Are Arabs/Muslims really descendents of Abraham and Hagar's son Ishmael?

thats what they claim but seeing as how abraham is a myth i doubt it

I am sorry, but I do not understand what you mean by when you say Arabs and Muslims are "descendents" of Abraham and Hagar's son Ishmael.

Its not that we are all part of the same family chain or anything. I mean, look; Islam reaches from the coasts of Western Africa to the coasts of Southern Phillippines. Islam is a universal religion, and does not prejudice anyone's race, ethnicity, culture or nationality.

Islam is said to be a complete religion in which values passed down from the prophets sent by God are combined to form a spiritual, ethical and moral conduct withing human beings.

When I say values, I refer to a set of standards upon which people make judgements as to whether a particular action is right or wrong.

Islam also has an extremely strong belief in one god. And believes that the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was the last prophet sent by God.

This is the most scientific explaination I can give you, rather than a religious perspective.

Don't believe everything perverts like Robert Spencer and Daniel Pipes had to say about Islam.

I once read one of Spencer's books. One of the striking things he says is that the Taliban of Afghanistan was practicing the pure version of Islam, and claims that secular Muslims are "apostates". He points out that Islam does not change with social and technological changes.

Sorry Spencer, but that is a TOTALLY wrong assumption.

Whether or not people want to change is their choice. A man cannot follow a religion if he himself takes away the humanity out of him and others for the sake of religion. His interpretations of his religion has no value. Bin Laden and his Al Queda organization certainly fits that criteria.

People might disagree with something, and may critisize it. But it is also important to be respectful such that the other side of the debate shows support.

I don't think that the way parts of Western media paints Islam will solve that.

You are in the wrong section to be looking for answers. Most people posting here are to find fault with or lash out at one another. Lord forbid anyone think about really requesting information instead of giving opinions on this site. Being here is like looking for a needle in a haystack hunting for true issues and finding nothing but pigs.

I’ve not been a member very long and it took me even less to come to this conclusion. I have finally collected enough contacts to make my efforts worth while.

I honestly believe it best you try another category perhaps culture and groups.

The Best of Luck. I would love to know what you find out. This has been an intrest of mine as well.

Yes.... this subject has been researched to death and the connection is real. Yes, it did take many, many years to develop into what it is now, but remember, during the time of Abraham, Judaism had yet to develop either.

It would be Abraham's grand-son Jacob who would have the name change to "Israel" and it was his 12 sons that became the patriarchs of the 12 Tribes of Israel.

The history of Abraham, Sara, Hagar, Issac and Ishmael go way back.

Arabs were already living all over when Abraham came to settle in Canaan, so this whole thing about all Arabs being descendants of Hagar is not necessarily true.

One thing that is interesting to note though is this:

Sarah sent Hagar and her son out into the desert because Ishamael was the son of a slave-woman. Ironically she became a slave of the Pharoah and was given to Sarah was because her father was unable to pay taxes after a famine.

Due to this arrogance of Sarah, ironically all of her children had to be enslaved in Egypt for four centuries, so that the pride of being "free" or looking down upon the enslaved be permanently blotted out from mankind's state of mind.

A second irony, which is unrelated to your question is this. Sarah's grandson Jacob took two wives and they had two of their servant girls sleep with him as Sarah had done with Hagar who slept with Abraham. Thus Jacob or Israel had two concubines who gave him children, and thus the lineage of Sarah continued through children of concubines early on. Ultimately during the four hundred years of enslavement, not one Jewish person could ever claim that their ancestors were not slaves. Thus the Almighty does not allow pride and arrogance to remain on his side of things.

Lastly another interesting dimension to your question is this:

Hagar was by herself in the desert with her son who was about to die of thirst. She was running between two hills called Safa and Marwa as she kept seeing mirages that seemed like water. When she had run seven times, she saw that water was bubbling out at the place where her child digging his heels in the sand in his final throes of death. She used that water to save his life!!

Now Hagar was a homeless slave woman of Africa, without a friend in the World in the middle of the desert, and her only treasure, her son was dying off. These were the lowest moments of her life. These are immortalized in the rituals during hajj in which even a king has to follow the footstep of this downtrodden person of humanity in her lowest moments of life. Thereafter a person becomes a Haji and is given much respect among all Muslims.

People from almost all races and regions of the World have come and done hajj and attained this "glory".

I thought this was a poignant point to make. Ultimately humility is the path to glory and putting yourself down in front of the Almighty is the best way of rising. If not the Almighty has a way of diminishing those who are arrogant!!

yeah, it is believed so...

it's in the bible too, that god told abraham not to worry because he would make a great nation out of ishmael's descendants...

Yes they are - along with Esau's descendants. Recall that Esau was Jacob's brother who also lost his rightful inheritance. Its all in the Good Book - the Holy Bible.

For this, please try to find the following book and go the whole hog.

Arabs and Israels Conflict or Conciliation? Author: Ahmed Deedat.

The following website would also be helpful:

http://www.harunyahya.com/

according to historian, inside kabaah there were a painting of Abrahama and Ishmael... so it doesn't need bible to show the link of arabian descendent and abraham.

does't it help you?

Yes I am a descendent of Abraham.

yes