Abraham and List of political parties in Japan: Difference between pages

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'''Abraham''' ('''אַבְרָהָם''' "Father/Leader of many", [[Standard Hebrew]] '''Avraham''', [[Tiberian Hebrew]] '''ʾAḇrāhām'''; [[Arabic language|Arabic]] '''ابراهيم''' '''Ibrāhīm''', [[Sanskrit]]'''ब्रह्म''' [[Brahma]], [[Brahmana]]) is the [[patriarch]] of [[Judaism]], recognized by [[Christianity]], and a very important [[prophet]] in [[Islam]]. The story of his life is told in the [[Book of Genesis]] and in the [[Quran]].

{{Politics of Japan}}

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are sometimes referred to as the "[[Abrahamic religion]]s" because of the role Abraham plays in their holy books and beliefs. In the [[Hebrew Bible]] and the [[Qur'an]], Abraham is described as a patriarch blessed by God and promised great things, father of the People of Israel through his son [[Isaac]], and of the Ishmaelites, generally identified as the [[Arab]]s, through his son [[Ishmael]]. In Islam, Abraham is considered to be one of the most important of the many prophets sent by God. Christian belief considers Abraham's attempt to offer up Isaac as a foreshadowing of God's offering of his son, Jesus.

'''Political parties in Japan''' lists [[political party|political parties]] in [[politics of Japan|Japan]].

<!--:''The general rule on naming applies. That means: the parties are named in the English translation and the original native name is placed on the first line of the article unless the native form is more commonly used in English than the English form. Rationale and specifics: See: [[Wikipedia:Naming conventions (use English)]]''.-->

His original name was '''Abram''' ('''&#1488;&#1463;&#1489;&#1456;&#1512;&#1464;&#1501;''' "High/Exalted father/leader", [[Standard Hebrew]] '''Avram''', [[Tiberian Hebrew]] '''&#702;A&#7687;r&#257;m'''); he was the foremost of the [[Bible|Biblical]] [[Patriarchs (Bible)|patriarchs]]. Later in life he went by the name Abraham. There is no contemporary mention of his life, and no source earlier than Genesis mentions him, so it is difficult to know if he was a historical figure. If he was, he probably lived between [[2166 BC]] and [[1991 BC]].

==Major parties==

[[Voltaire]] was of the opinion that Abraham descended from some of the numerous Brahman [[priests]] who left [[India]] to spread their teachings throughout the world; and in support of his thesis he presented the following elements: the similarity of names and the fact that the city of [[Ur]], land of the patriarchs, was near the border of [[Persia]], the road to India, where that Brahman had been born.

*[[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic Party]] (LDP) ''Jiyū Minshū-tō'', or ''Jimin-tō'' 自民党([[Conservatism|conservative]], 1955-)

**The LDP is Japan's largest political party and the senior partner in the current governing coalition. Prime Minister [[Shinzo Abe]] is a member of this political party. It is a [[Conservatism|conservative]] party of the [[right-wing]] and is made up of various conservative and reformist factions. The LDP has been in power almost continuously since [[1955]], when it was formed as a merger of early postwar Japan's two conservative parties, the [[Liberal Party of Japan, Occupation]], and the [[Democrat Party of Japan, Occupation]]. The party is characterized as being very conservative on social and foreign matters.

*[[Democratic Party of Japan]] (DPJ) ''Minshūtō'' ([[social liberalism|social liberal]] 1998-)民主党

**The DPJ is Japan's second largest party and leads the opposition. It is a [[social liberalism|social liberal]] party. It is the largest opposition party, and was formed in the late 1990s as a result of the merger of several anti-LDP parties. Quite [[Liberalism|liberal]] and oppositional on key issues, as well as moderately [[social-democratic]]. It is against the Iraq war, and was led by Seiji Maehara until the end of March 2006, when he resigned due to a crisis involving a DPJ member (Hisayasu Nagata) making false allegations that the son of LDP Secretary-General ([[Tsutomu Takebe]]) illicitly received money from former [[Livedoor]] president [[Takafumi Horie]]. As of [[April 5]][[2006]], [[Naoto Kan]] and [[Ichiro Ozawa]] are running for DPJ party president.

