If Abraham is the patriarch of the three great religions of the world, then his wife would be the matriarch. It so happens to be that according to Islamic teachings, Abraham had two wives, and God promised both of them descendants that would comprise enitre nations. The Jewish people point to Abraham’s first wife Sarah as their matriarch. Judaism upholds that Isaac was the son of Abraham through Sarah, and that the Jews of Moses were his descendants. Yet, they remain inconspicuous on the subject of the descendants of the child through the second wife, Hagar.

On the other hand Islam contends that Ishmael, Abraham’s first born child through Hagar, was as essential as Isaac. The Islamic view is that Ishmael was almost sacrificed, as opposed to the Jewish view of Isaac being the only select child. While maintaining that through Isaac came Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron and various other prophets, Islam asserts that the seal of the prophets was Muhammad who was through the lineage of Ishmael.

The Jewish doctrine of the covenant forms the grounds for the belief that the Israelites are God’s chosen people. Similar Judeo-centric views persist in the Jewish dogma, as Sarah and Isaac are depicted as select individuals while Hagar and Ishmael are portrayed in an understated manner. In fact, in Jewish texts, Hagar is mentioned as a surrogate mother rather than a wife, while Ishmael is also often viewed as being wicked.

According to Islamic tradition, Abraham conceives a son with Hagar as Sarah is unable to bear children. However, after Ishmael’s birth, Sarah also miraculously gives birth to Isaac. As a result, Abraham brings Hagar and Ishmael to Mecca and leaves them under God’s care, although visiting them from time to time. The objective of this journey is portrayed as to "resettle" rather than to "expel" Hagar.

After meeting with the Al-Iman students a couple more times since our initial introduction, I feel differently about who I represent. I initially felt that I would first be perceived as a “member of the other religion”, rather than as an individual, and I still feel that they initially thought of me in that sense. At that point, they simply did not know me well enough to think otherwise. I thought that once they got past that they would see me as a Jew of a certain sort (a tallit- and tefillin-wearing Conservative, Ashkenazi Jew), and after that they would see me just as a unique Jew who practices in a way that feels comfortable. I don’t think that the last two steps really happened in our relationship. I simply went from being “a Jewish kid” to “Sarielle, who knows a lot about Judaism because she practices it”.

The biggest barrier between the two groups during the meetings was the cultural divide. I couldn’t understand how they could be so sheltered, how they could have opinions (specifically about their practice of religion) that were unadulterated by western culture, or how they could live only within their community. Mostly, I was confused by the fact that two similar religious groups in the same culture would end up being so different from each other. During the classes that followed our initial meeting, we learned more about the Muslim-American population, mostly from various guest speakers. I discovered that the reason for the differences in the cultures of the communities could be traced back to the fact that the immigrant-based Muslim population (as opposed to the African-American Muslim community) was still relatively young. My Muslim peers were first- or second-generation Americans at most, as opposed to a fourth generation American Jew (like me). When I learned that, it was as if everything suddenly made sense, and I was able to see past the cultural differences and to better understand my Muslim peers.

Sarielle Luger

The Ka’aba is the black-draped block of granite in the center of Mecca where Ibrahim is believed to have tried to sacrifice Ismail. It is supposed to be where the aspirations and loyalties of all Muslims come together and the final destination on the traditional Islamic journey to Mecca. It is covered with a black cloth with gold embroidery and represents the holiest place in Islam.

If I was a Muslim and undertook the Hajj, I think the most meaningful part of the experience would be the ihram because it would be very peaceful and calming to be equal in the eyes of God. Furthermore, I think the power in numbers and the fact that we all would be wearing the same thing and there for the same purpose would have an extremely unifying effect on my being. I would feel as though I was a part of a bigger whole, which would give me great comfort in the questions I have about my existence. After all, we all exist on this earth together and are struggling to get by despite our differences.

-Robyn Spector

Muhammad became initiated into the new religion that he helped to build when the angel Gabriel asked him to recite and he couldn’t. The textbook also talks about the feelings that motivated Muhammad to continue studying and devoting time to his new goal. The origin of the Qur’an is important as a collection of the recitations that Muhammad had in his lifetime. The poetic style of the Qur'an is as important as its content, which includes religious doctrine, law, social values, morality and history. The range of topics varies so much that it seems unlikely that an illiterate man like Muhammad would be so bright, therefore Muslims believe a supernatural or divine power told him to write it.

