Muslims understand Islam to be the religion of Abraham, like wise, in Christianity, Abraham stood to be a very prominent figure during the old testament days. Stories of Abraham as described in the Bible have been confirmed in bits in the Qur'an. It's been discovered that Abraham's name was mentioned sixty mine (69) times in the Qur'an, more than any other biblical figures except for Moses who was mentioned one hundred and thirty seven (137) times. The Qur'an is familiar with some of the biblical stories about Abraham, including his journey to the promised land (Qur’an 21:71-73), the annunciation of Isaac (Qur’an 11:69-74, Qur’an 15:51-56, Qur’an 51:24-30), God's command for Abraham to sacrifice his son (Qur’an 37:99-113), and Abraham's interaction with Lot and the angels (Qur’an 11:74-83, Qur’an 29:28-35, Qur’an 51:31-37.
Abraham is credited with establishing both the sanctuary in Mecca known as the "Kaaba" and the practice of Islamic pilgrimage (Haj) to that site (Qur’an 22:26-27, Qur’an 3:96-97, Qur’an 2:125-129).
Ishmael, a figure in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and the Qur'an, was Abraham's first son according to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Ishmael was born to Abraham and Sarah's Egyptian handmaiden Hagar (Hājar) (Genesis 16:3). According to the Genesis account, he died at the age of 137 (Genesis 25:17). The origin of Islam could be traced in the Bible (Genesis 16: 6-12). The story goes thus; In those days, Sarah, Abraham’s wife asked him to sleep with their handmaiden, Hagar because they were with no child and age wasn't on their side, and Abraham agreed. After that, Hagar became pregnant, and because she could get pregnant and Sarah couldn't, she despised her. Sarah became troubled by Hagar's behavior towards her and she then reported Hagar to Abraham, who replied her saying “Your slave is in your hands, do with her whatever you think best.” Sarah began to maltreat Hagar and so she fled from her. The angel of the lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur, and he asked her where she came from and where she was going. Hagar told the angel that she had fled from her mistress Sarah because she was been maltreated. Then the angel of the Lord told her to go back to Sarah and submit to her, and that the Lord will increase her descendants and make them numerous.
The angel also said something of note which over the years have become a controversial topic as it seems to explain the behaviors of certain extremist Muslim groups. The angel of the Lord said to her: “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be
against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.
From this narrative, It is believed that the religion Islam was born on the day of the birth of Ishmael and from his descendants. Also, an arguable conclusion could be reached from this Bible narrative that
both Islam and Christianity originated from Abraham.
