Why is submission to God important in the Bible?
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided." And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."
Key Facts
Term Name
Islam
Term Type
Theological Concept
Purpose
Illustrates the biblical principle of total submission to God's will, foundational to understanding Islamic teachings on Islam.
Biblical Example
Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-18)
Key Takeaways
- Islam in the Bible reflects total submission to God's will, as seen in Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22).
- Islamic practices like tithing and fasting parallel biblical mandates but are more systematically codified in Islamic tradition.
- Shared Abrahamic roots connect Islam and Christianity, though they diverge in scriptural authority and prophetic succession.
What is Islam?
Islam is a monotheistic religion rooted in the belief of absolute submission to Allah, a concept that resonates with biblical themes of devotion to God’s will.
While the Bible does not explicitly mention Islam, its teachings on monotheism—such as the commandment to worship one God—and the role of prophets provide a framework for understanding Islam’s emphasis on divine unity and prophetic guidance. These shared elements can foster mutual respect in interfaith discussions, highlighting common spiritual ground between traditions.
Recognizing these connections encourages a nuanced approach to dialogue, bridging theological similarities while acknowledging historical and doctrinal differences.
Core Teachings of Islam
Islam's core teachings center on the Five Pillars—faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage—and the Quran as the ultimate divine guide, reflecting a structured path of submission to Allah.
The Shahada (faith) affirms belief in one God and Muhammad as His prophet, while Salah (prayer) mandates five daily rituals, emphasizing discipline in worship. Zakat (charity) and Sawm (fasting during Ramadan) cultivate social responsibility and self-discipline, paralleling biblical mandates like tithing (Malachi 3:10) and fasting (Matthew 6:16-18), though Islamic practices are more systematically codified. The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca unites Muslims globally, akin to ancient Israelite pilgrimages (Deuteronomy 16:16), yet Islam views the Quran as the final, unaltered revelation, distinct from biblical canon.
Both traditions share Abrahamic roots, recognizing Abraham as a patriarch (Genesis 17:5), but diverge in scriptural authority and prophetic succession. This foundational comparison sets the stage for deeper exploration of theological distinctions and commonalities.
How to Read Islam Correctly
To read Islam accurately, prioritize its primary sources—the Quran and Hadith—and approach them with attention to historical and cultural context.
Engaging with these texts requires recognizing their foundational role in shaping Islamic beliefs, much as Deuteronomy 16:16 guided ancient Israelite pilgrimage practices. Acknowledging the historical development of these traditions helps avoid anachronistic interpretations. Modern practices should be distinguished from the original teachings to maintain scholarly precision.
By grounding your study in these principles, you create a foundation for respectful dialogue and deeper exploration of Islam’s theological and ethical framework.
Going Deeper
To deepen your understanding of Islam's relationship with biblical themes, consider exploring comparative theology resources that highlight shared Abrahamic roots and differences in scriptural interpretation.
Engaging with scholars of both Islamic and biblical studies can provide insights into the historical development of monotheistic practices, such as pilgrimage and tithing, and their evolving theological contexts. This interdisciplinary approach fosters respectful dialogue while acknowledging the unique contributions of each tradition.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Genesis 22:1–18
Abraham's demonstration of submission to God by preparing to sacrifice Isaac.
Malachi 3:10
Biblical tithing principle paralleling Islamic Zakat (charity).
Matthew 6:16-18
Jesus' teaching on fasting, comparable to Islamic Sawm (Ramadan fasting).
Deuteronomy 16:16
Israelite pilgrimage mandates similar to Islam's Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Related Concepts
Abraham (Figures)
Shared patriarch in Abrahamic traditions, central to Islamic and biblical narratives.
Monotheism (Theological Concepts)
Core belief in one God, foundational to both Islamic and biblical traditions.
Prophets (Theological Concepts)
Both traditions recognize prophets as divine messengers, though succession differs.