Story of Ismail

Ismail Family

Meet the prophet, Abraham, a.k.a Ibrahim or Ibraheem, the pioneer prophet in the Quranic saga. His father’s name is Azar. He has three children named Ismael, Ishaaq, and Yaqub. All three kids are considered prophets in the Quran.

Prophet Ismael goes by Ismail, Ishmael, and Ismaeil. He’s the first son of Ibrahim. The Quran talks about Ibrahim’s wife but doesn’t mention her name. Some traditions say it’s Sarah or Sara or Sarai, but that’s just a story and isn’t confirmed by the Quran.

Ibrahim has two more sons. His second son, Ishaq, is also known as Isaac or Ishaaq. The third son is Yaqoob, also called Jacob. Notably, Jacob is different from Israel, mentioned separately in the Quran as a truthful person. Ismael is established as the firstborn. In the Quran, Ibrahim’s wife is described as ‘barren’ (Aqeem), meaning she couldn’t have kids. It’s also clarified that she was ‘old’ (Ajoz), suggesting an inability to have children due to age.

Ibrahim and Ismail story of building the kabah in Makkah:

In Chapter Two of the Quran, Ibrahim and Ismail are at the House of Allah, joining together in a heartfelt prayer. What makes this supplication significant is that it’s in the plural form, emphasizing their unity in asking for a Rasool (Messenger) from their Muslim descendants. It’s a powerful moment symbolizing their anticipation of a special Messenger coming from their own family, a theme that resonates throughout the Quran.

2:124 ۞وَإِذِ ٱبۡتَلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَٰتٖ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامٗاۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِيۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهۡدِي ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ When Allah entrusted Abraham with sacred words, he gloriously praised Allah with those divine words. Allah, recognizing Abraham's devotion, declared him a leader among humanity. Abraham, ever caring, asked about his descendants. Allah responded, 'My covenant doesn't extend to the wrongdoers.'

2:125 وَإِذۡ جَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡبَيۡتَ مَثَابَةٗ لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمۡنٗا وَٱتَّخِذُواْ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمَ مُصَلّٗىۖ وَعَهِدۡنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسۡمَٰعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيۡتِيَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلۡعَٰكِفِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ Allah turned the Kaaba into a magnet, a sacred hub for the people, a divine sanctuary. The divine decree: Use this sacred space, where Abraham once stood, for prayer. Allah charged Abraham and Ishmael, 'Consecrate My House for those who circle it, those who seek solace within, and those who bow in reverence.' 🕋

2:126 وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمُ رَبِّ ٱجۡعَلۡ هَٰذَا بَلَدًا ءَامِنٗا وَٱرۡزُقۡ أَهۡلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ مِنۡهُم بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۚ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُۥ قَلِيلٗا ثُمَّ أَضۡطَرُّهُۥٓ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلنَّارِۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ When Abraham said, 'O Creator, turn this place, the Kaaba in Makkah, into a haven of peace. Bless its people with fruitful lands—those who believe in Allah and the Last Day.' And then, for those who choose disbelief, 'I'll let them enjoy a bit, but then the fiery punishment awaits. Talk about a tough road ahead!

2:127 وَإِذۡ يَرۡفَعُ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمُ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ وَإِسۡمَٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلۡ مِنَّآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ As Abraham and Ishmael lay the groundwork for the House, they prayed, 'Our Lord, accept this from us. You hear us, You know us.

2:128 رَبَّنَا وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا مُسۡلِمَيۡنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَآ أُمَّةٗ مُّسۡلِمَةٗ لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبۡ عَلَيۡنَآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ Our Lord, hook us up as true Muslims and let our legacy roll deep, a community forever devoted to You. Guide us through the rituals of Hajj, and embrace our repentance. You're the One who forgives and showers mercy.

2:129 رَبَّنَا وَٱبۡعَثۡ فِيهِمۡ رَسُولٗا مِّنۡهُمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمۡۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ Abraham and Ismael dropping a heartfelt prayer: 'Our Lord, send forth a messenger from our own kin—Prophet Mohammad—to recite Your revelations, teach the Book and wisdom, and purify our comrads. You, Almighty and Wise, got this!

