Comparison of Al-Tabaris Account with the Biblical Account of Sacrifice - Literature review Example

Comparison of Al-Tabaris account with the biblical account of sacrifice Al-Tabari is a historian of Quran, a hallowed book meant and highly esteemed by Muslims. Many celebrate him for having authored a poem and diverse volumes of literatures whose intention encompasses helping people have clear understanding of Muslim culture. Al-Tabari relays significant contrast between Christians and Muslim regarding the narration of Abraham and sacrifice. In his quest, he takes one poem and different volumes of books to explain God’s authority of Abraham in forgoing his son. According to Al-Tabaris poem, Isaac as a sacrifice intended to accomplish a vow Abraham made saying, “Abraham the one who carries out a vow to satisfaction and the bearer of burning firewood (Bakhos 204).” However, in the bible is slightly different and assumes the scenario of a test whereby God demands the only gift that he has given to His servant to turn to be a sacrifice (Clanton 45). In Al-Tabari’s the issue of a son turning to be a sacrifice is quite a rhetorical scenario because it does not state whether Isaac was sacrificial lamb. It contends Ishmael being God’s son ordered Abraham to sacrifice for he knew what He (Supreme) had commanded, which is contrary to what Christians have all along indoctrinated via the bible to believe. Biblical impression of Gen 22 contends Isaac was unware of the command God had compelled the father to undertake. Hence, he had to accompany him to the mountain while carrying the other necessities but without the lamb. Examining the two narrations it is quite clear Abraham was comfortable with that kind of offering to whom he deemed had power to give and do whatever to him was impossible. When he received a vision of the sacrifice, there is no indication that there was any moment of questioning God why his only son should be a sacrifice. This is evident in the way he proceeded with the sacrificial plan as ordered. Similarly, the scenario of utter obedience is apparent in the when Abraham decided to leave Iraq heading to Al-Sham whereby in the latter country inquired for a son through his wife (Tottoli 142). In bible, this section is more of reminding but Abraham puts it in such a way being a desperate situation tied to the argument who will inherit what he had but God assured him of an heir. Consequently, angelic visitors who were on a mission of exterminating sinners passed by and relayed to him of good happenings regarding his gift of a heir who now in Bible is Isaac. Abraham said the son would be a sacrifice because God had fulfilled his wish. By that, he made a vow that Isaac to be a sacrifice later on. He explains out that by doing so was contented with Isaac being a sacrifice. The name of son offered for sacrifice in the biblical account was Isaac. Al-Tabaris does not state the identity of the son meant to be a sacrifice. Some Islam scholars contend that was Ishmael God had stated to be a sacrifice but others have held onto Christians belief he was Isaac (Naqvi 156). Presently, Muslims observe sacrifice feast remembering Abraham’s obedience to proffer Ishmael as a sacrifice. This indicates that they recognized Ishmael as the son who was a sacrifice as per God’s directive. Someone appeared to Abraham in a trance and told him to keep his vow regarding how he claimed the son he will get would later sacrifice him. In the Bible, God himself appeared and compelled him to offer his son, which is contrary to just a just someone the way it is in the Quran. Al-Tabari claims the name of the mountain where Abraham was to offer sacrifice is not evident but the place of Ishmael sacrificing is Thabir (Wellisch 61). Biblically, God ordered Abraham to head Moriah and sacrifice Isaac, which is quite contrary to Islam (Har-El 111). Both Qur’an and biblical account give the same message when they state that Abraham told his son to accompany him to the mountains. However, there is contradiction when Isaac asked his father which offering they would sacrifice. Abraham told his son, he was the sacrificial lamb that will be offered to God (Naqvi 156). In the biblical account, Abraham told Isaac that God will provide the ram for the burnt offering. Al-Tabaris’ account states that conversation took place between Abraham and Isaac during the time of sacrifice. This is clearly explained in the Quran. Isaac told his father to tighten his bones in order not to pull back to prevent the bloodshed on his clothes. He also asked his father to harry and pass the knife over his throat so that his death can be easy (Caspi 94). Furthermore, he asked Abraham