The Bible narrates several key covenants that God made with humanity. These covenants are significant because they reveal God’s unfolding plan for redemption and His relationship with His people. Here are the primary covenants mentioned in the Bible:
1. The Noahic Covenant
After the flood, God made an everlasting covenant with Noah and all living creatures that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. The rainbow is given as the sign of this everlasting covenant.
Genesis 9:
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “I now establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. 11 I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between Me and all life on the earth.”
2. The Abrahamic Covenant
God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham and all his descendants that He would make him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, bless those who bless him, and curse those who curse him. All families of the earth would be blessed through Abraham. This covenant includes promises of land, descendants, and blessing. Circumcision is given as the sign of the covenant. Also, it states that God will make a covenant with Isaac and his descendants (Gen 15:21), yet we see that both Ishmael and Isaac were part of the covenant that God made with Abraham as both of them were descendants of Abraham and circumcised as part of Abraham’s covenant (Gen 15:26).
Genesis 15:
17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi[e] of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates— 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”
The Covenant of Circumcision
Genesis 17:
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty[a]; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make My covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram[b]; your name will be Abraham,[c] for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
9 Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10 This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
15 God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”
19 Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac.[d] I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” 22 When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.
23 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 25 and his son Ishmael was thirteen; 26 Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. 27 And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.
3. The Mosaic Covenant
In Exodus 19-24, God made a covenant with Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai, including the Ten Commandments and the Law. It establishes Israel as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. Obedience to the Law would lead to blessings, while disobedience would result in curses. The Bible does not claim this to be an everlasting covenant and also indicates that this specific covenant is conditional (Exodus 19:5).
Exodus 19:
On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you[a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Exodus 24:
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, 2 but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.”3 When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” 4 Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said.
He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”
8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
4. The Priestly Covenant
This covenant was made with Aaron and his descendants, establishing them as God’s chosen priests forever.
Numbers 25:
10 The Lord said to Moses, 11 “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal. 12 Therefore tell him I am making my covenant of peace with him. 13 He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”
5. The Davidic Covenant
God promised David that his descendants would rule Israel forever, establishing his throne for eternity. This covenant is foundational for the expectation of a Messiah, a descendant of David who would reign forever.
2 Samuel 7
27 “Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”
6. The New Covenant
The New Covenant is promised to the people of Israel and Judah during a time of exile and anticipates a future in which God will write His law on their hearts, all will know Him, and He will forgive their iniquities. It also indicates that this will supersede the previous conditional Mosaic Covenant since the people of Israel broke that covenant with God when they fell into idol worship.
Jeremiah 31
30 Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.
31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke My covenant, though I was a husband to[d] them,[e]” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Jesus ≠ New Covenant
Christians interpret the “New Covenant” prophesied in Jeremiah 31 as being fulfilled through Jesus Christ, referencing key texts such as Luke 22:20 and Hebrews 8 to substantiate this perspective. Although traditionally attributed to Paul, the Book of Hebrews is now widely recognized by contemporary scholars as being of anonymous authorship. As neither Paul nor an unknown author has any authority in defining scripture, Hebrews does not provide any support that the New Covenant was fulfilled through Jesus.
On the other hand, Luke 22:20 is from the Gospels and warrants consideration in this claim. This passage concerns the Eucharist, in which the disciples were supposedly asked to eat bread and drink wine, representing Christ’s body and blood.
Luke 22
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
Luke 22:20 & New Covenant Missing in Manuscripts
Interestingly, if we go to the footnote of the RSV Bible, we see that verses 19-20 are omitted by authorities, as they are not found in older manuscripts.
The Holman Christian Standard Bible’s footnote states: “Luke 22:20 Other mss omit which is given for you (v. 19) through the end of v. 20“
According to Christian Publishing House, they show the variant readings of this passage, which either omit the verses or do not contain any mention of this act being part of a new covenant.
Variant 1 omit 22:19b–20, yielding this translation:
“17 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks for it, he said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the Kingdom of God comes.’ 19 Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had given thanks for it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body.’”
D ita,d,i,l Didache
Variant 2 transposed order (22:19a, 17, 18) [No mention of a covenant]
“19a Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had given thanks for it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body.’ 17Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks for it, he said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the Kingdom of God comes.’”
itb,e
Variant 3 transposed order (22:19, 17, 18) [No mention of a covenant]
“19 Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had given thanks for it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ 17Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks for it, he said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the Kingdom of God comes.’”
syrc
Eucharist Pagan Origins
This ritual, central to Christian liturgy, especially within the Catholic tradition, is known as “transubstantiation.” In this ritual, the substances of bread and wine are believed to transform into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, who is acknowledged as the Son of God. This belief is not merely symbolic but a foundational doctrine of the Catholic faith, emphasizing the literalness of this transformation, intended to unify the believer with the divine.
Comparatively, similar ritualistic meals are documented within the “mystery religions” of the Greco-Roman world, which were characterized by secretive practices and initiation rites. For instance, the Mithraic Mysteries, devoted to the worship of Mithras—a deity associated with covenant and order—featured communal meals that symbolically incorporated the flesh and blood of their god. These practices, however, are not unique to Mithraism. In ancient Egypt, rituals involving consecrated cakes believed to embody the flesh of Osiris, the god of the afterlife, regeneration, and rebirth, were conducted by priests, dating back to around 3100 BC.
