Abraham fascinates. As a primeval desert sheikh with dazzling character traits, as the father of many nations and three religions, as a migrant with long wanderings, with trials and tribulations, as a convert and a sacrificer, as a believer and a doubter. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all refer to him, to aspects of his figure, to the memory of him.

Daniel Maier explores this fascination with the various facets of the figure of Abraham. Using sources from ancient Judaism, early Christianity and the Koran, he examines Abraham's significance as a figure of identification, his role in the binding of his son, his faith, his obedience and his happiness. Thereby, Maier does not proceed chronologically, but brings the views of the patriarch into conversation in entertaining and manageable chapters. The look at the origins provides new perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of the interreligious trialogue in the 21st century. Abraham fascinates with his impact through the ages - right up to the present day.