*[[New Komeito]]* ''Komeitō'' ([[Conservatism|conservative]], [[theocratic]] [[Buddhist]], 1998-)公明党

**formerly [[Komeito (Former)]] ([[centrist]], [[theocratic]] [[Buddhist]], 1964-1998)

**formerly [[Komei Political Assembly]] ([[centrist]], [[theocratic]] [[Buddhist]], 1961-1964)

**The Shin Komeito Party (Japanese name for the New Komeito) is Japan's third largest party and the governing party's junior partner. It was formerly known as the [[Clean Government Political Assembly]] and the [[Komeito (Former)|Komeito]]. The party is a [[Conservatism|conservative]] party of the [[right-wing]], but it is also well supported by organizations like the [[Soka Gakkai]], a sect of [[Nichiren Buddhism]]. Therefore, it is also considered a [[theocratic]] Buddhist party. It has moderated its stance however. Because it is partners with the LDP, it is unopposed to the war in Iraq. It is now led by [[Takenori Kanzaki]].

*[[Japanese Communist Party]] (JCP) ''Nihon Kyōsan-tō'' (communist, 1922-)日本共産党

**The Japanese Communist Party is Japan's fourth largest party and the middle partner of the opposition coalition. It is a [[moderate]] [[communist]] party of the [[left-wing]]. Though it is communist, it is not against religion and does not want the [[emperor]] to step down. It supports multi-party democracy and does not advocate the imposition of radical change on Japanese society. It is considered pacifist and skeptical of the [[United States]].

*[[Social Democratic Party (Japan)]] (SDP) ''Shakai Minshūtō'', or ''Shamin-tō'' (socialist, 1996-)　社民党

** formerly [[Japan Socialist Party]] (JSP) ''Nihon Shakai-tō'' (socialist, 1945-1996)日本社会党

***a breakaway group formerly known as the [[Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)]], now defunct, (social-democratic, 1960-1996)

****in 1948 split up into the [[Rightist Socialist Party of Japan]], (moderate social-democratic, 1948-1955), and [[Leftist Socialist Party of Japan]], (extreme socialist, 1948-1955), in 1955, reunified into JSP.

**The Social Democrat Party of Japan is Japan's fifth largest party and the junior partner in the opposition coalition. It is a [[moderate]] [[social-democratic]] party of the [[left-wing]]. It is seen more as a [[moderate]] social-democratic, and [[populist]] party rather than a [[revolutionary]] [[socialist]] party. It grew out of the [[Japan Socialist Party]] and the [[Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)]] It is opposed to the war in Iraq.

== Minor parties==

The name of [[Brahma]] was highly respected in [[India]], and his influence spread throughout [[Persia]] as far as the lands bathed by the rivers Euphrates and Tigris. The Persians adopted Brahma and made him their own. Later they would say that the [[God]] arrived from [[Bactria]], a mountainous region situated midway on the road to India. (pp. 46-47.)

*[[Liberal League]] ''Jiyu Rengo'' (liberal, 1994-)

**The Liberal League is a [[right-wing]] party in Japan, which, despite its name, is actually [[Conservatism|conservative]]. The Liberal League has 1 seat in the Diet.

*Other minor parties

**Japan has other minor parties with national support, mostly with [[communist]] and [[socialist]] ideologies, as well as a few [[nationalist]], [[reformist]], and far [[right-wing]] parties.

*Dissidents from the LDP formed the following parties in 2005 :

***[[People's New Party]] (PNP) ''Kokumin Shintō'' ([[Conservatism|conservative]], 2005-)

***[[New Party Nippon]] (NPN) ''Shintō Nippon'' (2005-)

***[[New Party Daichi]] (NPD) ''Shintō Daichi'' (2005-)

===Existing national parties represented in the Diet in the past===

Bactria (a region of ancient Afghanistan) was the locality of a prototypical Jewish nation called Juhuda or Jaguda, also called Ur-Jaguda. Ur meant "place or town." Therefore, the bible was correct in stating that Abraham came from "Ur of the Chaldeans." "[[Chaldean]]," more correctly [[Kaul-Deva]] (Holy Kauls), was not the name of a specific ethnicity but the title of an ancient [[Hindu Brahmanical priestly caste]] who lived in what are now [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]], and the Indian state of [[Kashmir]].

Current political parties that used to be in the Diet but aren't currently represented:

"The tribe of Ioud or the Brahmin Abraham, was expelled from or left the Maturea of the kingdom of Oude in India and, settling in Goshen, or the house of the Sun or Heliopolis in Egypt, gave it the name of the place which they had left in India, Maturea." (Anacalypsis; Vol. I, p. 405.)

