Page:Judaism and Islam, a prize essay - Geiger - 1898.pdf/113

 ABRAHAM TO MOSES. 95

for rae to give any more exact explanation from Jewish writings.

C. Abraham to Moses.

Though the saints mentioned earlier bore some likeness to Muhammad, and though their condition, so similar to his own, encouraged him as well as verified his statements, yet Abraham * was his great prototype, the man of whom he thought most highly, and the one with whom he liked best to compare himself and to make out as one with him- self in opinion. Abraham's faith 2 is that which is preached in the Quran. 3 He was a believer in the unity of God. 4 He was neither Jew nor Christian for it is written : 5 <c Abraham was not a Jew, nor a Christian, but he was a believer in the unity of God, given up to God (a Muslim)." 6

2 E. 3 Sura XVI. 124

a 4 JLbL Sura II. 129, III. 60, VI. 79, XVI. 121, 124.

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5 Sura II. 134,

6 On this Baidhawi has the following :

" The Jews and the Christians disputed about Abraham, and each party believed they could count him on their side. They appealed to Muhammad and thereupon came this revelation. The meaning is, that Judaism and Christianity first came into existence by the sending of the Law through Moses and the Gospel through Jesus." That this is the Jewish view is shown by the following passage :

" Our forefather Abraham observed the whole Law, for it is written (Genesis, xxvi. 5.) : " Because Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws." (Yoma r xxviii. 2).