Muslim scholars were divided on the motive for Cain's murder of Abel, and why the brothers were obliged to offer sacrifices to God. Some scholars believed that Cain's motives were jealousy and lust. CainmurderingAbel is one of the most well-known – and unfortunate – stories in the Old Testament. We believe it to be the first murder in history, confirming what most readers of Genesis assume: things are heading downhill for mankind. Consequently, Cain, provoked that Abel had been valued more highly by God, killed his brother and rendering his corpse unseen, supposed that he would escape notice. The Bible story of Cain and Abel reveals that Cainkilled his brother primarily out of jealousy and rage after God accepted Abel’s sacrifice but rejected his own. This act is presented as the first murder in human history, serving as a powerful cautionary tale. Setting the Context “Do not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And whydid he murder him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.” (1 John 3:12) WhyDidCainKillAbel? At first glance, it seems incomprehensible: Cain and Abel both offered sacrifices to God, but when God favored Abel’s offering over Cain’s, jealousy took root. But why was Cain so deeply affected by God’s rejection of his sacrifice? The story of Cain and Abel, recounted in the book of Genesis, remains one of the most enduring narratives in Judeo-Christian tradition. At its heart lies a primal act of violence: the murder of Abel by his own brother, Cain.