* [[Dainiin Club]] ''Dainiin Kurabu'' ([[centrist]], 1983-)

"He was of the religion or sect of Persia, and of Melchizedek."(Vol. I, p. 364.)

* [[New Socialist Party (Japan)|New Socialist Party]] ''Shin Shakai To'' (socialist, 1996-)

* [[Sports and Peace Party]] ''Supotsu Heiwa To'' (centrist, 1989-)

* ''[[Takeru]]'' (centrist, 2001-)

===Other parties===

"The [[Persians]] also claim [[Ibrahim]], i.e. [[Abraham]], for their founder, as well as the Jews. Thus we see that according to all ancient history the Persians, the Jews, and the Arabians are descendants of Abraham.(p.85) ...We are told that Terah, the father of Abraham, originally came from an Eastern country called Ur, of the Chaldees or Culdees, to dwell in a district called Mesopotamia. Some time after he had dwelt there, [[Abraham]], or [[Abram]], or [[Brahma]], and his wife [[Sara]] or [[Sarai]], or [[Sara-iswati]], left their father's family and came into Canaan. The identity of Abraham and Sara with Brahma and Saraiswati was first pointed out by the Jesuit missionaries."(Vol. I; p. 387.)

* [[Rainbow and Greens]] ''Niji to Midori'' (green)

* ''[[Ishin Seito Shimpu]]'' (far-right, 1995-)

* [[Women's Party]] ''Josei To'' (Feminist, 1993-)

* [[Internet Breakthrough Party of Japan]] (Led by Iron Chef Comentator and Judge and former LDP member Shinichiro Kurimoto)

===Regional parties===

[[Image:Abraham.jpg|thumb|300px|right|"Abraham Sacrificing Isaac" by Laurent de LaHire, 1650]]

Some of the main regional parties represented in regional assemblies:

==Abraham in Genesis==

The account of his life is found in the Book of [[Genesis]], beginning in Chapter 11, at the close of a [[genealogy]] of the sons of [[Shem]] (which includes among its members [[Eber]], the [[eponym]] of the [[Hebrews]]).

* [[Kanagawa Network Movement]] ''Kanagawa Nettowaku Undo'' (Yokohama, socialist)

His father [[Terah]] came from [[Ur]] of the [[Chaldea|Chaldees]], identified by most historians with the ancient city in southern [[Mesopotamia]] which was under the rule of the Chaldeans &mdash; although some believe that "Ur" should be identified with [[Urfa]] (or [[Ur-Of-The-Khaldis]]) in northern Mesopotamia, in keeping with the local tradition that Abraham was born in Urfa; or with the nearby [[Urkesh]], which others identify with "Ur of the Chaldees". They also say "Chaldees" refers to a group of gods called [[Khaldis]] while the [[Urartian language]] is also known as Chaldaean thanks to Josephus. Abram migrated to Haran, apparently the classical [[Carrhae]], on a branch of the [[Habor]]. Thence, after a short stay, he, his wife [[Sarah|Sarai]], [[Lot (biblical)|Lot]] (the son of Abram's brother Haran), and all their followers, departed for [[Canaan]]. There are two possible Ur cities not far from Haran; Ura and Urfa, a northern Ur also being mentioned in tablets at [[Ugarit]], [[Nuzi]], and [[Ebla]]. These possibly refer to Ur, URA, and Urau (See BAR January 2000, page 16). Moreover, the names of Abram's forefathers Peleg, Serug, Nahor and Terah, all appear as names of cities in the region of Haran (Harper's Bible Dictionary, page 373). [[Yahweh]] called Abram to go to "the land I will show you", and promised to bless him and make him (though hitherto childless) a great nation. Trusting this promise, Abram journeyed down to [[Shechem]], and at the sacred tree (compare Gen. 25:4, [[Book of Joshua|Joshua]] 24:26, [[Book of Judges|Judges]] 9:6) received a new promise that the land would be given unto his seed (descendant or descendants). Having built an [[altar]] to commemorate the [[theophany]], he removed to a spot between [[Bethel]] and [[Ai (biblical)|Ai]], where he built another altar and called upon (i.e. invoked) the name of Yahweh (Gen. 12:1-9).

