Durham E-Theses The Dhabih Allah as metaphor for self-submission: a critical reassessment of the sacri(cid:28)ce narrative in Q.37:99-113 Petsani, Maria How to cite: Petsani, Maria (2007) The Dhabih Allah as metaphor for self-submission: a critical reassessment of the sacri(cid:28)ce narrative in Q.37:99-113, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/1978/ Use policy Thefull-textmaybeusedand/orreproduced,andgiventothirdpartiesinanyformatormedium,withoutpriorpermissionor charge,forpersonalresearchorstudy,educational,ornot-for-pro(cid:28)tpurposesprovidedthat: • afullbibliographicreferenceismadetotheoriginalsource • alinkismadetothemetadatarecordinDurhamE-Theses • thefull-textisnotchangedinanyway Thefull-textmustnotbesoldinanyformatormediumwithouttheformalpermissionofthecopyrightholders. PleaseconsultthefullDurhamE-Thesespolicyforfurtherdetails. AcademicSupportO(cid:30)ce,DurhamUniversity,UniversityO(cid:30)ce,OldElvet,DurhamDH13HP e-mail: [email protected]: +4401913346107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 `The Dhabih Alläh Metaphor for Self-Submission: as A Critical Reassessment Sacrifice Narrative in the of Q. 37: 99-113' by Maria Petsani The copyright of this thesis rests with the it author or the university to which was from it, No or submitted. quotation information derived from it may be the published without prior written consent of the author or university, and information derived from it be should any acknowledged. Thesis for Degree Doctor Philosophy the submitted of of at University Durham the of r ýý :ýý 2007 13 FEI' 2008 Acknowledgements For his I to encouragement, critical comments and suggestions, am grateful my Dr Colin Turner (Durham University). supervisor I Professor Dimitris Kaimakis (Aristotle to to also wish express my gratitude University Thessaloniki) for his invaluable throughout of guidance and support my studies. Many due Greek State Scholarships Foundation (I. K. Y. ) for funding thanks to the are doctorate. my I Dimitrios Voutiris, Eva Grigoropoulou John Quinn for to thank their also wish and moral and practical support. My last brother-in-law for love thanks to their are my parents, sister and and encouragement. To the memory of my grandmother, Anastasia Petsani Up till the Islamic Abraham's (dhabih Allah) has now research on version of sacrifice Muslim-Jewish identity the the concentrated on controversy around of the victim (Isaac Ishmael), issues or raising of ethnicity and exclusivity whilst overlooking the Reinterpreting in its theological the the Qur' meaning of story. story neglected anic is it the this thesis twofold: the context, purpose of examines evolution of the meaning from the times through the finally, of sacrifice ancient monotheistic world view and Islamic it Abraham's the to that the world view; and aims show narrative of sacrifice incorporated in Qur'an image the was as a powerful of self-submission. Chapter One looks theological at a representative sample of and philosophical the the in Genesis 22 (Akedah) discusses readings of well-known account of story and Abraham's has in field the that the recent criticism sacrifice attracted of social studies legend that has instigated legitimized Chapters Two Three as a and violence. and are devoted in literature to the the the tafsir its representation of sacrifice story and Abraham-Ka'ba Western the traditions the subsequent association with and reading of the (Q. 37: 99-113) Medinan to legitimize the Hajj sacrifice ayas as a addition aimed An investigation into Abraham-Ka'ba (Chapter Four) the sacrificial ritual. ayas Qur'an does hint Chapter Five that the to confirms not seem at such a