What does the Quran teach, if anything, about the covenant in Genesis 17?

Question

I’m writing a paper on Genesis 17 and I would love to include the perspective of Islam. Any references do not necessarily have to be from the Quran but they should be from a relatively ancient source.

Here is a link to the passage in question: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+17&version=NIV

Answer 1

Starting on a tangent but did you know that in Islam there is a Prophet named Zakariyah (aka Priest Zechariah in Bible) who is the father of Prophet Yahya (aka John the Baptist in Bible).

Coming back to your question about Genesis 17:

1. Prophet Ibrahim (aka Prophet Abraham in Bible):

In the Quran, Chapter 2, Verse 124:

"And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [ Allah ] said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." [Abraham] said, "And of my descendants?" [ Allah ] said, "My covenant does not include the wrongdoers."

2. Sarah bearing a child in old age:

In the Quran, Chapter 11, Verses 69-73:

And certainly did Our messengers come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf.But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them apprehension. They said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Lot."And his Wife was standing, and she smiled. Then We gave her good tidings of Isaac and after Isaac, Jacob. She said, "Woe to me! Shall I give birth while I am an old woman and this, my husband, is an old man? Indeed, this is an amazing thing!" They said, "Are you amazed at the decree of Allah ? May the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, people of the house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Honorable."

3. Circumcision of all male believers

Circumcision is not mentioned in the Quran but is highlighted in many Hadiths

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said "The Prophet) Abraham circumcised himself after he had passed the age of eighty years and he circumcised himself with an axe." Sahih al-Bukhari,Book 79, Hadith 70

and

Ibn Shihab said, "When a man became Muslim, he was ordered to have himself circumcised, >even if he was old." Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Book 1, Hadith 1252

and

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as having said that Ibrahim (as) circumcised >himself with the help of an adze when he was eighty years old. Sahih Muslim, Book 43, Hadith 199

There are many more Hadiths like the one below which state that circumcision is part of human nature for a male believer:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said "Five things are in accordance with Al Fitra : to be circumcised, to shave the pelvic region, to pull out the hair of the armpits, to cut short the moustaches, and to clip the nails." Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 79, Hadith 69

There are many similarities between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Unfortunately, we humans choose to concentrate on what's different and fight over it :)

Say, "O People of the Book, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except God and not associate anything with Him and not take other as gods instead of God." But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]." Quran 3:64