* [[Seikatsusha Network]] ''Seikatsusha Nettowaku'' (Tokyo, socialist)

* [[Okinawa Social Mass Party]] ''Okinawa Shakai Taishu To'' (Okinawa, socialist)

*[[Green Niigata]], ''Midori Niigata'' (Niigata, communist)

**formerly [[Niigata New Party for People]], ''Shimin Shin-to Niigata'' (Niigata, communist)

==Defunct parties==

Here he dwelt for some time, until strife arose between his herdsmen and those of Lot. Abram thereupon proposed to Lot that they should separate, and allowed his nephew the first choice. Lot preferred the fertile land lying east of the [[Jordan River]], whilst Abram, after receiving another promise from Yahweh, moved down to the oaks of [[Mamre]] in [[Hebron]] and built an altar.

* [[Association of Independents]] ''Mushozoku no Kai'' (centrist, 1999-2004)

In the subsequent history of Lot and the destruction of [[Sodom and Gomorrah]], Abram appears prominently in a passage where he intercedes with Yahweh on behalf of Sodom, and is promised that if ten righteous men can be found therein the city shall be preserved (18:16-33).

** formerly [[House of Representatives Club]] ''Sangiin Kurabu'' (centrist, 1998-1999)

*[[New Conservative Party]], (conservative, 2002-2003)

**formerly [[Conservative Party of Japan (2000)]], (conservative, 2000-2002)

*[[Liberal Party (1998)]], (liberal, 1998-2003)

*[[Democratic Party of Japan (1996)]], (liberal, 1996-1998)

*[[Good Governance Party]], (liberal, 1998)

*[[New Fraternity Party]], (liberal reformist, 1998)

*[[Sun Party]], (liberal reformist, 1996-1998)

*[[Democratic Reform Party]] (liberal reformist, 1993-1998)

* [[Midori no Kaigi]] ''Environmental Green Political Assembly'' ([[ecologist]] [[Conservatism|conservative]] [[reformist]], 2002-2004)

**formerly[[The Sakigake Party]], (conservative reformist-ecologist, 1998-2002)

**formerly [[New Party Sakigake]], (conservative reformist-ecologist, 1993-1998)

*[[New Peace Party]], (conservative, 1997-1998)

*[[Japan New Party]], (liberal, 1993-1996)

*[[Japan Renewal Party]], (liberal, 1993-1994)

*[[New Frontier Party]], (socialist/liberal, 1994-1997)

*[[Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)]], (social-democratic, 1960-1994 - broke off from JSP)

*[[Democratic Party of Japan, Occupation]], (agrarian conservative, 1945-1955)

*[[Liberal Party of Japan, Occupation]], (conservative, 1945-1955)

*[[Great Achievement Association]], (conservative nationalist, 1889-1909)

**formerly [[Conservative Party of Japan (1880)]]

*[[Constitutional Liberal Party (Japan)]], (liberal, 1882-1931)

*[[Constitutional Progressive Party]], (moderate liberal, 1882-1934)

*[[Liberal Party of Japan (1881)]], (liberal, 1881)

**formerly [[Aikoku Koto|Aikokusha]], (liberal, 1872-1881)

*[[Liberalism in Japan]]

Driven by a famine to take refuge in [[Egypt]] (26:11, 41:57, 42:1), Abram feared lest his wife's beauty should arouse the evil designs of the Egyptians and thus endanger his own safety, and alleged that Sarai was his sister. This did not save her from the [[Pharaoh]], who took her into the royal harem and enriched Abram with herds and servants. But when Yahweh "plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues" suspicion was aroused, and the Pharaoh rebuked the patriarch for his deceit and sent him away under an escort (12:10-13:1).

Japan has other minor parties not represented in Parliament (which have never been represented before), mostly [[reformist]], [[liberal]], [[nationalist]], [[socialist]], and [[communist]] parties.

There is a parallel text describing a similar event at Gerar with the [[Philistine]] king [[Abimelech]].

:''Ways to browse Wikipedia for political parties are by [[Index of political parties|name of the party]], [[List of political parties|country]], [[List of political parties by ideology|ideology]] or by [[List of political parties by ideology#Trans-national world groupings and parties|membership of internationals]] and through the category system: especially by [[:Category:Political parties by country|country]] and [[:category:political parties by ideology|ideology]].''

As Sarai was infertile, God's promise that Abram's seed would inherit the land seemed incapable of fulfilment. His sole heir was his servant, who was over his household, a certain Eliezer of [[Damascus]] (15:2). Abraham is now promised as heir one of his own flesh. The passage recording the ratification of the promise is remarkably solemn (see [[Genesis]] 15).

