INVESTIGATING ISLAM

Islam's Reinterpretation of Biblical Figures

A Critical Examination

Introduction: A Claim of Continuity That Rewrites History

Islam presents itself as the final and perfected form of monotheism, claiming to be a continuation of the same faith preached by all previous prophets, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Yet a closer examination reveals that Islam fundamentally rewrites the stories of these biblical figures, altering their teachings, identities, and missions to align with its own theological agenda. These alterations are not minor; they are profound and systematically reconstruct the biblical narrative to serve the Islamic claim of Muhammad as the final prophet.

This critical analysis exposes how Islam reinterprets, redefines, and repurposes these figures — Abraham, Moses, and Jesus — to fit a narrative that directly contradicts the historical, biblical, and theological contexts of these prophets.

1. Abraham (Ibrahim): From Covenant Bearer to the Builder of the Kaaba

A. Abraham’s Identity and Role: A Fundamental Redefinition

In the Bible, Abraham is the patriarch of the Israelite nation, the recipient of a covenant with God, and the father of Isaac, through whom the covenant is fulfilled.
In Islam, Abraham is redefined as a strict monotheist who rejects idolatry, and his primary role is shifted from being the father of the Israelite nation to being the builder of the Kaaba in Mecca.

B. The Sacrifice of His Son: A Radical Change

The Biblical Account:
- God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, the child of promise, but provides a ram as a substitute.
- Genesis 22:2:
  
  "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering."
The Islamic Account:
- The Qur’an presents the same narrative of a test of sacrifice but leaves the son’s name ambiguous.
- Islamic tradition overwhelmingly identifies the son as Ishmael (Ismail) instead of Isaac, shifting the focus to the Arab lineage and Mecca.
- Qur’an 37:102:
  
  "And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you.'"

C. The Kaaba: A Sacred Structure with No Biblical Basis

In Islam, Abraham and Ishmael are credited with building the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam located in Mecca.
Qur’an 2:127:

"And [mention] when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House [Kaaba]."

D. Critical Analysis: Historical Inconsistencies

There is no historical or archaeological evidence linking Abraham to the Kaaba or Mecca.
The biblical narrative is clear that Abraham lived in Canaan (modern Israel/Palestine), not Arabia.
The reinterpretation of the sacrifice and the introduction of the Kaaba are clear theological revisions designed to establish an Islamic narrative that justifies Arab religious leadership through Muhammad.

2. Moses (Musa): The Lawgiver Transformed into a Foreshadower of Muhammad

A. Moses in the Bible: The Lawgiver of Israel

In the Bible, Moses is the prophet who leads the Israelites out of Egypt, receives the Ten Commandments, and establishes the Mosaic Law (Torah).
His mission is explicitly to the Israelites, and his covenant with God is directly tied to them.

B. Moses in the Qur’an: A Preacher of Islamic Monotheism

The Qur’an presents Moses as a strict monotheist who confronts Pharaoh and leads the Israelites to freedom.
His role as a lawgiver is acknowledged, but the Qur’an emphasizes his miracles as signs of Allah’s power.
Qur’an 7:157:

"Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel."

C. A Claimed Prophecy of Muhammad: A Fabrication

Islam claims that Moses foretold the coming of Muhammad, often citing this verse as evidence.
However, no such prophecy exists in the Torah. The Bible’s references to a future prophet (Deuteronomy 18:18) are contextually about a prophet among the Israelites, not an Arab prophet centuries later.
This reinterpretation is an attempt to insert Muhammad into the Jewish prophetic tradition.

D. Critical Analysis: The Problem of Contradictory Law

The Mosaic Law (Torah) is fundamentally different from Sharia (Islamic Law).
The Torah establishes a covenant with the Israelites, including dietary laws, the Sabbath, and the priesthood — none of which are upheld in Islam.
Islam’s claim of continuity is contradicted by its abrogation of these laws.

3. Jesus (Isa): The Divine Savior Reduced to a Muslim Prophet

A. Jesus in the Bible: The Divine Son of God

In the Bible, Jesus is the Son of God, the incarnate Word, and the Savior of humanity.
His mission is defined by his sacrificial death and resurrection for the salvation of all.
John 1:1:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

B. Jesus in the Qur’an: A Prophet but Not Divine

The Qur’an recognizes Jesus as a prophet, born of the Virgin Mary (Maryam), but denies his divinity.
Qur’an 4:171:

"O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah."

C. The Denial of Crucifixion: A Theological Revision

Islam explicitly denies the crucifixion, asserting that Jesus was not killed but raised to heaven.
Qur’an 4:157:

"And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them."

D. The Promise of a Successor: A Fabricated Prophecy

Islam claims that Jesus foretold the coming of Muhammad, identifying Muhammad as the “Ahmad” in the Gospel.
- Qur’an 61:6:
  
  "And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, '…bringing good tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.'"
However, this prophecy has no basis in the New Testament. The term “Ahmad” is not found in any known Gospel text.
This is a clear attempt to reframe Jesus as a precursor to Muhammad rather than the Savior of humanity.

4. Muhammad as the Final Prophet: A Claim Without Historical Basis

A. The Concept of “Khatam an-Nabiyyin” (Seal of the Prophets)

Islam asserts that Muhammad is the final prophet in a long line of prophets, completing the divine message.
Qur’an 33:40:

"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets."

B. A Claim of Continuity That Contradicts the Prophets

Islam claims to affirm the teachings of all previous prophets, yet it fundamentally alters their messages:
- Abraham’s role is shifted from the covenant bearer to the builder of the Kaaba.
- Moses’ prophecy of a successor is reinterpreted as a prophecy of Muhammad.
- Jesus’ mission is reduced from the divine Savior to a prophet who predicted Muhammad.
These are not minor reinterpretations — they are complete theological revisions that contradict the biblical narrative.

5. Conclusion: Islam’s Reinterpretation — A Theological Takeover

Islam does not simply continue the teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus — it rewrites them, transforming these figures into Muslim prophets who align with Islamic theology.
This reinterpretation is necessary for Islam to present itself as the final and perfected religion, but it is achieved by distorting the historical and theological realities of these prophets.
The Qur’an’s claim of confirming previous scriptures is contradicted by its radical reworking of their teachings.