah, willingness to obey his father, and readiness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of Allah. Ismail without hesitation submitted to Allah’s will. When Ibrahim attempted to cut Ismail’s throat, Allah interfered by protecting Ismail from being harmed. Allah too prepared a ram in replacement of the sacrifice. As a reward for Ibrahim’s faith in Allah, he was granted with a second son, Ishak ( Isaac ) |
Bible’s Accord Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born to him through Sarah, his wife. ( Genesis 21:5 ) One day, God tested Abraham, by commanding him to bring his young son, Isaac to be sacrificed as an offering on a mountain in the region of Moriah. Abraham obeyed God’s commandment without hesitation. Early the next morning, Abraham took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac, together with wood loaded on a donkey. They reached the sacrifice site on the third day. Abraham had his servants waited with the donkey, while Isaac carried the wood, and himself carried the fire and the knife. When asked by Isaac of the whereabouts of the sacrificial lamb, Abraham assured Isaac that God will provide one. Yet when they reached the place, Abraham built an altar, bound Isaac and him on the wood. As he was about to slay Isaac, an angel appeared and stopped him. Abraham saw and caught a ram that was caught in a nearby bush, and sacrificed it instead. God then reassured Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars and the sand, and through his offspring all nations will be blessed. ( Genesis 22:1-18) |
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| The Sacrifice of Isaac, Rembrandt, 1635 |