[[Category:Japan-related lists|Political parties]]

Sarai, in accordance with custom, gave to Abram her Egyptian handmaid [[Hagar]], who, when she found she was with child, presumed upon her position to the extent that Sarai, unable to endure the reproach of barrenness (cf. the story of [[Hannah]], [[Books of Samuel|1 Samuel]] 1:6), dealt harshly with her and forced her to flee (16:1-14). Hagar is promised that her descendants will be too numerous to count, and she returns. Her son [[Ishmael]] thus was Abram's [[firstborn]] (and [[Islam]]ic doctrine holds that he was the rightful [[heir]]). Hagar and Ishmael were eventually driven permanently away from Abram by Sarah (chapter 21).

[[Category:Lists of political parties|Japan]]

[[Category:Political parties in Japan| ]]

[[es:Partidos políticos de Japón]]

The name ''Abraham'' was given to Abram (and the name [[Sarah]] to Sarai) at the same time as the covenant of [[circumcision]] (chapter 17), which is practiced in [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]] to this day. At this time Abraham was promised not only many descendants, but descendants through Sarah specifically, as well as the land where he was living, which was to belong to his descendants. The covenant was to be fulfilled through [[Isaac]], though God promised that Ishmael would become a great nation as well. The covenant of circumcision (unlike the earlier promise) was two-sided and conditional: if Abraham and his descendants fulfilled their part of the covenant, Yahweh would be their God and give them the land.

[[ja:日本の政党一覧]]

[[vi:Đảng phái Nhật Bản]]

The promise of a son to Sarah made Abraham "laugh," which became the name of the son of promise, Isaac. Sarah herself "laughs" at the idea, when Yahweh appears to Abraham at Mamre (18:1-15) and, when the child is born, cries "God hath made me laugh; every one that heareth will laugh at me" (21:6).

In Genesis 18, Abraham pleads with God not to destroy [[Sodom]], and God agrees that he would not destroy the city if there were 50 righteous people in it, or 45, or 30, 20, even 10 righteous people. (Abraham's nephew [[Lot (biblical)|Lot]] had been living in Sodom.)

Some time after the birth of Isaac, Abraham was commanded by God to offer his son up as a sacrifice in the land of [[Moriah]]. Proceeding to obey, he was prevented by an [[angel]] as he was about to sacrifice his son, and slew a [[ram (sheep)|ram]] which he found on the spot. As a reward for his obedience he received another promise of a numerous seed and abundant prosperity (22). Thence he returned to [[Beersheba]]. The [[near sacrifice of Isaac]] is one of the most challenging, and perhaps ethically troublesome, parts of the Bible.

According to Josephus, Isaac is 25 years old at the time of the sacrifice or "Akedah", while the Talmudic Sages teach that Isaac is 37. In either case, Isaac is a fully grown man, old enough to prevent the elderly Abraham (who is 125 or 137 years old) from tying him up had he wanted to resist.

The primary interest of the narrative now turns to Isaac. To his "only son" (22:2, 12) Abraham gave all he had, and dismissed the sons of his concubines to the lands outside [[Canaan]]; they were thus regarded as less intimately related to [[Isaac]] and his descendants (25:1-6). See also: [[Midianites]], [[Sheba]].

Sarah died at an old age, and was buried in the [[Cave of Machpelah]] near [[Hebron]], which Abraham had purchased, along with the adjoining field, from [[Ephron]] the [[Hittites|Hittite]] (Genesis 23). Here Abraham himself was buried. Centuries later the tomb became a place of pilgrimage and [[Muslim]]s later built an [[Islam]]ic [[mosque]] inside the site.

Abraham is considered the father of the Jewish nation, as their first Patriarch, and having a son (Isaac), who in turn begat Jacob, and from there the [[Israelite|Twelve Tribes]]. To father the nation, God "tested" Abraham with ten tests, the greatest being his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. God promised the land of Israel to his children, and that is the first claim of the Jews to Israel.

Judaism ascribes a special trait to each Patriarch. Abraham's was kindness. Because of this, Judaism considers kindness to be an inherent Jewish trait.

Jewish tradition teaches the origins of Abraham's monotheism. His father Terah owned a store that sold idols. Abraham,at the age of three, started to question their authenticity. This culminating in Abraham destroying some idols.