2:130 وَمَن يَرۡغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفۡسَهُۥۚ وَلَقَدِ ٱصۡطَفَيۡنَٰهُ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ Who'd ditch the faith of Abraham, unless they're playing themselves? We picked him in the here and now, and in the afterlife, he's rolling with the righteous crew.

2:131 إِذۡ قَالَ لَهُۥ رَبُّهُۥٓ أَسۡلِمۡۖ قَالَ أَسۡلَمۡتُ لِرَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ When the Almighty told Abraham, 'Submit!' Guess what he said? 'I'm all in, submitted to the Lord of the Worlds.'

Ibrahim and Ismael story of Sacrifice:

This story is in Quran and according the story no one was sacrificed. The story of sacrifice has more to do with the separation of father and his beloved son Ismael. The dream of Ibrahim in the Quran 3:102 is about Allah asking him to cast away his son (Ismael) and leave him in Makkah. It is a great trial of separation between the beloved father and the son.

Once Ibrahim understood the dream, where Allah asked him to cast away his son and leave him in Makkah, he told his son (Ismael) and asked for his opinion. The son replied, ‘O father, do as you see fit; you will find me among the ones who persevere.’

Now comes the interesting part. As you may have seen in my old post where I discussed the use of foreign words in the Quran, I showed you how Allah used ‘Darham’ instead of ‘Dinar.’

Well, you will be surprised that in the next verse, 3:103, Allah used words from two different cultures, giving you the trail of Ibrahim from the Indus Valley to Persia and finally to Arabia.

‘Talla’ is not an Arabic word; it has its roots in Sanskrit. According to Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary, ‘Talla’ (तल्ल) means a reservoir or large tank, a hole, a pit, a deep place.

‘Jabin/Jabeen’ is also not from the Arabic language; it has Hebrew/Persian origin, meaning pure, beautiful, the one who is distinguished. In Persian and Indo/Pak, girls’ names like Mah-Jabin mean extremely pure or beautiful. Additionally, the River Ganga’s name in Persian is ‘Jabeen.’ We all know that Ganga is a sacred river representing the Goddess of purity and cleanser of sins.

Hence, the correct translation

37:103 فَلَمَّآ أَسۡلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلۡجَبِينِ They both totally surrendered to Allah, and guess what? He created a reservoir (well) for it (Zamzam) for the ones who are pure.

As you continue to read the verse, Allah not only accepted his significant sacrifice of separation from his beloved son but also rewarded Ibrahim with two extra sons, Ishaq and Yaqoob. And hence the translation, ‘They both totally surrendered to Allah, and guess what? He created a reservoir (well) for it (Zamzam) for the ones who are pure’ makes complete sense.

Criticism on the fabricated story of Hajjar and that Ismail was left in Makkah at a very young age:

The main criticism of this narrative, suggesting that Ishmael was left in Makkah at a young age and Isaac was sacrificed instead, is challenged on three grounds according to the Quran.

Firstly, it contradicts the Quran’s statements about a crucial event. It is strongly implied in the Quran that when Abraham settled Ishmael in Makkah, he was already a grown-up boy and not an infant. This deduction is supported by historical facts mentioned in the Quran:

i. Abraham settled Ishmael in Makkah after the birth of his younger brother, Isaac. ii. Isaac was born after Abraham had offered Ishmael for sacrifice, a heroic act rewarded by the Almighty. iii. At the time of sacrifice, Ishmael was described as a young boy who could run around.

Considering these facts: a. The age difference between Ishmael and Isaac was likely around ten to twelve years. b. Ishmael must have been a young lad when he came to Makkah with his father to settle there.

The relevant Quranic verses supporting these points are as follows:

14:35 وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِيمُ رَبِّ ٱجۡعَلۡ هَٰذَا ٱلۡبَلَدَ ءَامِنٗا وَٱجۡنُبۡنِي وَبَنِيَّ أَن نَّعۡبُدَ ٱلۡأَصۡنَامَ 14:36 رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضۡلَلۡنَ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِۖ فَمَن تَبِعَنِي فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّيۖ وَمَنۡ عَصَانِي فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ 14:37 رَّبَّنَآ إِنِّيٓ أَسۡكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيۡرِ ذِي زَرۡعٍ عِندَ بَيۡتِكَ ٱلۡمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱجۡعَلۡ أَفۡـِٔدَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ تَهۡوِيٓ إِلَيۡهِمۡ وَٱرۡزُقۡهُم مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَشۡكُرُونَ 14:38 رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ تَعۡلَمُ مَا نُخۡفِي وَمَا نُعۡلِنُۗ وَمَا يَخۡفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِن شَيۡءٖ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ 14:39 ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي وَهَبَ لِي عَلَى ٱلۡكِبَرِ إِسۡمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسۡحَٰقَۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَسَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ

This is Abraham’s prayer when he was setting up Ishmael in Makkah. He’s like, “Thanks, God, for giving me up with Ishmael and Isaac in my golden years.” So, basically, both Ishmael and Isaac were already on the scene.

Now consider the following verses:

37:99 وَقَالَ إِنِّي ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّي سَيَهۡدِينِ He was like, I'm out, obeying my Rab. Trust, my Rab gonna guide me. 37:100 رَبِّ هَبۡ لِي مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ My Rab, bless me with some righteous kids, please 37:101 فَبَشَّرۡنَٰهُ بِغُلَٰمٍ حَلِيمٖ Guess what? I (Allah) dropped the deets on him about a chill and patient son 37:102 فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعۡيَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَيَّ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰ فِي ٱلۡمَنَامِ أَنِّيٓ أَذۡبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرۡ مَاذَا تَرَىٰۚ قَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُۖ سَتَجِدُنِيٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Abraham dropped the bomb: Kid , had this wild dream – gotta leave you solo in this desolate spot, part ways. What you think? The son was like, No stress, pops! Follow the command, Allah's got us. I'm standing firm. 37:103 فَلَمَّآ أَسۡلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلۡجَبِينِ They both totally surrendered to Allah, and guess what? He created a reservoir (well) for it (Zamzam) for the ones who are pure. 37:104 وَنَٰدَيۡنَٰهُ أَن يَـٰٓإِبۡرَٰهِيمُ Abraham, pick up! Allah's on the line! 37:105 قَدۡ صَدَّقۡتَ ٱلرُّءۡيَآۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ You nailed the vision, and understood the task. That's how we roll with the do-gooders – rewarding them like that 37:106 إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلۡبَلَـٰٓؤُاْ ٱلۡمُبِينُ That test was straight-up revealing, no cap. 37:107 وَفَدَيۡنَٰهُ بِذِبۡحٍ عَظِيمٖ We saved his son from the mess these people were up to, making a big move to keep them apart. 37:108 وَتَرَكۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرِينَ And this is how, Abraham got that shoutout in history, an honorable mention that's still ringing in the ears of later generations. 37:109 سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ Abraham, peace out! 37:110 كَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ This is how we roll with the do-gooders. 37:111 إِنَّهُۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ He was, like, the real MVP among our loyal crew. 37:112 وَبَشَّرۡنَٰهُ بِإِسۡحَٰقَ نَبِيّٗا مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ We later gifted him with the news about Isaac – a prophet, and part of the righteous fam. 37:113 وَبَٰرَكۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَعَلَىٰٓ إِسۡحَٰقَۚ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا مُحۡسِنٞ وَظَالِمٞ لِّنَفۡسِهِۦ مُبِينٞ We blessed Ismail and Isaac too, you know. Some of their crew did good, others messed up big time.

Ishaq and Yaqub born after Ismail

And the last proof is the verse

21:72 وَوَهَبۡنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ نَافِلَةٗۖ وَكُلّٗا جَعَلۡنَا صَٰلِحِينَ And We gave him extra two sons, Isaac and Jacob, as gift and made two sons among the ones who use the language of the Allah

From the emphasized part of these verses, “And We gave him the glad tidings of Isaac,” it becomes apparent that Abraham received the news of Isaac’s birth after the incident involving the sacrifice of Ishmael. This implies that Isaac was not even born when Ishmael was offered for separation. The initial words of the verses suggest that Ishmael must have been a budding youngster at that time, able to walk with his father.

In essence, this implies that Ishmael was an older youth, more than 10-12 years older than Isaac. Since both sons were already born when Abraham settled Ishmael in Makkah, it indicates that Ishmael was not an infant but a budding young man, contrasting with the narrative’s claim of him being an infant. And Allah knows best.