Selected story
Abraham, Ishmael, and the House
Read the cited context and compare 10 documented textual points.
Comparison 13 of 34
Abraham, Ishmael, and the House
The two accounts at a glance
Bible
World English BibleAbraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away; they travel in the wilderness of Beersheba, and Ishmael lives in the wilderness of Paran.
Qur'an
Sahih InternationalAbraham and Ishmael raise the foundations of the House and pray that their work be accepted.
These are concise account summaries with exact references. Open the complete texts at these passages →
10 documented comparison points
The comparison reads Abraham and Ishmael's complete biblical movements and sanctuary-building record, together with every Qur'anic passage connecting Abraham, Ishmael, the Sacred House, pilgrimage rites, and the barren valley. Labels use one standard: agreement means both texts state the point; additional detail means one adds a non-conflicting detail; omission means one is silent; ambiguity means an identity or meaning is not explicit; contradiction means both texts state mutually exclusive claims. Stylistic wording alone is not counted.
Abraham and Ishmael build the House
Genesis narrates Abraham building altars in Canaan but no joint sanctuary construction with Ishmael.
Abraham and Ishmael raise the foundations of the House and pray for acceptance.
The sanctuary's location
Genesis places Abraham in locations including Canaan, Egypt, the Negev, Hebron, Gerar, Beersheba, and Moriah; it does not name Bakkah or Mecca.
The House stands in an uncultivated valley and is identified as the first sanctuary at Bakkah, linked with Abraham's station.
Ishmael's recorded geography
Ishmael grows in Paran after Hagar wanders near Beersheba; his descendants settle from Havilah to Shur.
The House-building passage places Ishmael with Abraham at the sanctuary; Paran, Beersheba, Havilah, and Shur are not named.
The call to pilgrimage
No biblical Abraham passage commands him to proclaim pilgrimage to all humanity at a sanctuary built with Ishmael.
Abraham is told to proclaim pilgrimage so people will come on foot and lean camels from distant routes.
Pilgrimage rites at the House
Genesis gives no circumambulation, retreat, bowing, prostration, ending of untidiness, vows, or pilgrimage sacrifice connected to a sanctuary built by Abraham and Ishmael.
The House is purified for circumambulation and worship; pilgrims complete rites, fulfill vows, circle the ancient House, and offer livestock.
Abraham's station
No physical station of Abraham is designated as a place of prayer in Genesis.
The station of Abraham is identified as a place of prayer and a sign at the sanctuary.
Prayer for a secure city
Abraham intercedes for Sodom and prays concerning heirs, but does not pray for a secure sanctuary city in a barren valley.
Abraham asks God to make the city secure, protect descendants from idols, incline hearts toward them, and provide fruit.
Prayer for a future messenger
Genesis records promises of blessing through Abraham's offspring but no prayer with Ishmael for a messenger among a sanctuary community to recite revelation.
Abraham and Ishmael ask God to raise a messenger among them to recite signs, teach scripture and wisdom, and purify them.
Sacrifice connected to the sanctuary
Abraham offers sacrifices in named settings and gives Melchizedek a tenth; Israel’s later sanctuary system centers on the tabernacle and the place God chooses.
Livestock sacrifice, feeding the poor, and reverence for sacred rites are tied to pilgrimage at the ancient House.
Isaac and Ishmael at Abraham’s burial
After Abraham’s death, Isaac and Ishmael together bury him at Machpelah.
Q 2 places Abraham and Ishmael together raising the House and praying; it does not narrate Abraham’s burial or date the House episode relative to Genesis’s separation and burial scenes.
What do both texts share?
- Both texts identify Ishmael as Abraham’s son.