Wednesday, May 23, 2012

12/13/06, Opinion-Editorial, printed in The Advocate of Eldersburg and Skyesville (Maryland)

(Printed in The Advocate of Eldersburg and Skyesville, December 13, 2006, as an Opinion-Editorial)



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“The Patriarch Abraham Unites Religions”

By Shahina Bashir

I love the holiday season. There is so much hustle and bustle and good in the air.

It is almost difficult not to get into the joy that revolves around this time of the year.

Hanukkah is starting on Friday, followed by Christmas on Dec. 25 and the Islamic holiday of Eidul Adha on Dec.31. Is it just a mere coincidence?

The patriarch Abraham had two sons by two different wives. His eldest son was Ishmael, whose mother was Hagar, and his younger son was Isaac, whose mother was Sarah. It was through these two sons that three major monotheistic religions of the world came into existence.

Abraham is the father to 12 million Jews, 2 billion Christians and 1 billion Muslims.

Jews give importance to Moses, Christians to Jesus and Muhammad is the prophet of Islam, however, all three religions see Abraham as a common link.

The Bible states that God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants.

“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant … ” (Genesis: 17:7).

Through the genealogy of Isaac came the two major religions, Judaism and Christianity. The Bible did not forget about Ishmael — “And also the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.”

It is through Ishmael and his progeny Muhammad that the religion of Islam came into being.

What does the Quran say about Abraham?

“And remember when his Lord tried Abraham with certain commands which he fulfilled. He said, ‘I will make thee a Leader of men.’ Abraham asked, ‘And from among my offspring?’ He said, ‘My covenant does not embrace the transgressors’” (2:125).

The implication being that the pious among his progeny would be leaders in their communities.

So, God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled in the persons of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

In today’s world where there is so much mistrust of each other, it is only here in the United States where three monotheistic religions’ followers can practice their faiths freely, side by side.

Yet we see the insecurity that exists amongst the American people with regard to the Muslims in this country. This sort of insecurity can be removed if one looks at the history and studies the similarities, which exist among the three great monotheistic religions.

If you are a Jew, then invite a non-Jewish friend to be a witness to Hanukkah.

If you are a Christian, then invite a non-Christian friend to join in Christmas celebrations.

Similarly, if you are a Muslim, then invite a non-Muslim friend to your Eid celebrations.

Well, as for me? I had better get all my Hanukkah, Christmas and Eid cards sent out before the holiday season is over.

— Shahina Bashir teaches at Aleem Academy, a Muslim private school for grades pre-K through fifth grade, in Sykesville.


Editor's Note: The Advocate of Eldersburg and Skyesville is a free weekly community newspaper serving the communities of Eldersburg and Skyesville in Maryland.

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