In the story of Abraham, Allah says: “When his Lord said to him, ‘Submit,’ he replied, ‘I have submitted to the Lord of all creation.’” Abraham showed no hesitation; he surrendered to Allah and complied with His command.

“And Abraham enjoined this upon his children—and so did Jacob,” meaning that he bequeathed this very counsel: that they should surrender to Allah outwardly and inwardly. Outward Islam is observed by establishing the prayer, giving zakah, fasting the month of Ramadan, and making pilgrimage to the Sacred House; inward Islam consists in believing in Allah, His angels, His books, and so forth.

Again, “And Abraham enjoined this upon his children—and so did Jacob,” that is, both Abraham and Jacob instructed their sons, saying, “Allah has chosen the religion for you; so do not die except while you are Muslims.” In other words, adopt Islam as your religion, remain steadfast upon it until death, and never revert from it.

Allah also says: “Or were you present when death came to Jacob, when he said to his sons, ‘What will you worship after I am gone?’ They answered, ‘We will worship your God and the God of your forefathers—Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac—one God alone.’” This is the height of pure monotheism. It reflects Jacob’s sincere concern for his sons; he wished to ascertain their belief before leaving this world. “What will you worship after me?” he asked. They replied, “We will worship your God and the God of your forefathers—Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac.”

Abraham in this context is their father in the sense of being their grandfather; Isaac is their direct father, and Ishmael is their uncle. Yet the text employs the collective term “forefathers” by way of predominance, because