The first Sura in the Qur’an talks about Allah, who is believed to be compassionate and merciful. He helps and rewards people who worship him by guiding them on a straight path. This idea is very similar to Jewish beliefs of God, especially in the paragraphs of the Shma prayer, which also praises God and implies that by worshiping him the people will be rewarded. The similarity is apparent, in part because all monotheistic religions want to make sure their followers are obedient and because of the need for a higher power to enforce their laws.

The judgment day, on which the evil will be punished and the kind rewarded, is a crucial idea in a theocratic society because it ensures order and sets consequences for breaking the society’s code. Judaism has a similar idea for the judgment day, which we experience annually on Yom Kippur. As in Islam, Judaism promises its followers' the reward of being listed in the book of life or the punishment in exclusion from this book.

-Timur Meyster

Religion is one of the most important aspects of ones’ life. It is important to understand all components of ones’ religion. To assure oneself that you are following the religion that is best suited for ones own life, one must gain knowledge of other religions. Dialogue and discussions are very important concepts when it comes to understanding the foundations of religion. Things such as doctrine, culture, laws, prophets, and texts should be discussed in a philosophical and logical manner. Another technique in research is through the use of Holy books for evidence to examine one’s point. In Islam, there are things that should be reshaped such as culture being within the faith. The discussion of faith and people in the intra-group context is often one that stands a little bit more conservative while inter-group discussions often lack open-thinking and can cause religious debate.

When discussing the foundations of faith with an individual who follows the same religion but from a different sect, the use of that group’s holy text is particularly a wise tool to use. For example, if discussing the successor ship of Imam Ali (A.S) with an individual from the Sunni sect, one would use Surah Ma’idah (5:67); "O Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and If you do not, You have not delivered His message (at all); And Allah will protect you from the people, For Allah does not guide those who reject Faith.” This text explains the event that took place when the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) received a revelation from Angel Jibraeel, and could possibly strengthen ones point. According to some Muslims, upon receiving this verse, Prophet Mohammad announced to the people that he has appointed Imam Ali (A.S) as his successor and the leader for the Muslim Ummah.

When it comes to explaining principals of faith to individuals outside ones religion, it is wise to use citations from both religious texts. One must make sure to talk in manner that will not offend the opposite group, in general using logic, so that the point is delivered clearly and eloquently. For example, often time’s people have viewed the Shias as “crazy” because they beat their chests during the month of Muharram for the Prophets grandson’s, (Imam Hussein (A.S) martyrdom. If one was discussing this topic with a Christian, one may use the Holy Bible to prove ones point. Chest beating is a way to express mourning. When Jesus was being crucified, there were people who wanted to prevent the crucifixion. Since their voices were not heard and Jesus was later crucified, they started to beat their chest to express their sorrow and sadness. In the Bible, Luke 23:48 states: “When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts”.

One must make sure not to include cultural issues while discussing religion because people might confuse religion with culture, or vice versa. This is one weakness of some Muslims in today’s society. They tend to push culture into Islam and start practicing culture as religion. In some cultures, love marriages are not allowed. People then make it Haram (forbidden) for such acts to take place. While in Islam it is allowed. Yes, one can be a cultural individual but when it comes to religion, ones culture should be kept aside. This is one thing that needs to be reshaped and evaluated.

Discussions and dialogue are important when it comes to choosing the right religion for one’s life. Discussing an issue that is on one’s mind is sometimes better than doing research or reading a book. If a matter is discussed with one who has knowledge and experience is more helpful because one can question certain topics and make remarks and comments on feelings they hold towards a particular topic. It is accentuate to use references that will prove ones point. If a Muslim individual is having a dialogue with a person following Islam, the Holy Quran is the best reference. If the other person is from another religion, one can use the opposite religion’s Holy Books as a reference. It is important to keep culture and religion two separate topics, especially when discussing either one

-Huda Almuhaisen