The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 97
III - Makkah, the Ka ‘ bah & the Quraish 97 offering. 6. In the Bible, the place where this sacrifice was offered, in other words the altar was in a place called ‘ Moriah’. However, the whereabouts of that place are not clearly mentioned. Nonetheless, it is mentioned that it is a mountainous region. 1 On account of the Bible’s lack of elaboration in this instance, Jewish and Christian scholars have fallen to disaccord in regards to the true geographic location of this place. However, upon deliberation, it becomes clear that the mountainous region in the close proximity of Makkah named ‘ Marwah’ perfectly conforms to this name and explanation. The minor difference in the pronunciation of this name is insignificant due to the variation of languages. Undoubtedly, it is true that now at the occasion of Ḥajj , sacrifices are offered at Minā rather than Marwah. However, firstly, Minā and Marwah are in close proximity to one another. Secondly, it is proven by a statement of the Holy Prophet sa in a Ḥadīth that the actual altar was in fact Marwah 2 , which was later relocated to a place away from the residential area due to an abundance of pilgrims. 7. Although the Bible has stated that Isaac as was the one to be slaughtered, yet such facts are mentioned in the elaboration of this occurrence, as only apply to Ishmael as and not Isaac as. The occurrence of the sacrificial offering has been mentioned in the book of Genesis in the Bible. 3 Anyhow, where Isaac as has been referred to as the sacrifice, he has also been described as the only son of Abraham as , even though it is obvious that Isaac as cannot in any case be referred to as the only son of Abraham as. If anyone possesses the right to be thought of as ‘an only son’ it is indeed, Ishmael as. In actuality, Ishmael as was the only son of Abraham as for approximately 13 to 14 years, whereas Isaac as never acquired this position. On this foundation it is clearly evident that initially the Bible referred to Ishmael as as the sacrificial offering as well, but this was later changed to Isaac as by Jewish scholars under the influence of national antagonism. However, various minutia have slipped their acknowledgement, which clearly unveil this unjust attempt at 1 Genesis (22:2) 2 Mu’aṭṭā Imām Mālik rh , Kitābul-Ḥajj, Bābu Mā Jā’a fin-Naḥri fil-Ḥajj, Ḥadīth No. 895 3 Genesis (Chapter 22)