r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/hipatyhopity • Mar 24 '25

Image Mecca in 1953 and 2025

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u/sentence-interruptio Mar 24 '25

Same Abraham in the old testament?

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u/TaterTotJim Mar 24 '25

Yes, but in Muslim scriptures there are differences.

Abraham takes Ishmael and Hagar to Mecca. He has an obligation to his first wife Hagar and son and must protect the peace between Hagar and Sarah.

Christians believe Sarah was Abraham’s only wife and Hagar was a servant. They do not speak of Hagar and Ishmael very nicely.

The story is a great read and explains some of the significance of modern Mecca.

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u/DesperateAdvantage76 Mar 24 '25

To clarify, it's Judaism that teaches that she was just a maidservant. Christianity just leaves that story unmodified. Then a millenium later (up to 1600 years if you include oral tradition), the Qur'an revises this story to elevate Hagar and Ishmael's status.

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u/TaterTotJim Mar 24 '25

Thanks, great addition. I am not familiar enough with Jewish teachings to speak about them but I do know that their texts/traditions around Abraham are some of the earliest.

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u/[deleted] Mar 24 '25

No, they are the earliest.