In Tafsir Al-Jalalayn by Imam Jalalud-Deen Al-Mahalli and Jalalud-Deen As-Suyuti, it is stated:
“The Jews and Christians believed that Ibrahim (Abraham) is the ancestor of the Jews. So, Allah revealed: “O People of the Scripture! Why will ye argue about Abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye then no sense?” (Al `Imran: 65)
The verse addresses the Jews thus: How do you argue about Ibrahim and claim that he is a Jew or a Christian while the Torah and the Gospel were revealed long time after him? This means that your claim is unfounded.
The following Qur’anic verses refute this claim further by stating that if the Jews and the Christians base their argument about Musa (Moses) and `Isa (Jesus) on the fact that they have knowledge about those two Prophets, it’s unfathomable for them to argue about Ibrahim (Abraham) concerning whom they do not have any knowledge!
Allah says: “Lo! ye are those who argue about that whereof ye have some knowledge: Why then argue ye concerning that whereof ye have no knowledge ? Allah knoweth. Ye know not.” (Al `Imran: 66)
Then Allah Almighty says the truth about Ibrahim that he was not a Jew or a Christian, but a “Muslim” submitting to the Will of Allah: “Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; rather he was an upright man who had surrendered to Allah (Muslim), and he was not of the idolaters.”(Al `Imran: 67)”
The word “Muslim” in the verse means believing in the Oneness of God and surrendering to His Will.
In his book Perished Nations, Harun Yahya states:
“Christians who believe in the Old Testament think that Ibrahim is the ancestor of the Jews, but with only one difference: according to Christians, Ibrahim is not a Jew but a Christian. The Christians, who did not heed the concept of race as much as Jews took this stand and it is one of the causes of disagreement and struggle between the two religions. Allah brings the following explanation of these arguments in the Qur’an: “O People of the Scripture! Why will ye argue about Abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye then no sense? “Lo! ye are those who argue about that whereof ye have some knowledge: Why then argue ye concerning that whereof ye have no knowledge? Allah knoweth. Ye know not.” “Abraham was not a Jew, nor yet a Christian; but he was an upright man who had surrendered to Allah (Muslim), and he was not of the idolaters.” (Al `Imran: 65-67)
In the Qur’an, very differently from what is written in the Old Testament, Ibrahim is a person who warned his people so that they might fear Allah. Starting from his youth, he warned his people, who worshipped idols, to give up this practice. Rather than yielding to his plea, his people attempted to kill him. Having escaped from the wickedness of his people, Ibrahim finally emigrated.”