Muslims

When Jacob lay dying, his primary concern for his sons was not the safety of their lands or their worldly inheritance, but the precise nature of what they would worship after he was gone (2:133). The Quran presents the identity of those who submit to God not as an unprecedented movement, but as an ancient, unbroken allegiance. Both Abraham and Jacob bound their children to this specific, enduring command, reminding them that God had chosen their religion and warning them to remain devoted to Him right up to their dying moment (2:132). This community of faith is anchored in a strict, upright monotheism that refuses to associate any other entity with the Creator.

Who belongs to the religion of Abraham?

In response to those who argued that true guidance belonged exclusively to those who became Jews or Christians, the Quran directs the Prophet to reject that framework and point to an older precedent: the religion of Abraham (2:135). The text defines Abraham not by a specific tribal or sectarian label, but by his posture—he was "upright," a man who deliberately avoided worshipping any god besides God.

This devotion is characterized by a broad recognition of divine revelation across history. Believers are instructed to publicly declare their faith in God and in an extensive chain of scripture. They must affirm what was sent down to them alongside what was given to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Tribes, Moses, Jesus, and all the preceding prophets (2:136). The community is commanded to make no distinction between any of these messengers, recognizing them all as agents of the exact same Lord and stating simply, "we devote ourselves to Him."

Are believers judged by the righteousness of their ancestors?

While the text places heavy emphasis on this noble spiritual lineage, it firmly severs the tie between historical admiration and personal salvation. After outlining the righteous declarations of Jacob's sons, the Quran immediately resets the focus to the present, noting that this earlier community has long since passed away (2:134).

The spiritual standing of men like Abraham, Ishmael, or Isaac provides no automatic merit for those who claim to follow them centuries later. The text establishes a stark, unbending boundary of personal accountability: what those ancient communities earned belongs entirely to them, and what current believers earn belongs strictly to themselves. No individual will be held answerable for the deeds of those who came before them (2:134).

Belonging to this faith requires individuals to stand independently responsible for their own actions while intentionally walking the path laid out by the earliest patriarchs. It is a dual command to strip away later sectarian divisions and return directly to the foundational vow. It echoes the immediate, unhesitating promise Jacob's sons gave to their father in his final hour, when they affirmed they would worship the God of Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac as one single God, confirming clearly, "we devote ourselves to Him" (2:133).