Abraham's family tree

Abraham is known as the patriarch of the Jewish people through Isaac, the son born to him and Sarah in their old age and the patriarch of Arabs through his son Ishmael, born to Abraham and his wife’s servant Hagar.

According to the biblical narrative, although Abraham's forefathers were from southern Mesopotamia (in present-day Iraq^[1]) the Lord led Abraham on a journey to the land of Canaan, which he promised to his descendants.

Source criticism

The genealogy of Abraham appears in Genesis 5, Genesis 10:1-7, 20, 22-23, 31-32, and Genesis 11. The documentary hypothesis attributes these genealogies to the Priestly source.^[2]

Biblical narrative

Abram and Sarai prospered materially but had no children. Abram thought to leave his estate to a trusted servant, but God promised him a son and heir. When he was 86 years old, Sarai suggested and Abraham agreed that a practical way to have a child was through Sarah’s servant Hagar. Hagar conceived right away and in time Ishmael was born. This situation brought strife rather than happiness between Hagar and Sarah. Nevertheless, God saw Hagar’s suffering and promised that although this was not the child promised to Abraham, he would nevertheless make Ishmael’s descendants into a great nation also.^[3]

In Genesis chapter 17 "Almighty God" changed Abram’s name to Abraham, for he would be a father of many nations. And his wife Sarai's name was called Sarah, for she would be a mother of nations.

Three visitors come to Abraham and said that he would have a son. Sarah believed she was too old to have a child and laughed. Yet she did conceive (Genesis 21:1-7) and had a baby named Isaac.

After Isaac was married, Abraham married Keturah, who bore him six more sons – Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah.

Quranic narrative

The family members and descendants of Abraham are called "Al Ibrahim (Abraham)" in the Quran. They were honored by being prophets and kings. "But we had already given the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom and conferred upon them a great kingdom" V.54,S.4^[7]

The term "Al (a name)" in Arabic Language means the family of that man and his followers.

Many Muslim interpreters explained "who" are Al Abraham;

• Tafsir Al-Tabari: Al Abraham are the believers, based on a narrative related to Ibn Abbas of the verse: "Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the worlds" V.33, S.3^[8]. He explained: They are the believers of the family of Abraham, the family of Imran, the family of Yaseen, and the family of Muhammad, then quoted the verse: "Indeed, the most worthy of Abraham among the people are those who followed him [in submission to Allah] and this prophet, and those who believe [in his message]. And Allah is the ally of the believers." V.68, S.3^[9]. They are the believers.
• Tafsir As-Sa'di: Al Abraham are the prophets who succeeded him because they are among his descendants, and the Prophet Muhammad belongs to them.^[10]
• Tafsir Al-Baghawi: Al Abraham referred to Abraham himself, and has been also said that Al Abraham are Ismael (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya'qub (Jacob), and Al-Asbat (the 12 children of Jacob) adding that Muhammad is one of Al Abraham.^[11]

Based on these interpretations, Al Abraham are:

• His wife, Sarah, since the Angels addressed her using the term (Ahl Al-Bayt) meaning, the people of the house in the verse: They said, "Are you amazed at the decree of Allah? May the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, people of the house." Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Honorable.""V.73, S.11^[12]
• His son Ismael (Ishmael)
• His son Ishaq (Isaac)
• His grandson ya'qub (Jacob)
• His nephew Lut (Lot)
• Al-Asbat (the 12 children of Jacob)
• Yusuf (Joseph)
• Musa (Moses)
• Harun (Aaron)
• Dawud (David)
• Sulaiman (Solomon)
• Ayub (Job)
• Al-Yas' (Elisha)
• Yunus (Jonah)
• Zakariya (Zachariya)
• Yahya (John)
• Imran
• Maryam (Mary)
• Isa (Jesus)
• Iliyas (Elias)
• Muhammad

These are Al Abraham added to them all the believers among the descendants of Abraham. "And that was Our [conclusive] argument which We gave Abraham against his people. We raise by degrees whom We will. Indeed, your Lord is Wise and Knowing. And We gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - all [of them] We guided. And Noah, We guided before; and among his descendants, David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward the doers of good. And Zechariah and John and Jesus and Elias - and all were of the righteous. And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot - and all [of them] We preferred over the worlds. And [some] among their fathers and their descendants and their brothers - and We chose them and We guided them to a straight path." Vs.83-87 S.6^[13]

References