Abraham was then brought to the king, and sentenced to death, along with his brother Haran, unless they recanted their position. Abraham did not, and was thrown into a fire. When Abraham exited unscathed, Haran also would not recant, and was thrown into the fire. Haran, who did not truly believe, died in the fire. This is hinted to in Genesis 11:28.

Abraham then went to Haran with his father and brother. His father died there. God spoke to Abraham for the first time, and told him of great things He would give him if he would leave Haran. Abraham did. He was seventy-five during this affair.

Abraham started a school for teaching his beliefs in God, and some say he wrote the [[Sefer Yetzirah]].

== Abraham in Christianity ==

Abraham stands out prominently as the recipient of the promises (Gen. 12:2-7, 13:14-17, 15, 17, 18:17-19, 22:17-18, 24:7). In the [[New Testament]] Abraham is mentioned prominently as a man of faith (see e.g., [[Epistle to the Hebrews|Hebrews]] 11), and the apostle [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]] uses him as an example of salvation by faith (in e.g. [[Epistle to Galatians|Galatians]] 3).

The New Testament uses Abraham to justify belief in the resurrection of the dead. "But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken." ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 12:26-27) "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called,"[d] 19concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense." (Hebrews 11:17-19)

The [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox]] view in Christianity is that the chief promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12 is that through Abraham's offspring, all the people of earth would be blessed. This promise was fulfilled through Abraham's descendant, Jesus Christ. It is also a consequence of this promise that Christianity is open to people of all races and not limited to the Jews.

The Roman Catholic Church calls Abraham "our father in Faith," in the [[Eucharistic prayer]] called ''Roman Canon'', recited during [[Mass]].

Christian tradition sees Abraham as a figure of God, and Abraham's attempt to offer up [[Isaac]] is a foreshadow of [[God]]'s offering of his Son, [[Jesus]] (Gen. 22:1-14; Heb. 11:17-19). Just as Isaac carried wood for the sacrifice up the mountain and willingly submitted to being offered, so Jesus carried his Cross up the hill and allowed himself to be crucified.

==Abraham in Islam==

Abraham (called Ibrahim in Islam) is very important to Islam, both in his own right and as the father of [[Ismail]] (Ishmael), his firstborn son.

Abraham (Ibrahim) is considered one of the first and most important prophets of Islam, and is commonly termed '''Khalil Ullah''', Friend of God. (Islam regards most of the Old Testament "patriarchs" as [[prophet]]s of God, and hence as Muslims.) While most Muslims believe that Adam, the first man, was the first Muslim (submitter to God), they universally agree that Abraham was a prophet of God.

According to the Quran, Abraham reached the conclusion that anything subject to disappearance could not be worthy of worship, and thus became a [[monotheist]] ([[Al-An'am|Quran 6]]:76-83.) As in Jewish belief, Abraham's father (named Azar in Islam) was an idol-maker, and Abraham broke his idols, calling on his community to worship God instead. They then cast him into a fire, which miraculously failed to burn him ([[as-Saaffat|Quran 37]]:83-98.) The well-known but wholly non-canonical [[Qisas al-Anbiya]] ([[Ibn Kathir]]) records considerably more detail about his life, which are commonly referred to in Islamic accounts of his life[http://iisca.org/knowledge/biographies/ibrahim_1.htm].

Traditionally, Muslims believe that it was [[Ishmael]] rather than [[Isaac]] whom Abraham was told to sacrifice. In support of this, Muslims note that the text of [[Genesis (Hebrew Bible)|Genesis]], despite specifying Isaac, appears to state that Abraham was told to sacrifice his only son ("Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac," [http://www.breslov.com/bible/ Jewish Publication Society] translation, Genesis/Bereshit 22:2) to God. Since Isaac was Abraham's second son, it is arguable there was no time at which he would have been Abraham's "only son", and that this supports the Muslim belief that there was an original text that must have named Ishmael rather than Isaac as the intended sacrifice. The [[Qur'an]] itself does not specify by name which son Abraham nearly sacrificed (Quran 37:99-111).

Also, unlike in Jewish belief, Muslims also note that nowhere in the [[Qur'an]] does God say that it was God who told Abraham to sacrifice his son nor does God say He gave Abraham the dream of the sacrifice. The Quran teaches that God never advocates evil. Thus, it is said that for a father to slaughter his son, is an evil that cannot be coming from God; it can only come from [[Satan]]. Furthermore, Muslims state that God would not contradict himself and, therefore, would not order Abraham to commit what he prohibited, even as a test. Since Abraham thought the dream was from God and he proceeded to sacrifice his son Ismail, God sent him the lamb to be sacrificed instead, and to save Ismael and the father-son sacred relationship. Furthermore, Muslims believe that God promised to protect His righteous believers from Satan's tricks, and he saved Abraham and his son, Ismail, this exact test.

