Are Muslims Descendants of Abraham? Few questions in interfaith discussions surface as often—or as confidently—as the claim that “Muslims trace their lineage back to Abraham through Ishmael.” It is said with the tone of something long settled, a statement woven into public imagination simply because it sounds plausible. Yet familiarity does not guarantee accuracy. When we look closely at Scripture, history, and theological development, a more nuanced—and far more interesting—

Did the Nations of Arabia Descend from Ishmael? A persistent belief in religious tradition is that the Arab peoples all descend from Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. It is a claim repeated in sermons, commentaries, and even political rhetoric. Muslims often embrace it as part of their heritage, while some Christians use it to connect Ishmael’s story in Genesis to modern Middle Eastern politics. But is this actually true?