Title: Ishmael or Isaac? Question: The Islamic version states that the covenant between God, Abraham, and his only son Ishmael was made and sealed when Ishmael was supposed to be sacrificed. On the very same day, Abraham, Ishmael, and all the men of Abraham's household were circumcised. At that time, Isaac had not even born: "And Abraham was ninety years old and nine when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him." Genesis 17:24-27 A year later, Isaac was born and circumcised when he was eight days old: "And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him." Genesis 21:4-5 Q-1. What is meant by "Sacrificed" here? Is this some kind of ritual? Q-2. What is meant by "circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin" Q-3. Does this ritual practice today by Muslims or Jews or Christians? In Genesis 22 it is mentioned that Isaac was to be sacrificed. but you will see the contradiction there. It is mentioned "thine ONLY son Isaac." Shouldn't it be "thine ONLY son ISHMAEL," when Ishmael was thirteen years old and Isaac had not even been born? When Isaac was born, Abraham had two sons. Because of chauvinism, the name of Ishmael was changed to Isaac in all of Genesis 22. But God has preserved the word "ONLY" to show us what it should have been. The words "I will multiply thy seed" in Genesis 22:17 was applied earlier to Ishmael in Genesis 16:10. Was not the whole of Genesis 22 applicable to Ishmael then? "I will make him a great nation" has been repeated twice for Ishmael in Genesis 17:20 and Genesis 21:18, and NEVER applied to Isaac at all. Q-4 How far the above is true? Can u please throw some light on the above point? Answer: In this context sacrifice means to offer or give something up as a sign of reverence towards God. The ritual, typically to slaughter an animal, was developed to give homage to God or other deities (e.g. in pagan or polytheistic societies). However, I'd like to point out that the prophet Abraham (i.e. Ibrahim) was never directed to literally sacrifice any of his sons. It was in a dream that he was shown as offering Ishmael's sacrifice, which Abraham, when he became certain that it was from God, implemented it in its literal form. Understanding it as such, Abraham took his "only" son Ishmael to fulfill what he thought the Lord had ordered him to do. The definition is no different than the one given by "The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, which states, "To remove the prepuce of (a male). All three Abrahamic faiths should adhere to this practice. However, some Christians feel that this is not necessary based on Biblical scripture written by Paul of Tarsus. I would agree that the Biblical version of the story is not harmonious within itself; however, I'll refrain from opining as to how this developed. All evidence, Biblical and Qur'anic, points to the personality of Ishmael being the child that was to be sacrificed. Only futile arguments have been made to counter the Islamic position. I hope I have clarified the issue God knows best. Ronnie Hassan July 5, 2003