This entire episode of the sacrifice is regarded as a trial that Abraham had to face from God. It is celebrated by Muslims on the day of [[Eid ul-Adha]]. Muslims also believe that Abraham, along with his son Ishmael, rebuilt the [[Kaaba]] in [[Mecca]] ([[al-Baqara|Quran 2]]:125).

Abraham is one of the most important [[Prophets of Islam|prophets]] in Islam, and Muslims have a specific ''dua'' that (in some traditions) they recite daily which asks God to bless both Abraham and Muhammad. According to Islamic tradition, he is buried in [[Hebron]]. In the [[Masjid al Haram]] in Mecca, there is an area known as the "station of Ibrahim" (''Maqam Ibrahim'' &#1605;&#1602;&#1575;&#1605;), which supposedly bears an impression of his footprints.

==Abraham in philosophy==

Abraham, as a man communicating with God, inspired philosophers, like the [[existentialists]], such as [[Kierkegaard]] and [[Sartre]]. The "stress of Abraham" was a concept invented by [[Kierkegaard]] and later processed by [[Sartre]] like this: God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son ([[old testament]]). How does Abraham know that the voice he hears is really the voice of his God and not of someone else or even the product of an ill mind condition? Thus, Sartre concludes, even if there are signs in the world, it is to us, humans to decide how to interpret them and so we are abandoned in our freedom, which is the core of [[existentialism]]. This of course makes sense within the context of [[rationalism]] but not inside [[mysticism]], the foundation of every religion.

==Abraham and his descendants==

Biblical narratives represent Abraham as an idealized [[sheikh]] (with one important exception, Gen. 14, see below). As the father of Isaac and Ishmael, he is ultimately the common ancestor of the [[Israelites]] and their neighbours. As the father of [[Midian]], [[Sheba]] and other [[Arab]]ian tribes (25:1-4), it seems that some degree of kinship was felt by the Hebrews with the dwellers of the more distant south, and it is characteristic of the genealogies that the mothers (Sarah, Hagar and [[Keturah]]) are in the descending scale as regards purity of blood.

As stated above, Abraham came from Ur in [[Babylonia]] and Haran and thence to Canaan. Late tradition supposed that the [[Migration (human)|migration]] was to escape Babylonian idolatry (Judith 5, Jubilees 12; cf. Joshua 24:2), and knew of Abraham's miraculous escape from death (an obscure reference to some act of deliverance in Isaiah 29:22). The route along the banks of the [[Euphrates]] from south to north was so frequently taken by migrating tribes that the tradition has nothing improbable in itself, but the prominence given in the older narratives to the view that Haran was the home gives this the preference. It was thence that [[Jacob]], the father of the tribes of Israel, came and the route to [[Shechem]] and Bethel is precisely the same in both. A twofold migration is doubtful, and, from what is known of the situation in Palestine in the [[15th century BC]], is extremely improbable.

Further, there is yet another parallel in the story of the conquest by Joshua, partly implied and partly actually detailed (cf. also Joshua 8:9 with Gen. 12:8, 13:3), whence it would appear that too much importance must not be laid upon any ethnological interpretation which fails to account for the three versions. That similar traditional elements have influenced them is not unlikely; but to recover the true historical foundation is difficult. The invasion or immigration of certain tribes from the east of the Jordan; the presence of [[Aramean]] blood among the Israelites; the origin of the sanctity of venerable sites &mdash; these and other considerations may readily be found to account for the traditions.

Noteworthy coincidences in the lives of Abraham and Isaac, noticed above, point to the fluctuating state of traditions in the oral stage, or suggest that Abraham's life has been built up by borrowing from the common stock of popular lore. More original is the parting of Lot and Abraham at Bethel. The district was the scene of contests between [[Moab]] and the Hebrews (cf. perhaps Judges 3), and if this explains part of the story, the physical configuration of the [[Dead Sea]] may have led to the legend of the destruction of inhospitable and vicious cities.

