Sons of Abraham

The struggle for land and nationhood in the Palestine/Israel region is so utterly tragic and so unnecessary. The violence and killing which has been going on continuously, day after day since the end of World War II — when ‘peace’ was supposed to have finally arrived — seems like a cruel mockery. The war did not end, for many people in the Holy land, it just got a whole lot worse.

On analysis, the nature of this conflict is about family. The central figure around which the issue rotates is the Patriarch Abraham, father of the prophets; one side of his family believe that God gave the homeland as a gift only to them — the Bani Israel. But on closer inspection of the written legacy in Genesis (17:8), we find that the promise of the land of Canaan was for the ‘seed’ of Abraham, and at this point Isaac (father of Israel/Jacob) had not yet been born. Therefore, the first son of the Prophet named Ishmael, who was thirteen at the time, was the only living heir. This was the first Covenant, and it was sealed by Abraham and Ishmael performing circumcision, as commanded by God.

The implication is clear: that ALL the children of Abraham were included in this covenant. Interesting indeed is a study by an international team of archaeologists and geneticists, which found that most of today’s Arabic and Middle-East Jewish populations share a strong genetic link to the ancient Canaanites. Needless to say, all male members of Arab and Jewish tribes since then have been circumcised. So, if the claim to the land is based on God’s Covenant, we must admit that it was not one-sided; not only for one seed of Abraham.

We also know that Ishmael had twelve sons (Genesis 17:20), and at least one daughter. And even though Abraham was forced by Sarah to send Ishmael and his mother Hajar away into the desert, after Isaac was born, we know the family ties between Ishmael and Isaac remained strong. Ishmael was actually the uncle of Israel (Jacob) and Isaac even married his eldest son Esau to Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael. Also we learn that the two brothers buried their father Abraham together, the tomb is in an area now known as the city of Hebron/Al-Khalili.

In the Qur’an we learn much more about the bond between Abraham and Ishmael. Many times the patriarch travelled from Canaan to the valley of Makkah, to visit his son and wife, Hajar. The house of God — the Ka’bah — itself was built by Abraham and Ishmael, the central direction of worship of the One God, for all Muslims and believers around the world.

I am repeating these facts because I believe the land Palestine and Israel has indeed been bequeathed for all the children of Abraham, and the teachings and worship of One God. That is the view which should be adopted by the rest of the world, and all efforts made to reunite the hearts of Ishmaelites with the Israelites, and pray to God for the genocidal killing to stop, and forgiveness and peace to reign.

“There is no good in much of their secret conferences except those who enjoineth charity and kindness and peace-making among the people. Whosoever does that, seeking the good pleasure of God, We shall bestow on him a great reward.” Al Nisa (4):114

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[Relly_Belfad]

Thanks Yusuf.
I hope your wise and sensible words find willing and wise ears in this world. Stop the war and engage in peace talks.

[MACTRUQUE]

Thankful someone with a voice has spoken of the true root of the Covenant

[shirleykaye]

When I talk to people about this, they seem to not believe me. In the portions of the Qur'an that I have been able to read, God said that all of the children of Abraham were brothers and sisters--Christians, Muslims, and Jews. It was a statement of fact, the first religions which were monotheistic. I was raised very Reform Jewish. At my University, I took summer school one year so that I could graduate a semester early, being a girl from Miami in Indiana in the winter was not a good combination. One dorm was open for students. I became friends with several young men from Kuwait. Every morning, a bunch of us ate breakfast together, me, the Kuwaitis, a Baptist girl who had never met a Jewish or Muslim person in her life, a very unusual crew. We talked about our culture, and so much of it was the same. We are one people. The rules of Kosher food and the rules of Halal food are almost identical. We are all Semitic who can trace our origins back far enough. I did not understand then, nor do I understand now, what the fighting is actually all about except it being about power and possession. This is not what God had ordered. I am not as learned as Yusuf or many others, but when there are simple facts presented simply, it isn't that hard to honor them. Yet the hearts of humans seem to be focused on gaining power, possessions, rulership, it is all "Me Mine Me". At the Jewish High Holy Days after summer school, my Kuwaiti friends were upset that I would not have a Kosher meal. Several of them lived in a nice house off campus. They invited me to the house, they cooked a traditional Halal/Kosher desert dweller meal, and we all ate together as one. I will always treasure their friendship and being with them in a school where there were few Jews and few Muslims, when we were together, we were family. How much more pleasant it was to be family than to be enemies, and to follow the word of God together.

[ellendoyle]

No more war! Most wars are fought over religions and have been for 1000s of years. We should all be living in peace. Thank you for your video as it shows they all are related.

[madelinerains]

Beautiful. You have always brought love and sense to the table with your music, as here.

[janicebasilicata]

You always are full of love for all men. We are all Gods children. If only political leaders and all men would emulate your love of man kind we would have a peaceful world. All your songs spread your philosophy of love for all. We need you in our world and your songs.
“ King of the Land” continues to send these messages. No matter what religion we practice….their is one God who wants us to love each other. Thank you for continually spreading such beautiful messages.

[bluerevolver]

Amen...may all beings in ease and safety know peace and harmony. Thank you for your illuminating post. God bless us all.

[Ruinwalkers]

We are the many from the one. There is no us and them, only us. Reject the words of men that seek to sow division for their own gains. Love each other as the family we are. Praise to the one!

[dianeharris]

Thank you for this. Please keep you and yours safe. The world and his wife love you your music and your wise words xxx

[julieangel]

I agree! Exactly! Thank you for these words of wisdom Yusuf! Peace!! ✌❤

[laraable]

Great video dear Yusuf.
God blessings to all.

[tamborinevillage]

That was lovely to read first thing in the morning. Bless you and you family and all our relatives in the world.

[skywalktriceiam]

God Bless you, and ALL of us!
🕊☮✌🏼💜💜💜🙏

[kirstenlogan]

وإذا سألت ربك فأجابك أني رزقتكم بألف ملائكة.)

(فأجابهم ربهم )

الله أمين يا رب العالمين

[magnusjahn]

I hope humans can hear and understand your pray/song/words!

[glx]

A GOD-given message of deepest humanity, believing and worth. We all have to understand! Thanks to you Yusuf....❤

[leiraalvarez]

Sublime, sigamos orando y uniéndonos a cada corazón por la Paz. ⚘

Great video. Peace, peace, ✌️ without matter the religion!!!

[kluv]

Why must we go on hating? Can't we just be at peace? Peace train sounding louder 🎉

[acdebiase]

Thank you Yousef! Keep the Peace train going. 🙏