connection. figure Abraham in Qur'an Hadith the the the that the explores of and and shows fits Meccan Abraham the sacrifice story perfectly representation of as a self- figure, Muhammad. This is the type the sacrificing of persecuted sacrificing element de-emphasized in Hadith literature. the Chapters Six Nine decipher Q. 37: 99-113 to to the are an attempt spiritual message of basis information draw from Qur'an literary the that the on of we and other and historical Chapter Six focuses 37, i. the themes sources on sacrifice. on main of sura e. belief in hereafter, the the personal responsibility and prophets' mission against idolatry. Furthermore, based ilm, iman islam, the the terms on meaning of and often in Qur'an Abraham's the to to this that used refer spiritual condition, chapter argues is included in Islamic the sacrifice narrative scripture as an example of perfected islam. Chapter Seven looks literary father-son at examples of relationships and child history, the throughout sacrifice stories and explores essence of sacrifice with an In Eight Nine, emphasis on ancient ritual. chapters and recent cultural anthropological findings idolization the the on of wealth and children among prophets' communities in Qur'an findings key Qur' the three that are compared with our on anic concepts in Abraham, divine (fitna), to those trial the appear relation of purification of soul (tazkiyat idolatry (shirk). Finally, Chapter Ten tests the al-nafs) and applicability of Ernest Becker's theory immortality technique to Abraham's of sacrifice as an sacrifice it has been interpreted in Judaism, Christianity Islam. and as Table Contents of INTRODUCTION 1 LITERATURE REVIEW 6 CHAPTER 1: CLASSICAL AND MODERN INTERPRETATIONS ON ABRAHAM'S SACRIFICE 1.1. Abraham's Sacrifice in the Bible 21 1.2. Philosophers Abraham's Sacrifice their Critics 24 on and 1.3. The Reading the Sacrifice Misunderstanding Intended Murder 29 of as a or an 1.4. Delaney's Case: Endorsement Patriarchy / Blind Obedience to Authority 39 of CHAPTER 2: ABRAHAM'S SACRIFICE IN ISLAMIC TRADITION 2.1. Introduction 43 2.2. Sacrifice Narratives 44 The `Iblis' Traditions 44 a. b. The Sacrifice 48 Legends Prophets: Kisa'i's Version 59 the c. of 2.3. The Identity the Sacrificial Son in Islam 61 of 2.3.1. Introduction 61 2.3.2. Dhabih Traditions Arguments in Favour One the Other Son 62 and of or Two Ishmael Dhabih Narratives 62 a. b. The Isaac DhabTP Narratives 64 `Umayya b. Abi 66 c. al-Salt 2.3.3. Tabari's Other Exegetes' Arguments 67 and CHAPTER 3: MODERN INTERPRETATIONS ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE SACRIFICE IN ISLAM AND THE IDENTITY OF THE VICTIM 3.1. Extra-Qur'anic Evidence Shift in the Identity the Dhabih72 of a of 3.2. Arguments in Support One the Other Son the Sacrifice based Scripture 75 on of of as Sacrifice from its Initial Locus in Early Islamic 3.3. On the Deliberate Transposition the of Tradition (a Mountain in Jerusalem Syria) to the Central Muslim Sanctuary (the Ka'ba) 82 or 3.3.1. Introduction 82 3.3.2. The Time Locus the Sacrifice its Connection to Abraham's First Pilgrimage 83 and of and Sacrifice Politics during the `Abbasid Caliphate 88 3.3.3. Abraham's and 3.4. Calder Narrative, Liturgy Canonical Scripture 94 and on Thematic Evolution the Sacrifice Story to its Incorporation in Islamic 3.5. On the of prior Cohen's Theory 97 Caspi Exegesis: and 1 CHAPTER 4: THE LINK BETWEEN ABRAHAM, ISHMAEL AND THE KA'BA IN THE QUR'AN 4.1. Introduction 102 4.2. Isaac Ishmael in the Qur'an 103 and 4.3. The Religion Arabia in Pre-Islamic Times 106 of The Ka `ba 109 4.4. Ka'ba Abraham: Qur'an 2: 125-127,3: 97 22: 26 110 and and The House its Purification 110 a. and b. The Station Abraham 113 of The Prayer 114 c. 4.5. The Connection of Abraham and Ishmael with the Ka'ba and the Possibility of the Perception Ishmael the Father the Arabs in Pre-Islamic Times 115 of as of 4.6. Ethnocentricity Universality? 