More than half of the world’s population lives in societies shaped by the religious traditions that trace their roots to Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Jewish law (Halakhah) governed ancient Israel and still influences aspects of law in modern Israel. Christianity—emerging from the Jewish tradition—helped shape the legal and moral foundations of many Western nations, including England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and much of Latin America. Islam developed its own legal tradition (Sharia), which historically governed vast empires and continues to influence law in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and parts of Nigeria and Malaysia.
Because of this global impact, understanding the Abrahamic traditions provides essential context for fields such as history, law, political science, international relations, diplomacy, journalism, and counterterrorism.
This series explores Judaism, Christianity, and Islam side-by-side, helping readers understand their scriptures, beliefs, legal traditions, historical development, and continuing influence on the modern world.
