That which thou hast heard concerning Abraham, the Friend of
the All-Merciful, is the truth, and no doubt is there about it. The Voice of
God commanded Him to offer up Ishmael as a sacrifice, so that His steadfastness
in the Faith of God and His detachment from all else but Him may be
demonstrated unto men. The purpose of God, moreover, was to sacrifice him as a
ransom for the sins and iniquities of all the peoples of the earth. This same
honor, Jesus, the Son of Mary, besought the one true God, exalted be His name
and glory, to confer upon Him.
- Baha’u’llah
('Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah')
