Journal of Interreligious Studies on the Quran and the Bible

Journal of Interreligious Studies on the Quran and the Bible

The Thematic Domain of Human Succession from God: A Comparative Study of the Views of the Qur'an and the Bible

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hamid Aryan 1
Mojtaba Mmostashreq 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Exegesis and Quranic Studies, Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute, Qom, IRAN.
2 Ph.D. Student in Qur’an and Hadith Studies, Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute, Qom, IRAN.
10.22034/qb.2025.2069711.1047
Abstract
The succession of humans from God is generally accepted in the Abrahamic religions. The present study aims to examine the thematic domain of human succession from God from the perspectives of the Qur'an and the Bible through a comparative approach; it also aims to understand and define the mission of humans as successors of God in the world based on the teachings of the Abrahamic religions, which can assist in reconciling the views of the followers of these religions in fulfilling human responsibilities in the contemporary world. To this aim was used a library-based approach for data collection and uses a descriptive-interpretive method with a comparative focus to address the issues. The findings indicate that the Qur'an explicitly affirms the principle of human succession from God, considering humans as successors of God in both existential and legislative matters, supported by evidence such as the generality of verse 30 of Surah Al-Baqarah in appointing humans as successors and the compatibility of the successor with the one succeeded upon in attributes. However, in the Bible, the succession of humans from God is implicitly mentioned. In the Old Testament, humans are introduced as representatives of God on earth, with the responsibility of cultivating the earth and governing its inhabitants. This indicates a form of succession in legislative matters. From the New Testament, a concept similar to the Qur'anic view (succession in all matters) can be inferred, which is certainly built around the centrality of the personality and succession of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him). 
Keywords
Human succession from God
Khalīfatullāh
Mustakhlafun fīh
the Qur'an and the Bible
Christianity
Judaism
The Holy Quran
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Journal of Interreligious Studies on the Quran and the Bible
Volume 2, Issue 1 - Serial Number 3
October 2025
Pages 132-171