The Abraham Dilemma

The Abraham Dilemma

A well known biblical story is where God ordered Abraham (pbuh) to sacrifice his son Isaac. Many people have read and/or heard this account numerous times, never once realizing what I call the Abraham (pbuh) dilemma. Let us read this account together:

Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

Many of you are probably wondering what the highlighted verses are trying to indicate. Much of the problems in the Bible are often overlooked, rather than being closely examined. After all, there is no word more important than that of God's, so shouldn't one study it with the utmost determination?

Here is the Dilemma: Abraham (pbuh) is a man of God and a very important prophet to three of the major religions of this world. He is considered the father of the monotheistic faiths. He is so important, that Jesus (pbuh) said:

John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

Now, As Abraham (pbuh) takes his son Isaac (pbuh) to be sacrificed, Isaac (pbuh) asked his father where the lamb to be sacrificed was. Abraham (pbuh) responded by telling his son that God would provide it. This leaves only two options:

1. Abraham (pbuh) lied to his son.

2. Abraham (pbuh) knew God would provide the lamb, thus it was not really a sacrifice after all. This would also make no sense since in verse twelve, the Angel said that Abraham (pbuh) had proved his fear of God by being willing to do as he was commanded.

This story is repeated in the Qur'an, only without such a problem. The Qur'an was sent to confirm the previous scriptures, which have been altered throughout the years, which the Bible itself attests to in Jeremiah 8:8. According to the Qur'an, Abraham (pbuh) is honest with his son, he asks his son what should be done, and his son (Ishmael (pbuh) in the Qur'an, for more, see: Ishmael or Isaac: Which Son Was To Be Sacrificed?) said he should do as God commanded. Here is the Qur'anic verson:

Qur'an 37:99 "He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me! (100) "O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!" (101)So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear. (102) Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practicing Patience and Constancy!" (103) So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah., and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice), (104) We called out to him "O Abraham! (105) "Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" - thus indeed do We reward those who do right. (106) For this was obviously a trial- (107) And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: (108) And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: (109)"Peace and salutation to Abraham!" (110)Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.(111) For he was one of our believing Servants.

Is this not more in harmony with one who is a prophet of God? One who's sole purpose is to spread the word of the Almighty? Notice how they humbled themselves and submitted to the will of God. This is the version that is free from any alterations.