Is Islam an Abrahamic religion?

The term Abrahamic religion has been repeated frequently. But, is this term religiously supported? Can we refer to Islam by it?

In this article, we will explore whether Islam is an Abrahamic religion, delving into the reasons behind posing this term, the Abrahamic religions. Also, profound, debatable questions will be answered: Is Abraham the founder of Islam? Why are Islam, Judaism, and Christianity called the Abrahamic religions? Who is Abraham in the three religions? And what is his role in them?

We will also view a brief comparison between the three religions, highlighting the right religion for truth seekers, which is Islam.

Table of Contents

Summary

Is Islam an Abrahamic religion? While Islam honors Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) as one of the greatest prophets, it teaches that he was not the founder of Islam. Rather, Islam is the timeless religion of submission to Allah and the message of pure monotheism (Tawhid) preached by all prophets from Adam to Muhammad ﷺ. This article explores the meaning of the term “Abrahamic religions,” Abraham’s role in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, and the key differences between these faiths. It also explains why Islam regards Abraham as a Muslim devoted to the worship of One God and presents Islam as the preserved continuation of the monotheistic message shared by all prophets.

Is Islam an Abrahamic religion?

In the sense of attributing Islam religion to Abraham solely, Islam is not an Abrahamic religion. Rather, it is the religion of Oneness, which Abraham and all other prophets called for.

However, if it is asked about Abraham’s religion, the answer will be Islam since Almighty Allah says in the Quran:

“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; he was Hanif [submitted in all uprightness],¹ a Muslim, and was not a polytheist.”

{3:76}

Almighty Allah also emphasizes that Islam was the message of all prophets. He says in the Quran:

“We surely sent a messenger to every community, saying, ‘Worship Allah and shun false gods.” {16:36}

Is Abraham considered the founder of Islam?

No, Prophet Abraham is not the founder of Islam. Islam is a universal faith that has existed since the dawn of humanity, as it means to submit to One True God, Almighty Allah, associating no partners with Him, and this is the message with which Abraham and all prophets were sent, from Prophet Adam to the final Prophet Muhammad.

Almighty Allah says in the Quran:

“We surely sent a messenger to every community, saying, ‘Worship Allah and shun false gods.”

{16:36}

Hence, Abraham (PBUH) was a prophet sent by Almighty Allah and he was a Muslim.

It is mentioned in the Quran:

“This was the advice of Abraham—as well as Jacob—to his children, ˹saying˺, “Indeed, Allah has chosen for you this faith; so do not die except as Muslims [a state of full˺ submission].”

{2:132}

Why are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam called the Abrahamic religions?

This term, ‘Abrahamic religions’, is a modern term that did not exist in the three religions before. Although Abraham has a valuable rank in the three religions and they all share the same foundational stories, such as the stories of Noah, Moses, and Abraham, none of them includes such a term. This term has recently been posed, aiming to create a common belief between the Jews, the Christians, and the Muslims. Yet, it is not religiously supported.

On the contrary, there is a disagreement between three of them on Abraham’s role since the Jews consider him to be the father of the Jewish people only, while Christians believe that he was only a precursor for Jesus.

Whilst Muslims believe in what God has said in the Quran:

“ Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was inclining toward truth [Hanif], a Muslim. And was not a polytheist. Indeed, those who have the best claim to Abraham are his followers, this Prophet ‘Muhammad’,¹ and the believers. And Allah is the Guardian of those who believe.”

{3:67-68}

Who is Abraham in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam? And why is he important to them?

Abraham has a remarkable position in the three religions, mentioned briefly in the following points:

Abraham was a prominent prophet sent by God, known as the father of the prophets, since all the prophets after him were from his lineage.
Abraham is the best example of servitude and obedience to God, as he called for monotheism and rejected idolatry.
Abraham had undergone severe tests; however, he had remained submissive to his Lord.

Jewish and Christian beliefs about Abraham have no valid evidence

Jews and Christians have attributed to Abraham (PBUH) beliefs and claims that lack authentic proof to support their respective religious narratives.

