Do Muslims believe in Abraham?
Yes. Muslims believe Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) was a great prophet and a close friend of God. Islam sees itself as a return to his pure faith in one God, and Muslims remember him in every prayer, in the Hajj pilgrimage and on Eid al-Adha.
Abraham's place in Islam
Abraham is honored by Jews, Christians and Muslims, which is why the three faiths are often called "Abrahamic." In the Quran he has a special title: Khalilullah, the friend of God. "And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend" (Quran 4:125).
The Quran describes his faith not as belonging to one later community, but as simple, sincere devotion to God:
Here "Muslim" carries its root meaning: someone who submits to God. Muslims believe every prophet taught this same submission.
His story in the Quran
- Questioning idols: as a young man he challenged his people, and even his father, about worshipping statues.
- Saved from the fire: when they threw him into a fire, God said, "O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham" (Quran 21:69).
- Building the Kaaba: with his son Ishmael, he raised the foundations of the House in Mecca (Quran 2:127).
- The great test: he was ready to sacrifice his son, and God "ransomed him with a great sacrifice" (Quran 37:107).
One difference from the Bible: most Muslim scholars hold that the son in the sacrifice story was Ishmael, while Genesis names Isaac. Muslims honor both sons as prophets.
How Muslims remember him every day
In every prayer, Muslims ask God to bless Muhammad ﷺ "as You sent Your Mercy on Abraham and on the family of Abraham" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3370). The Prophet ﷺ even described Joseph's honor by tracing him back to "the son of Allah's Khalil (i.e. Abraham)" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3374).
Much of Hajj retraces the steps of Abraham, his wife Hagar and Ishmael, and Eid al-Adha marks his willingness to sacrifice. See Do I have to go to Hajj if I can't afford it?
A bridge with family
If your family is Jewish or Christian, Abraham is common ground. You can talk about him without arguing, because all three traditions see him as a model of trust in God. It also helps to know that Muslims believe in the same God he worshipped. See Do Muslims and Christians believe in the same God?
- Abraham (Ibrahim) is a major prophet and "friend of God" in Islam.
- Islam sees itself as continuing his pure faith in one God.
- Muslims mention him in every prayer and honor him in Hajj and Eid al-Adha.
- Most scholars say Ishmael was the son in the sacrifice story.
People also ask
Do Muslims believe in Jesus?
Yes, Muslims believe in Jesus as a great prophet and the Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary, but not as God. Here's what the Quran says.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe in Joseph?
Yes, Muslims believe Joseph (Yusuf) was a prophet. Surah Yusuf tells his whole story, which the Quran itself calls the best of stories.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe in Moses?
Yes, Muslims believe in Moses (Musa) as a major prophet. God spoke to him and gave him the Torah, and he is named in the Quran more than anyone.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims and Christians believe in the same God?
In a basic sense, yes: both worship the God of Abraham. "Allah" is Arabic for God. The Trinity is the key difference.
Read the full answer →Do I have to believe Jesus isn't God to become Muslim?
Yes, Muslims believe in one God, so Jesus isn't God. But Islam honors him as the Messiah and a great prophet.
Read the full answer →