Why do Muslims say Ishmael was the promised seed rather than Isaac?
Muslims argue that the Old Testament has been polluted and distorted, so they reject its testimony that the promise ran through Isaac. They claim that in reality Ishmael was the promised seed. The Bible, however, says the singular seed would come through Isaac, and that seed is Christ.
Les explains that the Muslim world argues against the biblical line of promise because they claim the Old Testament has been polluted and distorted, and that in reality Ishmael was the promised seed. He warns that this is how people are easily confused and led astray. By contrast, the Abrahamic covenant promise runs through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve sons to the Messiah, not through Ishmael. Scripture says, “in Isaac shall thy seed be called,” the singular seed. Galatians 3:16 further says the promises were made to Abraham and his seed, not many seeds, and that seed is Christ, so all the world is blessed through that Abrahamic covenant.