The parallels drawn between the Christian Eucharist and these ancient rituals have been the subject of scholarly debate. Critics argue that the concept of consuming a deity’s essence to achieve unity with the divine reflects a syncretism with pagan traditions, challenging the assertion of its originality within the Christian faith.
concept of Eucharist Abhorent in Judiaism
Additionally, as Jesus was a practicing Jew, it would make sense if such a practice had any backing in Judaism. As it stands, in Judaism, there is no concept equivalent to the Christian Eucharist, and it is considered absolutely revolting and abhorrent to the faith.
Quran & The New Covenant
Covenant Pre-Calf
The Quran narrates the original covenant that God made with the Children of Israel. According to the Quran, all of Mt. Sinai was lifted over them like an umbrella, which corresponds with what we find in the Bible regarding this event. According to both the Quran and the Bible, this original covenant was made before the incident with the calf.
[2:63] We made a covenant with you, as we raised Mount Sinai above you: “You shall uphold what we have given you strongly, and remember its contents, that you may be saved.”
[2:64] But you turned away thereafter, and if it were not for GOD’s grace towards you and His mercy, you would have been doomed.
[2:65] You have known about those among you who desecrated the Sabbath. We said to them, “Be you as despicable as apes.” [2:66] We set them up as an example for their generation, as well as subsequent generations, and an enlightenment for the righteous.
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ ٱلطُّورَ خُذُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ لَكُنتُم مِّنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱعْتَدَوْا۟ مِنكُمْ فِى ٱلسَّبْتِ فَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا۟ قِرَدَةً خَـٰسِـِٔينَ
[2:93] We made a covenant with you, as we raised Mount Sinai above you, saying, “You shall uphold the commandments we have given you, strongly, and listen.” They said, “We hear, but we disobey.” Their hearts became filled with adoration for the calf, due to their disbelief. Say, “Miserable indeed is what your faith dictates upon you, if you do have any faith.”
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ ٱلطُّورَ خُذُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ قَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَأُشْرِبُوا۟ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلْعِجْلَ بِكُفْرِهِمْ قُلْ بِئْسَمَا يَأْمُرُكُم بِهِۦٓ إِيمَـٰنُكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
[4:154] And we raised Mount Sinai above them, as we took their covenant. And we said to them, “Enter the gate humbly.” And we said to them, “Do not desecrate the Sabbath.” Indeed, we took from them a solemn covenant.
وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَهُمُ ٱلطُّورَ بِمِيثَـٰقِهِمْ وَقُلْنَا لَهُمُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْبَابَ سُجَّدًا وَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ لَا تَعْدُوا۟ فِى ٱلسَّبْتِ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَـٰقًا غَلِيظًا
[7:171] We raised the mountain above them like an umbrella, and they thought it was going to fall on them: “You shall uphold what we have given you, strongly, and remember the contents thereof, that you may be saved.”
وَإِذْ نَتَقْنَا ٱلْجَبَلَ فَوْقَهُمْ كَأَنَّهُۥ ظُلَّةٌ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُۥ وَاقِعٌۢ بِهِمْ خُذُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
Specific details of this original covenant can be found in the following verses.
[2:83] Recall we made a covenant with the Children of Israel: “You shall not worship except GOD. You shall honor your parents and regard the relatives, the orphans, and the poor. You shall treat the people amicably. You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat).” But you turned away, except a few of you, and you became averse.
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَقُولُوا۟ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
[5:12] GOD had taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and we raised among them twelve patriarchs. And GOD said, “I am with you, so long as you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and believe in My messengers and respect them, and continue to lend GOD a loan of righteousness. I will then remit your sins, and admit you into gardens with flowing streams. Anyone who disbelieves after this, has indeed strayed off the right path.”
وَلَقَدْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَبَعَثْنَا مِنْهُمُ ٱثْنَىْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًا وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ إِنِّى مَعَكُمْ لَئِنْ أَقَمْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَيْتُمُ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَءَامَنتُم بِرُسُلِى وَعَزَّرْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَقْرَضْتُمُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا لَّأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّكُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ فَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ مِنكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ
Covenant Post-Calf (The Gentile Prophet)
After worshiping the calf, the Quran informs us that God made an addendum to His covenant with the Children of Israel, depicted in Sura 7, verses 155 to 158, and this addendum requires that they follow the Gentile Prophet when he arrives.
[7:155] Moses then selected seventy men from among his people, to come to our appointed audience. When the quake shook them, he said, “My Lord, You could have annihilated them in the past, together with me, if You so willed. Would You annihilate us for the deeds of those among us who are foolish? This must be the test that You have instituted for us. With it, You condemn whomever You will, and guide whomever You will. You are our Lord and Master, so forgive us, shower us with Your mercy; You are the best Forgiver.
وَٱخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُۥ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًا لِّمِيقَـٰتِنَا فَلَمَّآ أَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُم مِّن قَبْلُ وَإِيَّـٰىَ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ مِنَّآ إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَهْدِى مَن تَشَآءُ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْغَـٰفِرِينَ
[7:156] “And decree for us righteousness in this world, and in the Hereafter. We have repented to You. He said, “My retribution befalls whomever I will. But My mercy encompasses all things. However, I will specify it for those who (1) lead a righteous life, (2) give the obligatory charity (Zakat), (3) believe in our revelations, and
وَٱكْتُبْ لَنَا فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَآ إِلَيْكَ قَالَ عَذَابِىٓ أُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَنْ أَشَآءُ وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
[7:157] (4) follow the messenger, the Gentile prophet (Muhammad), whom they find written in their Torah and Gospel. He exhorts them to be righteous, enjoins them from evil, allows for them all good food, and prohibits that which is bad, and unloads the burdens and the shackles imposed upon them. Those who believe in him, respect him, support him, and follow the light that came with him are the successful ones.
الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِنْدَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
[7:158] Say, “O people, I am GOD’s messenger to all of you. To Him belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no god except He. He controls life and death.” Therefore, you shall believe in GOD and His messenger, the Gentile prophet, who believes in GOD and His words. Follow him, that you may be guided.
قُلْ يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ
النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ الَّذِي يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَكَلِمَاتِهِ وَاتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
Prophecy of the Gentile Prophet
The Bible has two references to the prophecy of the Gentile Prophet. The first occurrence can be found in Isaiah 42:
42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the Gentiles.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
Note the Quran confirms that the prophet was not verbose in his speech. He was not out in the streets preaching and didn’t even like to have lengthy conversations.
[9:61] Some of them hurt the prophet by saying, “He is all ears!” Say, “It is better for you that he listens to you. He believes in GOD, and trusts the believers. He is a mercy for those among you who believe.” Those who hurt GOD’s messenger have incurred a painful retribution.
وَمِنْهُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
[33:53] O you who believe, do not enter the prophet’s homes unless you are given permission to eat, nor shall you force such an invitation in any manner. If you are invited, you may enter. When you finish eating, you shall leave; do not engage him in lengthy conversations. This used to hurt the prophet, and he was too shy to tell you. But GOD does not shy away from the truth. If you have to ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and their hearts. You are not to hurt the messenger of GOD. You shall not marry his wives after him, for this would be a gross offense in the sight of GOD.*
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَدْخُلُوا۟ بُيُوتَ ٱلنَّبِىِّ إِلَّآ أَن يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ إِلَىٰ طَعَامٍ غَيْرَ نَـٰظِرِينَ إِنَىٰهُ وَلَـٰكِنْ إِذَا دُعِيتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوا۟ فَإِذَا طَعِمْتُمْ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ وَلَا مُسْتَـْٔنِسِينَ لِحَدِيثٍ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ يُؤْذِى ٱلنَّبِىَّ فَيَسْتَحْىِۦ مِنكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَـٰعًا فَسْـَٔلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَآءِ حِجَابٍ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُؤْذُوا۟ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَن تَنكِحُوٓا۟ أَزْوَٰجَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمًا
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
Notice the connection between the above passage from Isaiah and the verse from the Quran. The one sent to the gentile nation will be a covenant for the people of the scripture, removing the shackles imposed upon them and bringing them out of darkness into the light.
5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
[7:157] (4) follow the messenger, the Gentile prophet (Muhammad), whom they find written in their Torah and Gospel. He exhorts them to be righteous, enjoins them from evil, allows for them all good food, and prohibits that which is bad, and unloads the burdens and the shackles imposed upon them. Those who believe in him, respect him, support him, and follow the light that came with him are the successful ones.
الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِنْدَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
It is worth mentioning that Isaiah 42 also references the settlements of Kedar and the people of Sela, which are both Arab tribes of the descent of Ishmael and the Nabatians, respectively.
10 Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the ends of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
you islands, and all who live in them.
11 Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices;
let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;
let them shout from the mountaintops.
Kedar refers to a nomadic tribe in the Arabian Peninsula, which is mentioned several times in the Bible. They were descendants of Ishmael, as indicated in Genesis 25:13, where Kedar is listed as the second son of Ishmael, Abraham’s son by Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant. It states “the settlements where Kedar lives,” corresponding with the Hijaz where the prophet resided. Additionally, Muhammad is a descendant of Kedar.
Sela is a term in the Bible that refers to a geographical location, specifically a rock or mountainous area. The name “Sela” translates to “rock” in Hebrew, referring to the city of Petra, in modern-day Jordan. Petra is renowned for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system, and it served as the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom from around the 6th century BCE until Roman annexation in 106 CE.
We see another passage from Isaiah 49 that echoes this same message of one who is sent to the people (um) as a fulfillment of God’s covenant to the Children of Israel who will be a light for the Gentiles.