The Jews regard him as the patriarch of Judaism through the lineage of his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob, while excluding Ishmael, whose descendants are linked to the Arabs.
Likewise, Christians associate him with the genealogy of Jesus only, excluding other honoured prophets, to support their crucifixion belief.

The correct belief of Abraham in Islam, supported by God

Abraham was a prophet sent by Almighty God to call his people, who were polytheists, to submit to One True God, Allah. He was a model of excellence in devotion, whom Almighty Allah blessed and his lineage, and placed prophethood among his descendants until the final prophet, Muhammad ﷺ.

Almighty Allah says in the Quran:

“Indeed, Abraham was a model of excellence: devoted to Allah, Hanif [˹perfectly˺ upright]—not a polytheist— ˹utterly˺ grateful for Allah’s favours. ˹So˺ He chose him and guided him to the Straight Path. We blessed him with all goodness in this world,¹ and in the Hereafter, he will certainly be among the righteous.” {16:120-122}

Why is Abraham considered the patriarch and father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?

Prophet Abraham (PBUH) is a pivotal figure in history, revered and honored by Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Here is a brief overview of his rank in the three religions, with a clarification of his true role:

Abraham’s role in Judaism as a patriarch is distorted and incomplete

Abraham is considered the patriarch, along with his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob, because he established a monotheistic faith, and his lineage through Isaac led to the Jewish people. Although Ishmael was Abraham’s son as well, they disregarded his position because his lineage led to the Arabs. Disregarding this fact led to disbelief in the final message with the final prophet, Muhammad ﷺ, claiming that his lineage is not directly related to Isaac.

Abraham’s role in Christianity as the godfather of the believers shows contradictions in their beliefs

Abraham is not only a patriarch but also a spiritual ancestor and the godfather of the believers, as his life was marked by surrender to God and obedience. Likewise, Judaism, he called for monotheism. Also, his willingness to sacrifice his son is perceived as a foreshadowing of God, who later would sacrifice his son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. This creates a contradiction in beliefs, as how can he be a monotheist and at the same time a prelude to the crucifixion of the son of God?

Abraham in Islam, his true honoured role

Abraham, known as Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH), is one of the Messengers of Firm Resolve, not a patriarch. The following points view his statues in Islam:

1.The Quran describes Abraham as Khalil al-Rahman

He holds a uniquely honored status. He is known as Khalil al-Rahman (the Close Friend of the Most Merciful, Allah) and is regarded as the perfect model of sincere submission and pure monotheism (Hanifiyyah).
The Quran mentions: “And who is better in faith than those who ˹fully˺ submit themselves to Allah, do good, and follow the Way of Abraham, the upright [Hanif]? Allah chose Abraham as a close friend.” {4:125}

2.His religion is stated clearly in the Quran as a Muslim

He devoted himself entirely to the worship of Allah alone without associating any partners with Him. The Quran says:

“ Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was Hanif [inclining toward truth], a Muslim. And was not a polytheist.”

{3:67}

3.He is nicknamed the father of the prophets

The prophets who came after him were from his blessed lineage and followed his righteous path; hence, he is known as ‘the Father of the Prophets’. It is mentioned in the Quran:

“We blessed him with Isaac and ˹later˺ Jacob, and reserved prophethood and revelation for his descendants.”

{29:27}

4.Prophet Muhammad highlights their unique relationship as Abraham is his grandfather

From the lineage of Isma’il came Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Seal and Final Messenger.
When Prophet Muhammadﷺ was asked to introduce himself, he said: “I am the supplication of my father Abraham.”As it’s mentioned in the Quran that Prophet Ibrahim had said: “Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them.” {2:129}

5. Abraham’s prominent role appears as the builder of the Ka’bah

By the command of Allah, Ibrahim and his son Isma’il raised the foundations of the Ka‘bah. Almighty Allah has said in the Quran:

“….And We entrusted Abraham and Ishmael to purify My House for those who circle it, who meditate in it, and who bow and prostrate themselves ˹in prayer˺.

