Abraham's Children: Jew Christian Muslim Commonality and Conflict
By Anne Davison
()
About this ebook
This book shows how close Judaism, Christianity and Islam are in terms of their history and beliefs. It has been written mainly for those who are less familiar with Islam and so there is an emphasis on the early Islamic history. However, it is hoped that readers of all Faiths or none, may find the content of interest, particularly in the present climate where an understanding of the history of Islam is important.
Starting with the Patriarch Abraham, who is revered by people of all three Faiths, the book takes a broadly historical approach tracing throughout areas of commonality and conflict. Separate chapters are devoted to Abraham, Prophecy, Islamic Expansion, the Shi’a and finally ‘Holy War’ and in each chapter the topic is discussed from the perspective of each Faith.
Finally, the Epilogue contains a brief reflection on the current situation in relations between the three Faiths, particularly in the context of the Middle East post 9/11.
As with other books in the 'In Brief' series, this book is aimed at the general reader who wants to understand a particular historical topic but doesn’t have the time or inclination to read a heavy academic tome. With this mind, footnotes have been omitted. However, the reader will find a small selection of the main works that are referred to at the end. The book is written in an accessible style and includes useful maps and charts. It should appeal to the general reader with no previous knowledge of the subject.
Anne Davison
Canon Doctor Anne Davison has had a lifelong interest in history and the religions of the world. Her journey into understanding other cultures began in her early 20s when she lived in Lagos, Nigeria. Later, a job with British Airways gave her the chance to travel the world more widely.When she became aware of a global increase in religious intolerance she felt the need to better understand our world, past and present. She was particularly interested in how ‘religion’ interacts with politics. This led her to study for a Degree in History and Comparative religion, followed by a PhD in inter religious relations.Whilst living in Switzerland in the 1990s Anne took on the role of Vice Moderator of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, before moving back to London to work with the Church of England as an Adviser in Inter Religious Relations.In addition to organising pilgrim groups to Israel and Lebanon, Anne co-ordinated a Youth Exchange Programme for 16 to 18 year- old Jews, Christians and Muslims between Jerusalem and East London. In recognition of her work in inter-religious relations Anne was made a Lay Canon of the Church of England.Since retiring from the Church of England she has lectured on many cruise ships and in the UK for the Arts SocietyIt was in response to people asking for her lecture notes, that in 2013 Anne decided to write her first book: From the Medes to the Mullah: A History of Iran. She has just published her ninth book on A History of China.She remains convinced that many of the problems facing the world today are the result of an ignorance that can lead to intolerance at best and hatred at worst.She firmly believes that one way to combat this ignorance is to promote a better understanding of our diverse world. Anne likes to think that by offering lectures and writing short, accessible books, she is playing her part in a small way.
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Abraham's Children - Anne Davison
ABRAHAM’S CHILDREN
Jew Christian Muslim
Commonality and Conflict
‘In Brief’ Series: Books for Busy People
by Anne Davison
Smashwords Edition
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Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author
Copyright2014 Anne Davison
Cover designed by Karen Turner
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction
Chapter One: Abraham
Chapter Two: The Prophet
Chapter Three: Expansion
Chapter Four: The Shi’a
Chapter Five: Holy War
Conclusion
Epilogue
Works referred to
About the Author
Other Books in the ‘In Brief’ Series
MAPS
Semitic Migrations c 4,000 BCE
Canaan c 2,000 BCE
Family Tree of Abraham
Family Tree of Muhammad
The First Four Caliphs
Arabia c 640 CE
The Shi’a
PREFACE
This is the fourth book in the ‘In Brief’ Series: Books for Busy People. Unlike the previous books that were based on a series of lectures, this is the culmination of many years working in the field of inter-religious relations and particularly the relationship between the three Abrahamic Faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The aim of this book is to attempt to show how close these three monotheistic Faiths are in terms of their history and beliefs. It has been written mainly for those who are less familiar with Islam and so there is an emphasis on the early Islamic history. However, it is hoped that readers of all Faiths or none, may find the content of interest, particularly in the present climate where an understanding of the history of Islam is important.
Starting with the Patriarch Abraham, who is revered by people of all three Faiths, the book takes a broadly historical approach tracing throughout areas of commonality and conflict. Separate chapters are devoted to Abraham, Prophecy, Islamic Expansion, the Shi’a and finally ‘Holy War’ and in each chapter the topic is discussed from the perspective of each Faith.
Finally, the Epilogue contains a brief reflection on the current situation in relations between the three Faiths, particularly in the context of the Middle East post 9/11.
As with other books in the series, this book is aimed at the general reader who wants to understand a particular historical topic but does not have the time or inclination to read a heavy academic tome. With this mind, footnotes have been omitted. However, the reader will find a small selection of the main works that are referred to at the end.
I would like to thank those friends and colleagues who gave of their time to read through various chapters and offered helpful comments.
INTRODUCTION
According to Scriptural tradition Jews, Christians and Muslims trace their descent from the Patriarch Abraham. As a consequence, the three religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are referred to as the Abrahamic Faiths and they have many things in common. Equally, even though they are members of the same family, or perhaps because they are siblings, or cousins, they have frequently come into conflict.
This book attempts to highlight both those areas of commonality between the Faiths and also address some of the key moments of conflict. Taking the life of Abraham as a starting point, we will highlight the various moments in history where the Faiths have either peacefully co-existed or come into conflict.
Scholars debate the dating for the life of Abraham and some even question his historicity. Traditionally the Patriarch has been placed around the 2nd millennium BCE. However, modern scholars, taking account of the archaeological evidence and biblical texts, are more inclined to place him in the 1st millennium BCE.
Whatever the truth may be about dating or historicity, for the purpose of our narrative, the exact dating is not relevant. What is relevant is how Jews, Christians and Muslims identify themselves in relation to the life and person of Abraham. In this respect Abraham’s sons Ishmael and Isaac are key figures, because while the People of Israel and thereby Jews and Christians, understand themselves as descendants of Isaac, Muslims believe themselves to be descended from Ishmael.
All three Faiths view Abraham as a model of the perfect man of faith who showed absolute trust in, and obedience to, the One God. Islam also stresses that from an early age Abraham had a strong sense that there was only one God and he is therefore recognised as the father of monotheism.
Our only knowledge of Abraham is taken from Scripture, whether the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament or the Qur’an. However, within all three Faiths there are different schools of thought on interpretation of the text, from a literalist view to a more liberal approach.
While recognising and respecting those within all three Faiths who take a conservative approach to Scripture, an attempt will also be made to address some of these issues from a historical, non-confessional standpoint.
For example, there are those who do not necessarily adhere to any particular Faith but are nevertheless interested in the story of Abraham and his covenant with God from a purely historical perspective. Such an interest is often provoked by debates, sometimes heated, between people across the religious divide, who point to their respective Scriptural text as having a status of divine authority. An example here would be the sensitive issue of Jerusalem and the Holy Land and conflicting views between Jews and Muslims, both of whom point to their own relevant texts in support of their argument.
Starting with Abraham, our narrative follows the history of Islam and Islam’s interaction with Judaism and Christianity. This historical approach is important because while all three Faiths have their own unique historical narrative, this is particularly important for Jews and Muslims. For example, Jews recall the story of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, an event that took place thousands of years ago, in their daily liturgy and Muslims look back to Muhammad’s