5 And now the Lord says—
he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
and gather Israel to himself,
for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord
and my God has been my strength—
6 he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”7 This is what the Lord says—
the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—
to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,
to the servant of rulers:
“Kings will see you and stand up,
princes will see and bow down,
because of the Lord, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”8 This is what the Lord says:
“In the time of my favor I will answer you,
and in the day of salvation I will help you;
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people,
to restore the land
and to reassign its desolate inheritances,
9 to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’
and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’
The reason this was a test for them was because the Children of Israel have a predisposition against Gentiles, so the fact that God sent his final prophet and scripture to Gentiles would serve as a significant test for the Children of Israel.
Messenger of the Covenant
There is one loose end. Before the coming of the New Covenant, the Bible in the Book of Malachi prophesized the coming of one who would be identified as the messenger of the covenant.
In Jewish interpretation, the “messenger of the covenant” is often understood to be a prophetic figure associated with the coming of the Messianic age. This figure is seen as one who will prepare the way for and announce the arrival of the Messiah, who will usher in an era of peace, justice, and righteousness. Some interpretations identify this messenger with Elijah the Prophet, based on the closing verses of Malachi (4:5-6), which prophesy Elijah’s return before the “great and dreadful day of the LORD.”
Christians traditionally interpret the “messenger” as John the Baptist, who is seen as fulfilling the role of preparing the way for Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe is the Lord and Messiah. This would make the “messenger of the covenant,” according to Christians as Jesus himself, except as seen above. Jesus himself never claimed to be the messenger of the covenant, and any interpretation that he was came from fabricated sources.
Yet, we will see how this messenger of the covenant better aligns with the Quranic narrative rather than either of the above Jewish or Christian understandings.
According to Malachi, this messenger will be dispatched to usher the New Covenant prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31.
Malachi 2:
8 “You, on the other hand, have turned from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have violated[b] the covenant of Levi,” says the Lord of Hosts. 9 “So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people because you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in your instruction.” 10 Don’t all of us have one Father? Didn’t one God create us? Why then do we act treacherously against one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? 11 Judah has acted treacherously, and a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the Lord’s sanctuary,[c] which He loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god.[d] 12 To the man who does this, may the Lord cut off any descendants[e][f] from the tents of Jacob, even if they present an offering to the Lord of Hosts.
It is worth pointing out that Malachi 2:8 accuses Judah of marrying the daughter of a foreign god, a euphemism describing how the people of Judah worshiped another god. This parallels Jeremiah 31:32, where the Israelites were accused of metaphorically cheating on God.
32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke My covenant, though I was a husband to[d] them,[e]” declares the Lord.
The passage continues that in response to this betrayal of their original covenant, God will send His messenger of the covenant, who will be the bearer of the New Covenant.
Malachi 3:
1 Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
The Quran provides insight into the identity of the messenger of the Covenant who came as part of this New Covenant, and it was not Muhammad.
[3:81] GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, “I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him.” He said, “Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?” They said, “We agree.” He said, “You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you.”
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ لَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَـٰبٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِۦ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُۥ قَالَ ءَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُمْ إِصْرِى قَالُوٓا۟ أَقْرَرْنَا قَالَ فَٱشْهَدُوا۟ وَأَنَا۠ مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
Since Muhammad was a prophet and, therefore, was among the prophets who took this covenant, then he can not be “the messenger of the covenant” that is mentioned. Additionally, we see the same covenant mentioned in the next chronologically revealed Sura, which indicates that this messenger was not Muhammad and that Muhammad was among the prophets who took this covenant.
[33:7] Recall that we took from the prophets their covenant, including you (O Muhammad), Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary. We took from them a solemn pledge.*
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مِيثَـٰقَهُمْ وَمِنكَ وَمِن نُّوحٍ وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَـٰقًا غَلِيظًا
Interestingly, this messenger of the covenant that is to come after the delivery of the Quran as prophesied in the Quran also corresponds with Malachi 3:16, which states that this person will come after “a book or remembrance” would be written.
Malachi 3:
16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another; the Lord heeded and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and thought on his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
One of the Quran’s names is “The Reminder” (al-Zikr / ٱلذِّكْرِ ). To remind someone of something implies that they must have already known it at some point. So this is a message that is based on innate knowledge that should resonate with the hearts of any sincere individual.
[3:58] These are the revelations that we recite to you, providing the Reminder full of wisdom.
ذَٰلِكَ نَتْلُوهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ وَٱلذِّكْرِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
[21:10] We have sent down to you a book containing your reminder. Do you not understand?
لَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكُمْ كِتَـٰبًا فِيهِ ذِكْرُكُمْ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
Dr. Rashad Khalifa
The name of the messenger of the covenant is Dr. Rashad Khalifa. As stated in the introduction of his Authorized English Translation of the Quran:
This is God’s final message to humanity. All of God’s prophets have come to this world, and all the scriptures have been delivered. The time has come to purify and consolidate all the messages delivered by God’s prophets into one message, and to proclaim that henceforth, there is only one religion acceptable to God, “Submission” (3:19, 85). “Submission” is the religion whereby we recognize God’s absolute authority, and reach an unshakeable conviction that God ALONE possesses all power; no other entity possesses any power that is independent of Him. The natural result of such a realization is to devote our lives and our worship absolutely to God ALONE. This is the First Commandment in all the scriptures, including the Old Testament, the New Testament, and this Final Testament.
| Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is One God! Therefore you shall adore the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. [Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:29-30, Quran 3:18] |
| Let us meditate on God, His glorious attributes, who is the basis of everything in this universe as its Creator, who is fit to be worshiped as Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient and self existent conscious being, who removes all ignorance and impurities from the mind and purifies and sharpens our intellect. [Gayatri Mantra, Yajur Veda] |
While every religion has been corrupted by innovations, traditions, and false, idolatrous doctrines, there may be “Submitters” within every religion. There may be Submitters who are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or anything else. These Submitters, collectively, constitute the only religion acceptable to God. As emphasized by the theme on the front page of this book, all Submitters who are devoted to God ALONE, and do not set up any idols beside God, are redeemed into God’s eternal kingdom (2:62). A criterion of the true submitters is that they will find nothing objectionable in the Quran.
More information regarding the messenger of the covenant and Dr. Rashad’s Khalifa can be found here, but below is an excerpt from Appendix 2 of his translation of the Quran.
God’s Messenger of the Covenant is a consolidating messenger. His mission is to purify and unify all existing religions into one: Submission (Islam).
Islam is NOT a name; it is a description of one’s total submission and devotion to God ALONE, without idolizing Jesus, Mary, Muhammad, or the saints. Anyone who meets this criterion is a “Muslim” (Submitter). Therefore, one may be a Muslim Jew, a Muslim Christian, a Muslim Hindu, a Muslim Buddhist, or Muslim Muslim.
God’s Messenger of the Covenant delivers God’s proclamation that “The only religion approved by God is Submission” (3:19) and that “Anyone who seeks other than Submission as a religion, it will not be accepted from him/her” (3:85).
A messenger of God must present proof that he is God’s messenger. Every messenger of God is supported by incontrovertible divine signs proving that he is authorized by the Almighty to deliver His messages. Moses threw down his staff and it turned into a serpent, Jesus healed the leprous and revived the dead by God’s leave, Sãleh’s sign was the famous camel, Abraham walked out of the fire, and Muhammad’s miracle was the Quran (29:50-51).
The Quran (3:81, 33:7, 33:40) and the Bible (Malachi 3:1-3) have prophesied the advent of the consolidating messenger, God’s Messenger of the Covenant. It is only befitting that a messenger with such a crucial mission must be supported by the most powerful miracle (74:30-35). While the miracles of previous messengers were limited in time and place, God’s miracle supporting His Messenger of the Covenant is perpetual; it can be witnessed by anyone, at anytime, in any place.
New Covenant and the Hearts & Minds
As mentioned previously, the Bible claims that the original Mosaic Covenant was conditional, and the New Covenant was to replace the Mosaic Covenant that the Children of Israel broke. As stated in Jeremiah 31, this New Covenant, unlike the previous covenant, will be placed in their minds and written on the hearts of the people. Through this New Covenant, God will forgive their previous iniquities.
Jeremiah 31
31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke My covenant, though I was a husband to[d] them,[e]” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Rituals
A ritual is a set of actions performed mainly for their symbolic value, prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. The nature of a ritual can be varied, encompassing rites of passage, ceremonial acts, or daily routines imbued with deeper significance. Several characteristics distinguish something as a ritual:
Structured Actions: Rituals involve a specific sequence of activities or behaviors that are often formalized and repetitive. These actions are usually performed in a set manner and order, according to established rules or scripts.
Symbolic Meaning: The actions in a ritual are rich in symbolism and are meant to convey deeper meanings, beliefs, values, or myths. The symbolism inherent in rituals connects participants to a larger narrative, be it religious, cultural, or familial.
Intention and Purpose: Rituals are conducted with specific intentions in mind, such as marking significant life events (births, marriages, deaths), facilitating transitions, invoking spiritual or divine presence, commemorating historical events, or reinforcing social bonds and community identity.
Sacredness or Solemnity: Many rituals are imbued with a sense of sacredness or solemnity, even if they are not explicitly religious. This quality elevates the actions above mundane activities, creating a space for reflection, reverence, or celebration.
Communal or Personal Participation: While many rituals are communal, involving group participation and serving to strengthen community ties, others are personal and private, offering individuals a means of personal expression, meditation, or spiritual practice.
Transcendence: Rituals often aim to connect participants with something greater than themselves, whether it’s a sense of community, cultural heritage, spiritual beliefs, or universal human experiences. This transcendence can provide participants with a sense of belonging, purpose, or understanding.
Transformative Potential: Through their structured nature and symbolic actions, rituals have the potential to transform participants’ states of mind, emotional well-being, social status, or spiritual awareness. This transformative aspect is a key element of why rituals are integral to many aspects of human life.
Something becomes a ritual when it encompasses structured, symbolic actions performed with intention and purpose, often carrying a sense of sacredness or solemnity and aiming to connect, transform, or transcend ordinary experiences. From an external perspective, rituals will appear arbitrary, lacking apparent rhyme or reason in their structure and execution.