{2:125}.

To sum up, Prophet Abraham (PBUH) is neither a patriarch nor a godfather; he was a prophet sent by Almighty Allah to call for worshipping Him, and his religion was Islam.

Comparison of the three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which are attributed to Abraham

The three religions share the same origin but differ in some core practices and beliefs. The core similarities are belief in God and acknowledging prophets, while the core differences are God’s nature and scripture’s preservation.

Judaism & Christianity corrupted Abraham’s original belief in One Unique God

In Judaism, they attribute human traits to God, and in Christianity, they believe in the Trinity, which contradicts monothiesim. Additionally, the Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible have been exposed to alterations and distortions.

Islam is the right religion, Abraham’s Faith of Oneness

Islam emphasizes the principle of the absolute oneness of God with sacred traits that are incomparable. It is mentioned in the Quran: “Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “He is Allah—One ˹and Indivisible˺; Allah—the Sustainer ˹needed by all˺. He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him.”¹ Chapter 112

Unlike the current Torah and Bible, the Quran is preserved and remains unaltered. Allah says in It: “It is certainly We Who have revealed the Reminder, and it is certainly We Who will preserve it.” {15:9}
It is not only preserved but also challenges all mankind that it can never be changed or imitated. Almighty Allah says in the Quran: “Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “If ˹all˺ humans and jinn were to come together to produce the equivalent of this Quran, they could not produce its equal, no matter how they supported each other.” {17:88}

Learn more about Oneness, the core principle of Islam

To know more about the true God’s nature and the concept of monothiesm, read:

Belief in One God, the clear path to salvation.

Chat with our team to ask all your questions about Islam.

Conclusion

We have presented in this article:

Abraham is not the founder of Islam because the core of it, Oneness, has existed since the dawn of humanity, and it was the message of all prophets beginning from Prophet Adam to the final Prophet Muhammad.
‘The Abrahamic religions’ is a false term that has been posed to gather all individuals under one belief. However, Islam is the right religion that Almighty Allah has chosen for people, disregarding other distorted religions.
The status of Prophet Abraham in the three religions, highlighting his true role and religion, which is that of a prophet and a Muslim.
Comparison between the three religions, presenting the right one briefly with authentic proofs, which is Islam.

To sum up, Islam is not an Abrahamic religion attributed to Abraham alone. Rather, it is the religion of all prophets, founded on the principle of Oneness, the message with which Almighty Allah sent every prophet.

Frequently asked questions

What Is the Main Message of Abraham in Islam?

The central message of Abraham in Islam is Tawhid, the absolute oneness of Allah. Abraham called people to abandon idols and worship God alone without partners or intermediaries. His life is presented in the Quran as a model of sincere monotheism, complete submission to Allah, and steadfast faith under difficult trials.

What Is the Relationship Between Abraham and Prophet Muhammad?

Islam teaches that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ descended from Abraham through his son Ishmael. Abraham prayed for a messenger to arise among his descendants, and Muslims believe that this prayer was fulfilled through the mission of Prophet Muhammad. This connection highlights the continuity of the message of monotheism across generations of prophets.

Why Does Islam Emphasize the Oneness of God?

The oneness of God, known as Tawhid, is the foundation of Islam and the message shared by all prophets. Islam teaches that Allah is unique, indivisible, and incomparable. This belief distinguishes Islamic monotheism and serves as the core principle that Abraham, Muhammad, and all prophets called humanity to embrace.

How Does Islam View Abraham Differently from Judaism and Christianity?

Islam teaches that Abraham was a prophet and messenger of Allah who followed pure monotheism. Unlike Jewish and Christian interpretations, Islam does not regard Abraham as the founder of a particular ethnic group or as a precursor to beliefs that conflict with strict monotheism. The Quran describes him as a devoted servant of Allah and a Muslim.