to send his greetings to his mother Sarah. This provoked Abraham to cry while tying up his son. According to Genesis 22 the conversations between Abraham and the son did not exist. After the alter had been built and wood arranged, Abraham bounded Isaac on it and reached out for a knife ready to slay him. There was no time for communication. Abraham did not cry or show any remorse while offering his son as a sacrifice because it was sign of obedience to God. Al-Tabari’s account shows the sacrifice of the son pushed through but the knife did not cut through. The Islam religion justify this by saying God had placed a sheet of copper on Isaac’s throat to prevent the cutting. In order to fulfill the affair of God Abraham turned Isaac on his forehead and nicked him on the back in the way God ordered him in the Qur’an. Genesis 22 says that a voice called out Abraham to stop him from pushing through with sacrificing Isaac. According to Al-Tabaris’ account, when God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son, he told him to take a knife and rope so that they can go to the mountain to gather firewood. However, Genesis 22 states a different version. It clearly states that Abraham told Isaac to accompany him to the mountains to offer a burnt offering to God. The Al-Tabari’s indicates that the main reason to go to the mountain was to gather firewood while in genesis; it was to offer a burnt offering. Satan, who is iblis inform of a human being attempted to make Abraham and his son disobey God (Tottoli 101). Iblis asked Abraham where they were going and if he will sacrifice his son as God ordered him to. Abraham denounced the temptation of iblis by ordering him to go way. Iblis gave up on Abraham and tried to encounter Ishmael. Iblis tries destroys Ishmael’s idea of going with his father to the mountain to gather firewood when he tells him he is the sacrifice God wants . Ishmael refuses iblis’s ideas to brainwash his mind and make him disobey God. He tells Satan that his father should do what lord had ordered him to do (Tottoli 101). Satan tried swaying Abraham into contravening God is not evident in Gen. 22. The ram meant for sacrifice as a burnt offering instead of Isaac came from paradise according to Al-Tabari (Wellisch 61). It had grazed there for more than forty years (Naqvi 156 ). In the biblical account according to Genesis, Abraham saw the ram that was caught by the thorns which he offered as a burnt offering. It does not state whether it was from paradise. The time the ram had grazed is not mentioned. The only thing stated in genesis is; the ram was caught in the thorns. According to research when Abraham ordered his son to capture the ram it went in the middle of the pile stones. The ram was extracted and pelted with more seven rocks before being offered as a sacrifice. It also shows that when Abraham offered a ram as a sacrifice he hanged it up with its horns. The bible does not give details on whether the capturing of the ram was difficult. It does not state whether Abraham and Isaac had to throw stones in order to make offering sacrifice easier. Both biblical and Islam account talks of Abraham and the sacrifice, however the bible mainly concentrates on one son while the Quran talks on the sacrifice of both sons. This shows there is wide range of difference in the history of Abraham’s sacrifice in both accounts. This does not indicate that one account has correct history than the order because each one of them tries to display their views on every opinion they give in their religion. It is very difficult to determine which account gives clear explanation that enables one to stick with only one story about Abraham and the sacrificed. They both try to give concrete information to support the history of their religion. Work cited Bakhos, Carol. The Family of Abraham: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Interpretations. , 2014. Print. Caspi, Mishael, and John T. Greene. Unbinding the Binding of Isaac. Lanham, Md: University Press of America, 2006. Print Clanton, Dan W. Daring, Disreputable, and Devout: Interpreting the Bibles Women in the Arts and Music. New York: T & T Clark International, 2009. Print Naqvi, Ejaz. The Quran: With or against the Bible? : a Topic-by-Topic Review for the Investigative Mind. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse, 2013. Print Tottoli Roberto . Biblical Prophet in the Quran and Muslim Literature. 2013. Print. Wellisch, E. Isaac And Oedipus: A Study In Biblical Psychology Of The Sacrifice Of Isaac. London: Routledge, 2013. Print. Har-El, Shai. Where Islam and Judaism Join Together: A Perspective on Reconciliation. , 2014. Internet resource. Read More