Therefore, rituals are not constructs that individuals would typically formulate through their own volition or reasoning. Rather, they emerge as practices that necessitate decree and adherence, deriving their significance and authority not from inherent logic but from the mandate that establishes them. This distinction underscores the nature of rituals as formalized expressions of belief and tradition, upheld by the weight of communal or divine injunction rather than the dictates of personal discretion.
Rituals and Judiaism
By definition, much of Judiasim’s religious practices would be classified as rituals, characterized primarily by their stringent observance. However, despite being deeply rooted in the imperative of adhering to divine commandments, they appear seemingly devoid of logical basis from an external viewpoint. Outside of divine decree, no rational individual could devise such rules independently. This shows that these rules do not correspond with what one would conclude based on their heart and mind alone.
Kosher Dietary Laws: The laws of Kashrut dictate what is permissible to eat, how food must be prepared, and which foods cannot be consumed together (e.g., meat and dairy). For example, certain animals are considered unclean and are forbidden, such as mixing meat and dairy or eating shellfish. To non-Jews, the intricate rules, including the separation of meat and dairy dishes and utensils, might seem overly meticulous and unnecessary.
Shatnez: Mixing Fabrics: The prohibition against wearing clothing made of mixed wool and linen (shatnez) is a law with ancient roots (Leviticus 19:19, Deuteronomy 22:11) that may appear arbitrary without its religious context.
Eruv: An eruv is a ritual enclosure that surrounds Jewish neighborhoods, allowing activities normally prohibited on the Sabbath (such as carrying items in public spaces) within its boundaries. The legal intricacies involved in constructing an eruv might seem perplexing to those unfamiliar with Sabbath observances.
Sabbath Restrictions: The Sabbath (Shabbat) laws prohibit various forms of work from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, including using electricity, driving, or carrying objects in public spaces without an eruv. The extensive list of prohibitions aims to ensure rest and spiritual reflection, but the specifics of what constitutes “work” can appear complex and detailed.
Ritual Purity Laws: Laws concerning ritual purity, including those related to menstruation (niddah), may seem intricate and personal. For example, a woman is considered ritually impure during her menstrual period and for a week afterward, during which time she and her husband must refrain from physical contact. After this period, she immerses in a mikveh (ritual bath) to restore purity.
Quranic Law And Reason
It should be noted that the Quran is not devoid of rituals (nask); however, in comparison to Judaism, it significantly reduces the emphasis on ritual laws that were previously imposed upon the Children of Israel. Predominantly, the legal framework within the Quran lends itself to derivation through reason and rationality, and not tradition.
Furthermore, the rituals prescribed in the Quran occupy a less central role in an individual’s moral decision-making than observed in Judaism. This distinction highlights a differing approach to the role and prominence of ritual practices within the spiritual and legal landscapes of these two faith faiths.
This also reinforces how the Quran fulfills the promise of God’s New Covenant that it will be placed in their minds and written on the hearts of the people. My understanding from this is that this New Covenant will make intuitive sense to people, and can be deduced through logic and reason.
[38:29] This is a scripture that we sent down to you, that is sacred—perhaps they reflect on its verses. Those who possess intelligence will take heed.
كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
Quran and Innate Knowledge
The Quran informs us that monotheism is a natural instinct that every human is born with, and it is literally hardwired in our brains.
[30:30] Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of strict monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed into the people by GOD. Such creation of GOD will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know.
فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
This is also emphasized in the verse immediately after mentioning the original Covenant that God made with the Children of Israel (7:171), which states that we all instinctively know to worship God alone.
[7:172] Recall that your Lord summoned all the descendants of Adam, and had them bear witness for themselves: “Am I not your Lord?” They all said, “Yes. We bear witness.” Thus, you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, “We were not aware of this.”
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ مِن ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ شَهِدْنَآ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَـٰذَا غَـٰفِلِينَ
Additionally, God has placed instinctive knowledge of good and evil inside every human.
[91:7] The soul and Him who created it.
[91:8] Then showed it what is evil and what is good.
وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّىٰهَا
فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَىٰهَا
| 1 | fa-alhamahā | فَأَلْهَمَهَا | Then He placed innate knowledge in it (of) |
| 2 | fujūrahā | فُجُورَهَا | its evilness / immorality |
| 3 | wataqwāhā | وَتَقْوَىٰهَا | and its righteousness. |
The word “alham” ( أَلْهَم ) signifies “innate knowledge,” which means that every soul has been given the ability to distinguish between immorality and righteousness.
Sincerity Required for Salvation
The Quran informs us that only the sincere will be able to access the Quran.
[56:79] None can grasp it except the sincere.
لَّا يَمَسُّهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْمُطَهَّرُونَ
The Quran informs us that when true believers from the previous recipients of the scripture encounter the Quran, they will recognize it like they recognize their own children. To recognize something, you must have a conscious remembrance of it. This again shows that the message of the Quran is already embedded inside the people’s hearts and minds.
