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Muhammad in the Bible David Benjamin KeldaniEdited & Annotated by: Prof. Dawud M. R. Alhanbali & Prof, Dr. Kaseb A. Albadran ( 15 )xv. 4). This promise was fulfilled when Ishmael was born (Gen. xvi.), and Abraham (pbuth) had the consolation that his chiefservant Eliezer would no longer be his heir. Consequently, we must admit that Ishmael (pbuh)wasthe real and legitimate heir of Abraham’sspiritual dignity and privileges. The prerogative that “by Abraham (pbuh) all the generations ofthe earth shall be blessed, “so often repeated —though in different forms— was the heritage by birthright, and was the patrimony of Ishmael (pbuh). The inheritance to which Ishmael was entitled by birthright was not the tent in which Abraham (pbuth) lived or a certain camel upon which he used to ride, but to subjugate and occupy forever all the territories extending from the Nile to the Euphrates, which were inhabited by some ten different nations (xvii. 18-21). These lands have never been subdued by the descendants of Isaac (pbuh), but by those of Ishmael (pbuh). Thisis an actual and literal fulfilment of one of the conditions contained in the Covenant.The third point is that Isaac (pbuh) was also born miraculously and specially blessed by the Almighty, that for his people the land of Canaan was promised and actually occupied under Joshua. No Muslim everthinks of disparaging the sacred and prophetical position of Isaac and his son Jacob (pbuth), for to disparage or to lower a Prophet is an impiety. When we compare Ishmael and Isaac (pbuth), we cannot but reverence and respect them both as holy servants of God. In fact, the people of Israel,with its Law and sacred Scriptures, have had a unique religious history in the Old World. They were indeed the Chosen People of God. Although that people have often rebelled against God, and fallen into idolatry, yet they have given to the world myriads of prophets and righteous men and women.So far, there could be no real point of controversy between the descendants of Ishmael (pbuh) and the people of Israel. For if by “Bless-