121 or 4.7. Conclusion 123 CHAPTER 5: THE FIGURE OF ABRAHAM IN THE QUR'AN AND THE HADITH A. ABRAHAM IN THE QUR'AN 5.1. Introduction 126 5.2. Abraham, the Friend God 127 of 5.3. Millat Ibrahim (the Way Abraham), the Prophets how They All linked to the of and are Mission the Prophet Muhammad 128 of 5.4. Abraham's Early Stages: Turning to Monotheism 132 Abraham's Environment 132 a. b. Revelation 134 The Course Abraham's Prophetic Mission 135 c. of d. God's Blessings Abraham 136 to 5.5. Abraham in Old Age 137 Abraham's Sacrifice 137 a. b. Abraham's Encounter God's Messengers 138 with Abraham's Forgiving Loving Nature 139 c. and d. The Foundation Ka `ba by Abraham Ishmael 140 the of and 5.6. Conclusion 142 B. ABRAHAM IN THE HADITH LITERATURE 5.1. Introduction 143 5.2. Abraham's Sunna followed by the Arab Prophet 144 5.3. Hunafä': Followers the Abrahamic Faith to Qur'anic Revelation 145 of prior in Life 147 5.4. Abraham Statements 147 5.4.1. The False ii 5.4.2. Abraham's Family in Hadith 148 the Sarah 148 a. b. Hajar 150 Ishmael 151 c. 5.5. The Alteration of the Building of the Ka'ba in the Course Time 152 of 5.6. Abraham in Life Death 154 after Abraham's Status Abode in Heaven 155 a. and b. Intercession for Infidels Believers the Day Judgement 156 and on of 5.7. Conclusion 157 CHAPTER 6: READING ABRAHAM'S SACRIFICE IN ITS QUR'ANIC CONTEXT 6.1. Introduction 160 6.2. The Didactic Nature the Prophets' Stories 165 of 6.3. The Sacrifice of the Dhabi# as Abraham's Highest Level of Submission to the Will of God 169 6.3.1. Sacrifice Reward in Abraham's Life 169 and 6.3.2. `ilm (knowledge), (faith) isläm (submission) 170 ! man and 6.3.3. isläm Changing Quality Abraham's Sacrifice Story Example its Perfection as a and as an of 172 6.3.4. Submission by Choice Blind Obedience? 174 or 6.4. Sura 37: Belief in the Unity God, Idolatry, Prophethood the Hereafter 178 of and 6.5. Qur'anic References to Literal Sacrifice 179 Animal Sacrifice in Qur'an 179 the a. b. Child Sacrifice in Qur'an 182 the CHAPTER 7: LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOURCES ON SACRIFICE 7.1. Fathers Sacrificial Children in Literature 184 and 7.2. The Nature the Sacrificial Ritual in the History Man 190 of of 7.2.1. Introduction 190 7.2.2. Gift-Offerings 191 7.2.3. Communion Sacrifice 193 7.2.4. Other Theories 195 Life-Giving Sacrifice 195 a. b. Expiation-Substitution 196 7.2.5. The Offering 197 Human Sacrifice 198 a. b. Animal Sacrifice 202 7.3. Conclusion 204 iii CHAPTER 8: BECKER'S THEORY OF SACRIFICE AS AN IMMORTALITY TECHNIQUE AND TURNER'S THEORY ON WEALTH AS AN IMMORTALITY SYMBOL IN THE QUR'AN 8.1. The Meaning Historical Sacrifice to Ernest Becker 205 of according 8.2. Perceptions Afterlife 208 of 8.3. Turner's Theory Wealth Immortality Symbol 210 on as an 8.4. Fathers Sons 217 and CHAPTER 9: DIVINE TRIAL, PURIFICATION OF THE HEART AND IDOLATRY 9.1. Introduction 220 9.2. Divine Trial in the Qur'an 223 9.3. Purification the Heart 232 of Revelation 235 a. b. Creator Creation Islamic Spirituality 237 to and according 9.4. Shirk-Associating Others God 241 with Said Nursi Human `I' 245 the on 9.5. Conclusions 250 ANCIENT, MONOTHEISTIC AND ISLAMIC SACRIFICE (GENERAL CONCLUSIONS) 260 EPILOGUE 266 APPENDIX A 271 Qur'anic References Abraham: Juxtaposition Two English Translations (Yusuf Ali on of and Muhammad Asad) APPENDIX B 301 Abrahamic References in Shh Bukhäri Shlt ft Muslim and REFERENCES 315 iv