[2:146] Those who received the scripture recognize the truth herein, as they recognize their own children. Yet, some of them conceal the truth, knowingly.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يَعْرِفُونَهُۥ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنْهُمْ لَيَكْتُمُونَ ٱلْحَقَّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
So if someone is insincere, their heart will be hardened, and their mind will be locked, and the message will not be able to penetrate and resonate with them.
[7:2] This scripture has been revealed to you—you shall not harbor doubt about it in your heart—that you may warn with it, and to provide a reminder for the believers.
كِتَـٰبٌ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ فَلَا يَكُن فِى صَدْرِكَ حَرَجٌ مِّنْهُ لِتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
[17:45] When you read the Quran, we place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter an invisible barrier.
وَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حِجَابًا مَّسْتُورًا
[17:46] We place shields around their minds, to prevent them from understanding it, and deafness in their ears. And when you preach your Lord, using the Quran alone,* they run away in aversion.
وَجَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا وَإِذَا ذَكَرْتَ رَبَّكَ فِى ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَحْدَهُۥ وَلَّوْا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَـٰرِهِمْ نُفُورًا
The Quran forewarned that the hearts of the Children of Israel may become hardend against the message, despite exhorting them to not disregard their covenant and the promise that God made to them to deliver to them this book.
[2:40] O Children of Israel, remember My favor, which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your part of the covenant, that I fulfill My part of the covenant, and reverence Me.
[2:41] You shall believe in what I have revealed herein, confirming what you have; do not be the first to reject it. Do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price, and observe Me.
[2:42] Do not confound the truth with falsehood, nor shall you conceal the truth, knowingly.
يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتِىَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَوْفُوا۟ بِعَهْدِىٓ أُوفِ بِعَهْدِكُمْ وَإِيَّـٰىَ فَٱرْهَبُونِ
وَءَامِنُوا۟ بِمَآ أَنزَلْتُ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ وَلَا تَكُونُوٓا۟ أَوَّلَ كَافِرٍۭ بِهِۦ وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِى ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا وَإِيَّـٰىَ فَٱتَّقُونِ
وَلَا تَلْبِسُوا۟ ٱلْحَقَّ بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا۟ ٱلْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
But we see that despite this, it was an inevitable outcome for some of the Children of Israel.
[2:74] Despite this, your hearts hardened like rocks, or even harder. For there are rocks from which rivers gush out. Others crack and release gentle streams, and other rocks cringe out of reverence for GOD. GOD is never unaware of anything you do.
ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَهِىَ كَٱلْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً وَإِنَّ مِنَ ٱلْحِجَارَةِ لَمَا يَتَفَجَّرُ مِنْهُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَشَّقَّقُ فَيَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ ٱلْمَآءُ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَهْبِطُ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
Once their hearts are hardened then the message will not be able to penetrate their hearts.
[18:57] Who are more evil than those who are reminded of their Lord’s proofs, then disregard them, without realizing what they are doing. Consequently, we place shields on their hearts to prevent them from understanding it (the Quran), and deafness in their ears. Thus, no matter what you do to guide them, they can never ever be guided.
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا وَنَسِىَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا وَإِن تَدْعُهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ فَلَن يَهْتَدُوٓا۟ إِذًا أَبَدًا
Uncircumcised Hearts
On two occurrences (2:88 & 4:155), the Quran states that the Children of Israel’s hearts were uncircumcised ( قُلوبُنا غُلفٌ ).
[2:83] We made a covenant with the Children of Israel: “You shall not worship except GOD. You shall honor your parents and regard the relatives, the orphans, and the poor. You shall treat the people amicably. You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat).” But you turned away, except a few of you, and you became averse.
[2:84] We made a covenant with you, that you shall not shed your blood, nor shall you evict each other from your homes. You agreed and bore witness.
[2:85] Yet, here you are killing each other, and evicting some of you from their homes, banding against them sinfully and maliciously. Even when they surrendered, you demanded ransom from them. Evicting them was prohibited for you in the first place. Do you believe in part of the scripture and disbelieve in part? What should be the retribution for those among you who do this, except humiliation in this life, and a far worse retribution on the Day of Resurrection? GOD is never unaware of anything you do.
[2:86] It is they who bought this lowly life at the expense of the Hereafter. Consequently, the retribution is never commuted for them, nor can they be helped.
[2:87] We gave Moses the scripture, and subsequent to him we sent other messengers, and we gave Jesus, son of Mary, profound miracles and supported him with the Holy Spirit. Is it not a fact that every time a messenger went to you with anything you disliked, your ego caused you to be arrogant? Some of them you rejected, and some of them you killed.