==Historical criticism==

Different writers have regarded the life of Abraham differently. He has been viewed as a chieftain of the [[Amorites]], as the head of a great [[Semitic]] migration from [[Mesopotamia]]; or, since Ur and Haran were seats of Moon-worship, he has been identified with a moon-god. From the character of the literary evidence and the locale of the stories it has been held that Abraham was originally associated with Hebron. The double name Abram/Abraham has even suggested that two personages have been combined in the Biblical narrative; although this does not explain the change from Sarai to Sarah. But it is important to remember that the narratives are not contemporary, and that the interesting discovery of the name ''Abi-ramu'' (Abram) on Babylonian contracts of about [[2000 BC]] does not prove the Abram of the Old Testament to be an historical person, even as the fact that there were "Amorites" in Babylonia at the same period does not make it certain that the patriarch was one of their number. One remarkable chapter associates Abraham with kings of [[Elam]] and the east (Genesis 14). No longer a peaceful sheikh but a warrior with a small army of 318 followers, he overthrows a combination of powerful monarchs who have ravaged the land. The genuineness of the narrative has been strenuously maintained, although upon insufficient grounds.

On the assumption that a recollection of some invasion in remote days may have been current, considerable interest is attached to the names. Of these, Amraphel, king of Shinar (i.e. Babylonia, Genesis 10:10), has been in the past identified with [[Hammurabi]], one of the greatest of the Babylonian kings (c. 2000 BC), and since he claims to have ruled as far west as the Mediterranean Sea, the equation has found considerable favour. Apart from chronological difficulties, the identification of the king and his country is far from certain, and at the most can only be regarded as possible. Arioch, king of Ellasar, has been connected with Eriaku of Larsa &mdash; the reading has been questioned &mdash; a contemporary with Hammurabi. Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, bears what is doubtless a genuine Elamite name. Finally, the name of Tid'al, king of Goiim, may be identical with a certain Tudhulu the son of Gazza, a warrior, but apparently not a king, who is mentioned in a Babylonian inscription, and Goiim may stand for Gutim, the Guti being a people who lived to the east of Kurdistan. Nevertheless, there is as yet no monumental evidence in favour of the genuineness of the story, and at the most it can only be said that the author (of whatever date) has derived his names from a trustworthy source, and in representing an invasion of Palestine by Babylonian overlords has given expression to a possible situation. The improbabilities and internal difficulties of the narrative remain untouched, only the bare outlines may very well be historical. If, as most critics agree, it is a historical romance (cf., e.g., the book of Judith), it is possible that a writer, preferably one who lived in the post-exilic age and was acquainted with Babylonian history, desired to enhance the greatness of Abraham by exhibiting his military success against the monarchs of the Tigris and Euphrates, the high esteem he enjoyed in Palestine and the practical character displayed in his brief exchange with Melchizedek. On the probable historicity of this meeting between Abra(ha)m and '''Melchizedek''', see [[Melchizedek]] and the historical section there. See also the historical section of the article '''[[Tithe]]''', which provides more evidence on the historicity of the meeting with Melchizedek.

Several professors of archeology claim that many stories in the Old Testament, including important chronicles about Abraham, Moses, and others, were actually made up by scribes hired by King [[Josiah]] ([[7th century BC]]) in order to rationalize monotheistic belief in Yahweh. Evidently, the neighboring countries that kept many written records, such as Egypt, Assyria, Indus Saraswati, India, etc., have no writings about the stories of the Bible or its main characters before [[650 BC]]. Such claims are detailed in "Who Were the Early Israelites?" by William G. Dever, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI (2003). Another such book by Neil A. Silberman and colleagues is "The Bible Unearthed," Simon and Schuster, New York (2001).

==References==

* The [[1911 Encyclopedia]].

* [[Genesis]]

==See also==

*[http://www.soundvision.com/info/hajj/abraham.asp Abraham in all three Abrahamic faiths]

*[http://www.hajj.ca/Ismail.html Abraham's sacrifice: an Islamic perspective]

*[http://www.GospelTruth.info/ GospelTruth] -- God's promises to Abraham according to Christian belief

*[http://www.BiblicalArcheology.Net/ Biblical Archeology] -- Bible-related article about Abraham

*[http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101020930/ The Legacy of Abraham] -- Time magazine cover story

*[http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2004/09/09_abraham/ Children of Abraham] -- episode of the weekly [[Minnesota Public Radio]] show ''[[Speaking of Faith]]''

*[[Abrahamic religions]]

*[[Abraham's bosom]]

*[[List of founders of major religions]]

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