They say Isaac, we say Ishmael

Each one of us has faced some tribulation at some point in our life: poverty, starvation, illness, fear, or distress are all things we hate to experience and when we do, we pray that they vanish fast. One can even face death and believe this is the ultimate of trials. Not so for Abraham who saw a vision in his dream that he was sacrificing his own son, Ishmael (Jews and Christians believe it was Isaac.) He then understood that it was a divine command and he knew he must carry it out. The Quran tells us how the father approached his son: “Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: ‘O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!’ (The son) said: ‘O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!’" (37:102)

Both father and son exhibiliriated true submission in their quick obedience to the command of God and His will. It was only then, at this moment of extreme and unquestioned submission, that God spared the blessed family. “So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah., and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice.) We called out to him ‘O Abraham!’ ‘Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!’ - thus indeed do We reward those who do right. For this was obviously a trial.” (37:103-106)

Every year, millions of Muslims commemorate this divine test during the rituals of Hajj (Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia.) A fourty feet masonic cubic structure, the Ka'ba stands in the center of worship, attracting pilgrims since the father of Abrahamic faiths built it with his son Ishmael in accordance with God's commandments. The Ka'ba is also the direction to which today's 1.4 billion Muslims pray five times a day after Mohammad became the seal of the prophets, 1430 years ago. United in worship, the community of Muslims that come from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds stands under One God, breathes one faith, and follows one light. This is the beauty of Islam.

Abraham: the path where three monotheistic voices meet

The path where the three great monotheistic religions meet is Abraham, the biblical patriarch. Muslims, who call him Ibraheem in Arabic, consider him the father of all prophets. The Quran mentions him 63 times in 24 of its 114 chapters (second most mentioned prophet after Moses.) Ibraheem is also known as the friend of God, or "Khaleel Allah." He has discovered monotheism through his personal quest of the Divine, without any messenger's guidance. His passion for God made him eschew all idolatry that was a traditional heritage of his father and society. He determined to leave behind all preconception and prejudgment to explore his true Creator. Similarly, Christians and Jews share the same reverence for Ibraheem or Abraham as the Genesis states that in exchange for his recognition of "Yahweh" as his God, God promised Abraham that all the nations will be blessed through his offspring.

Practicing the virtues attributed to Abraham are highlighted in Genesis and in the Quran. For example, in John, 8, the Jews say (33): "We are the seed of Abraham," and Jesus (peace upon him) replies (39): "If ye be the children of Abraham, do the works of Abraham." The Quran commends Ibraheem's attributes of patience, submission, and covenant fulfillment: "For, behold, Abraham was most clement, most tender-hearted, intent upon turning to God again and again." (Chapter 11, verse 75) It commands Mohammad (peace upon him) and his followers to take Ibraheem as a model based on the virtues he possessed: "Verily, Abraham was a man who combined within himself all virtues, devoutly obeying God's will, turning away from all that is false, and not being of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God: [for he was always] grateful for the blessings granted by Him who had elected him and guided him onto a straight way." (Chapter 16, verses 120-1) "We have inspired thee, [O Muhammad, with this message:] follow the creed of Abraham, who turned away from all that is false, and was not of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God. (16:123)

Islam preconditions the faith of any Muslim with belief in the religion of Ibraheem: "Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Ibraheem, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered." (2:136) This may come as a surprise to many non-Muslims but the fact that Muslims must believe in all prophets and their true revelations is a must in their doctrinal beliefs. Perhaps this is where the path where the three Abrahamic religions meet: Abraham is one revelation with one conversation with one God, the God of Abraham. One revelation, in three voices, has more in common than they think they know. This is the crossroad where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam meet. It should be a unifying factor against diversity and enmity; under One God.

Dusting off our Differences

How do we mend our differences? How can we ensure that we coexist despite our ideological, cultural, social and religious differences? How do we practice tolerance when our hearts and minds feel the gap between cultures?

I would start by finding common grounds first: there is a lot more in common between Muslims and non Muslims than we realize. First, God created us all and sustains us all. We all believe in God and pray to Him. We are united by humanity. Citizenship also unites us. We all live in America, and no, not all Muslims hate America and want to destroy it. Only the fanatics, who are a minute minority but unfortunately get all media attention, do. Muslims are overwhelmingly peaceful and loving. Those who choose America as their homeland want to raise their offspring in a coexistent atmosphere.

But then, you might wonder, we are still different. Of course we are, because God created us different in color, race, culture, abilities, skills, languages... In the Quran, Allah (Arabic translation for God; even Arab Christians call him Allah) says: "...If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues..." (5:48) So different we are, but divided we should not be.

Once we establish common grounds, resolving our differences starts with the purification of our hearts. A heart is a wonderful gift that transcends through the human character. But when filled with hatred and bigotry, that also transcends into our behavior and attitudes. Therefore, we need to aspire to cleanse our hearts from all negative feelings. Call it anger management, call it finding peace and healing, or call it neurological programing as long as you get the picture. Even Muslims are required to cleanse their hearts as Prophet Mohammad (peace upon him) preached us: "Do not have enmity against each other." (Bukhari)

Then we need to understand that if the other has a different ideology he is not necessarily an enemy. Muslims in America suffer from this attitude as America looks at them as enemies of the state simply because they worship differently. If I wear head covering and abstain from consuming alcohol, then I no longer can fit with the American lifestyle. In other words, I can't be American; I am different. Says who? What happened to freedom of speech, religion, and expression?

Finally, you might purify your heart and decide to tolerate the other, but the other actually won't tolerate you. In that case, you keep your smile on your face and find them plenty of excuses for being rude. That bearded man who just came into the store without saying hi might be deaf or might be simply having a bad day. Muslims are allowed to have mood swings, right? I believe this is a universally accepted situation. And by the way, I am also addressing Muslims too: please don't start thinking this clerk is a bigot just because he did not salute you. He might have just been dumped by his wife.


"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." (President Barack Hussein Obama: Inaugural address, January 21, 2009)