[2:88] Some would say, “OUR HEARTS ARE UNCIRCUMCISED!” Instead, it is a curse from GOD, as a consequence of their disbelief, that keeps them from believing, except for a few of them.وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَقُولُوا۟ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَكُمْ لَا تَسْفِكُونَ دِمَآءَكُمْ وَلَا تُخْرِجُونَ أَنفُسَكُم مِّن دِيَـٰرِكُمْ ثُمَّ أَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ
ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ تَقْتُلُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَتُخْرِجُونَ فَرِيقًا مِّنكُم مِّن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ تَظَـٰهَرُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَإِن يَأْتُوكُمْ أُسَـٰرَىٰ تُفَـٰدُوهُمْ وَهُوَ مُحَرَّمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ إِخْرَاجُهُمْ أَفَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِبَعْضِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَتَكْفُرُونَ بِبَعْضٍ فَمَا جَزَآءُ مَن يَفْعَلُ ذَٰلِكَ مِنكُمْ إِلَّا خِزْىٌ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَشَدِّ ٱلْعَذَابِ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَقَفَّيْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ بِٱلرُّسُلِ وَءَاتَيْنَا عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَيَّدْنَـٰهُ بِرُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ أَفَكُلَّمَا جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌۢ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰٓ أَنفُسُكُمُ ٱسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ
وَقَالُوا۟ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌۢ بَل لَّعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَقَلِيلًا مَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ
[4:155] (They incurred condemnation) for violating their covenant, rejecting GOD’s revelations, killing the prophets unjustly, and for saying, “Our minds are made up!” In fact, GOD is the One who sealed their minds, due to their disbelief, and this is why they fail to believe, except rarely.
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَـٰقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِم بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ ٱلْأَنۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَقَوْلِهِمْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌۢ بَلْ طَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
This expression of an “uncircumcised heart” is also a common expression in the Bible to people who are not upholding God’s covenant despite bearing the physical mark of the covenant of circumcision.
[Jeremiah 9:25 – 26] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will punish all who are CIRCUMCISED ONLY IN THE FLESH—Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel ARE UNCIRCUMCISED IN HEART.”
[Deuteronomy 10:16] CIRCUMCISE YOUR HEARTS, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
[Deuteronomy 30:6] The Lord your God will CIRCUMCISE YOUR HEARTS AND THE HEARTS OF YOUR DESCENDANTS, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
[Leviticus 26:41] which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies—then when THEIR UNCIRCUMCISED HEARTS are humbled and they pay for their sin,
[Jeremiah 4:4] Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, CIRCUMCISE YOUR HEARTS, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done— burn with no one to quench it.
God could have utilized any number of alternative words to articulate someone whose mind is made up, but in these two instances, He selected this word. The significance of this to me is that this shows that the Children of Israel who are called out in these two verses, despite them being physically circumcised as part of their covenant with God, their hearts were not fulfilling their part of the agreement and therefore it is as if they are spiritually uncircumcised.
Final Thoughts
The revelation of the Quran has fulfilled the New Covenant, as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31. Moses’ prominence as the most frequently cited prophet in the Quran underscores a continuity of divine engagement with the Children of Israel, offering them a final scripture to complete their covenant with God.
The Quran’s direct appeal to the Children of Israel, calling for accepting its teachings, allows them to fulfill their promised New Covenant. It emphasizes that with openness and sincerity of heart, the Israelites will be divinely guided to see the truth therein, thereby liberating them from the burdens and afflictions inherited from their past transgressions.
[5:65] If only the people of the scripture believe and lead a righteous life, we will then remit their sins, and admit them into gardens of bliss.
وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَكَفَّرْنَا عَنْهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ وَلَأَدْخَلْنَـٰهُمْ جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
[5:66] If only they would uphold the Torah and the Gospel, and what is sent down to them herein from their Lord, they would be showered with blessings from above them and from beneath their feet. Some of them are righteous, but many of them are evildoers.
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ أَقَامُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِم مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ لَأَكَلُوا۟ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِم مِّنْهُمْ أُمَّةٌ مُّقْتَصِدَةٌ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ سَآءَ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ
[5:67] O you messenger, deliver what is revealed to you from your Lord— until you do, you have not delivered His message—and GOD will protect you from the people. GOD does not guide the disbelieving people.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
[5:68] Say, “O people of the scripture, you have no basis until you uphold the Torah, and the Gospel, and what is sent down to you herein from your Lord.” For sure, these revelations from your Lord will cause many of them to plunge deeper into transgression and disbelief. Therefore, do not feel sorry for the disbelieving people.
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَسْتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰ تُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُم مَّآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَـٰنًا وَكُفْرًا فَلَا تَأْسَ عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
[5:69] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, and the Christians; any of them who (1) believe in GOD and (2) believe in the Last Day, and (3) lead a righteous life, have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـُٔونَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
[5:70] We have taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and we sent to them messengers. Whenever a messenger went to them with anything they disliked, some of them they rejected, and some they killed.
لَقَدْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمْ رُسُلًا كُلَّمَا جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌۢ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰٓ أَنفُسُهُمْ فَرِيقًا كَذَّبُوا۟ وَفَرِيقًا يَقْتُلُونَ
[5:71] They thought that they would not be tested, so they turned blind and deaf, then GOD redeemed them, but then many of them turned blind and deaf again. GOD is Seer of everything they do.
وَحَسِبُوٓا۟ أَلَّا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ فَعَمُوا۟ وَصَمُّوا۟ ثُمَّ تَابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ عَمُوا۟ وَصَمُّوا۟ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
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