Was Abraham a Jew?

This morning, Sunday, on Radio 4, I listened to an interesting presentation about the life of the Prophet Abraham, Peace be up on him, whose heritage is claimed by the three monotheistic communities of faith; Jews, Christians and Islam.

Two points mentioned in this presentation require a response.

1- Although all three religious traditions claim their faith is directly inherited from Abraham, is Abraham relevant any more in our time?
2- One participant, a Jewish rabbi, said that Abraham was the first Jew.

References to the above two points can be read in the Quran itself, as the same question and claims were made in the time of the Prophet Muhammad himself.

With regards to the first question, the Quran says: ‘and then we have revealed to you (O Muhammad) that you follow the religion of Abraham and that he was not of polytheists’.

This shows that what was relevant in the time of Abraham was also relevant at the time of Muhammad. The Quran mentions a common thread between the teachings of the two great Prophets, Peace be upon them; belief in the Oneness of Allah and the avoidance of polytheism.

Polytheism negates the legitimate authority of the Creator and creates shadowy gods without any proof and logic.

This one essential message, common to all three religions throughout human development and history since the time of Adam, remains relevant to all peoples, in terms of their faith, practices and essential ethical values, to this day.

Abraham, represented in the teachings of all the prophets and Messengers, is as relevant in our time as he was in the time of Muhammad. Unfortunately, the rejection of faith and the entertaining of doubts with no firm evidence to support them, or ‘diluting’ the authority of the Creator, is as fashionable in our time as it was in the times of the prophets.

Yet many find Abraham irrelevant, including people from the three monotheistic communities, when comparing the present, in terms of material and scientific developments, to his time. But do we still entertain the questions such as, who are we? Where do we come from? Why are we here? What happens to us once we die? Is there a life after death or a hereafter?

Do we still not approve of the best of human characteristics like truthfulness, goodness and trustworthiness? Do we not disapprove off negative human qualities, like lying, betrayal and slander? God’s teachings, through His prophets and Messengers, confirm both the positive human qualities and negative ones.

As to the second question; was Abraham the first Jew, I find it quite irrational. If he was the first Jew then surely he was the first Arab as well, Ishmael being his eldest son.

The Quran dealt with this question long ago, when it said: ‘Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; but surely someone who was devoutly committed to God and a Muslim (someone who bowed his will to God).

Racially all Arabs and Jews are the children of Abraham. As Abraham came from the land now known as Iraq, one could claim he was of Arabic origin, though I am not quite sure if the people of Iraq at that time had Arab or Persian origins.

However, Islam teaches us look at Abraham in non-racial terms.

Abraham was a prophet and the connecting bond is the spiritual following of his teachings. The Quran says: ‘the closest of people to Abraham are those who followed him (in his teachings) and this prophet (Muhammad) and those who believed (in him)’.

Abraham was all about a total spiritual commitment to God with his continuous endeavours to be upright in his faith. That is why the Quran called him the imam (leader of the spiritual community to God) and an Ummah (nation) in himself.