Prophet Ismail: An Overview
Prophet Ismail (PBUH) was the son of the father of all Prophets: Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and his second wife, Hajar. When many years had passed to Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and Sarah’s marriage, and they were childless, Sarah forced Prophet Ibrahim to marry her servant, Hajar. She knew that Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) longed for a child.
Indeed, Allah soon blessed them with a baby boy, Ismail (PBUH).
When was Prophet Ismail (PBUH) born?
When Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) married Hajjar, Allah gave him the good news of a forbearing son:
So We gave him the good news of a forbearing son. (37:101)
Some scholars believe he was born in 1800 B.C., in present-day Palestine. It is also known that Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was 86 years old at the time of Prophet Ismail’s birth.
The Miracles of Prophet Ismail (PBUH)
Prophet Ismail’s (PBUH) life is full of miracles. His life story is also full of many hardships, yet he was steadfast and firmly believed in Allah. He followed in his father’s footsteps in faith and resilience. He submitted completely to the will of Allah and never shied away from any hardships.
The Story of Prophet Ismail (PBUH) and Zam Zam Water
When Prophet Ismail was only a baby, Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by Allah to take him and Hajar to the desert. Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) requested Hajar to prepare for a long journey, and she obeyed him.
They traveled for many days and came to a barren area in the desert with no water and no living thing in sight. Here, Prophet Ibrahim left Hajar and the infant Ismail. Hajar was an understanding wife and realized Allah had commanded Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) to leave his family.
Soon, Hajar and Ismail were out of drinking water. Baby Ismail cried out of thirst. Hajar ran between the hilltops of Safa and Marwa in search of water while baby Ismail was lying on the ground. After a while, water erupted from the ground near where Prophet Ismail lay, crying. Hajar saw an Angel digging the ground with its’ heel or wing, and water flowing from there. This was the Holy water of Zam Zam.
The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) narrated:
"May Allah bestow mercy on Ismail’s (A.S.) mother! Had she let the Zam-zam flow without trying to control it, or had she not scooped from that water to fill her water skin, Zam-zam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth."
“Then she drank water and suckled her child. The angel said to her: “Don’t be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah which will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people.”
Soon, travelers arrived in search of water and asked Hajar if they could settle there. Hajar agreed, and this small settlement soon became the city of Makkah, home to the Kaabah.
The Story of Prophet Ismail and the Sacrifice
Allah says in the Quran:
“O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look what do you think!” “O my father! Do that which you are commanded Insha Allah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of the patient.”
When Prophet Ismail (PBUH) was old enough to walk, Prophet Ibrahim dreamt that he was sacrificing him. They both understood that this dream was from Allah. And what a brave boy he was, who agreed to sacrifice his life for his father’s dream.
They both walked to the place of the sacrifice and were stopped multiple times by the Shaitaan on their way. Shaitaan tried to manipulate them and make them refuse Allah’s command, but both had submitted to Allah’s will and did not let Shaitaan deter them.
Prophet Ismail (PBUH) asked Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) to blindfold himself so that he would not witness his son’s suffering. When Prophet Ismail was laid down, ready for the sacrifice, Allah commanded:
“O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the dream (vision!” Verily! Thus do We reward those who perform good deeds, totally for Allah’s sake only. Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial and We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (a ram) and We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times. “Salamun (peace) be upon Ibrahim!” Thus indeed do We reward the Muhsineen (good doers). Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.” (37:111)
And when Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) opened his eyes, there was a ram in place of his son. This is how the tradition of sacrificing animals on the three days of Eid-ul-Adha came about.
Prophet Ismail in the Quran:
Prophet Ismail, also known as Ishmael in the Bible, was the son of Prophet Ibrahim. He was a prophet of high status who was obedient to his father and, thus, to God. Allah gave Prophet Ismail (PBUH) the duty of prophethood. He was sent to the people of Amalika in Yemen to guide them to the path of Allah. According to some sources, he lived with this nation for fifty years and conveyed the divine message of Allah to them.
And mention Ismail in the Book; surely he was truthful in (his) promise, and he was a messenger, a prophet. (19:54)
Building the Kaabah
Prophet Adam first built the Kaabah under the instructions of Allah. But many years had passed, and there was no trace left. Allah instructed Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail to rebuild the Kaabah.
Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and the Prophet Ismail (PBUH) devoted much time and energy to building the Kabaa that thousands of men could not match. Allah says in the Quran:
And when We made the House a pilgrimage for men and a (place of) security, and: Appoint for yourselves a place of prayer on the standing-place of Ibrahim. And We enjoined Ibrahim and Ismail saying: Purify My House for those who visit (it) and those who abide (in it) for devotion and those who bow down (and) those who prostrate themselves. (2:125)
Hajar-al-Aswad in the Kaabah
Many different accounts are related to the Hajar-al-Aswad or the Black Stone. The most authentic and significant narration is that it is a stone from Paradise and was placed in the Kaabah by Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail (PBUH). It is believed to have been delivered by Angel Jibraeel.
Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said about the Black Stone:
“The Black stone descended from paradise, and it was more white than milk, then it was blacked by this sins of the children of Adam.” Tirmidi
Who Was Prophet Ismail’s Wife?
Prophet Ismail (PBUH) was married twice, at different times.
What Were Prophet Ismail’s Wives Names?
Prophet Ismail’s (PBUH) first wife was called Amarah. She was from the people of Makkah, who he grew up with. After Hajar passed away, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) visited his son, but he was not home. He met his wife, Amarah, and asked her about their livelihood. She answered:
“We are living in misery, hardship, and destitution.”
Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) said: “When your husband returns, convey my salutations to him and tell him to change the threshold of the gate (of his house).”
When Prophet Ismail (AS) came, he asked his wife: “Has anyone visited you?”
She replied: “Yes, an old man of such and such description came and asked me about you, and I informed him, and he asked about our state of living, and I told him that we were living in hardship and poverty.”
Prophet Ismail (AS) said, “Did he advise you anything?”
She said: “Yes. He told me to convey his salutations to you and to tell you to change the threshold of your gate.”
Prophet Ismail (PBUH) said: “The man was my father, and he has ordered me to divorce you. Go back to your family.”
Who Was Prophet Ismail’s Second Wife?
Taking his father’s advice, Prophet Ismail (PBUH) divorced her (Amarah) and married another woman, Halia, among the people of Makkah.
Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) narrates the story of Prophet Ismail (PBUH)”
“Then Prophet Ibrahim (AS) stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah SWT wished and called on them again but did not find Prophet Ismail (AS). So he came to Prophet Ismail’s (AS) wife and asked her about Prophet Ismail (AS).”
Halia said: “He (Ismail) has gone searching for our livelihood.”
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) asked her about their sustenance and living: “How are you getting on?”.
She replied: “We are prosperous and well off (we have everything in abundance).” Then she thanked Allah.
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) said: “What kind of food do you eat?” She said: “Meat.”
Ibrahim (AS) said: “What do you drink?” She said: “Water.”
He said: “O Allah SWT! Bless their meat and water.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) added: “At that time, they did not have grain, and if they had grain, he would have also invoked Allah to bless it. If somebody has only these two things as his sustenance, his health and disposition will be badly affected unless he lives in Makkah.”
“Then Prophet Ibrahim (AS) said to Prophet Ismail’s (AS) wife: “When your husband comes, give my regards to him and tell him that he should keep firm the threshold of his gate.”
When Prophet Ismail (AS) returned, he asked his wife: “Did anyone call on you?”
She replied: “Yes, a good-looking old man came to me,’ so she praised him and added: “He asked about you, and I informed him that we were in a good condition.”
Prophet Ismail (AS) asked her: “Did he give you any piece of advice?” She said: “Yes, he told me to give his regards to you and ordered that you keep the threshold of your gate firm.”
Ismail (AS) said: “He was my father, and you are the gate’s threshold. He has ordered me to keep you with me.”
Relation Between Prophet Ismail (PBUH) and Prophet Ishaaq (PBUH)
Prophet Ishaaq (PBUH) was the half-brother of Prophet Ismail (PBUH). He was born to Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and Sara. He was born in 1896 B.C. in present-day Palestine. At the time of his birth, Prophet Ibrahim was 100 years old, and Sara was 90 years old.
The three angels, Jibraeel, Mikael, and Israfeel, informed them of the impending birth of their son Ishaaq when they came to destroy the nation of Prophet Lut (PBUH). When they were given these glad tidings, Sara laughed and said:
"How can I have a child at this old age? And my husband is an old man?" (11:72)
The angels responded:
"Are you astonished by Allah's decree? Indeed, He is praiseworthy and all glorious."
When Did Prophet Ismail (PBUH) Die?
Prophet Ismail (PBUH) was 130 or 137 years old when he died. He is reported to have had twelve sons. According to some sources, Ismail (PBUH) lived in Makkah till his death. He is buried alongside his mother, Hajar, near the Kabaah in Makkah.
Conclusion
Prophet Ismail’s (PBUH) life story is a lesson to all future Muslim generations. It teaches us that we are placed here to be tested by Allah SWT, and to Him, we shall return.
Allah proclaims him as one of His greatest prophets in the Quran. He was the son of the distinguished Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH). What makes Prophet Ismail (PBUH) unique is that Allah’s final and most beloved Prophet, Muhammad (PBUH), and his progeny are from his lineage. Ismail earned the title Dhabīḥullāh due to almost being sacrificed by Prophet Ibrahim.
To lead this life on the commands of Allah will ensure that we are successful in the Hereafter. Allah will bless all the righteous people with Jannah! InshAllah!
