Prophet Ismail (عليه السلام)
The Forbearing Son & The First of the Arabs
The story of Prophet Ismail (Ishmael, عليه السلام) is inseparable from that of his noble father, Ibrahim. He was the answer to a heartfelt prayer, a beloved son whose own faith would be tested in the most profound ways imaginable. From his miraculous beginning to his role in establishing the holiest sanctuary in Islam, his life is a powerful lesson in obedience, patience, and submission to the will of Allah.
Chapter 1: The Answered Prayer
For many years, Prophet Ibrahim and his righteous wife, Sarah, were without a child. Though patient, Ibrahim's heart longed for an heir. Seeing her husband's sadness, Sarah, in an act of great generosity, offered him her own handmaiden, Hajar, in marriage, praying that Allah might grant him a child through her. Allah accepted their prayers, and soon, the cries of a newborn baby filled their tent. It was Ismail, whose birth brought immense joy to the elderly Ibrahim.
But this blessing came with a new trial. Sarah, though a pious woman, found herself feeling jealous. So, to protect his family's harmony and in accordance with a divine command, Allah instructed Ibrahim to take Hajar and the infant Ismail on a journey to a distant, unknown land in the south. Trusting in Allah's plan, they set out from Palestine.
Chapter 2: The Journey into the Desert
After many days of travel, they arrived at a dry, desolate valley surrounded by hills. There was no water, no vegetation, and no sign of life. It was here that the angel informed Ibrahim that he had reached the appointed place—the Sacred Land that would one day be known as Makkah (Mecca). Ibrahim knew what he had to do. With a heavy heart, he kissed his beloved son, left Hajar and Ismail with a small skin of water and some dates, and turned to leave.
Hajar, in a state of alarm, ran after him, asking, "Will you leave us in this lonely valley?" Ibrahim, unable to look back, did not answer. She then asked the crucial question: "Has Allah commanded you to do this?" He simply gestured towards the sky. Her fear immediately transformed into a profound sense of peace and faith. She declared with absolute certainty, "Then He will not abandon us." From the top of a hill, Ibrahim watched his family disappear into the valley and raised his hands in a heartfelt prayer, preserved forever in the Quran: "Our Lord, I have settled some of my progeny in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House... So, make men's hearts incline towards them and provide them with fruits, that they may be thankful." (Quran 14:37).
Chapter 3: The Gushing Spring
Days passed, and soon, their meager supplies ran out. The infant Ismail began to cry from thirst. Filled with the desperate energy of a mother, Hajar refused to give up. She placed her child on the ground and began a frantic search for water. She ran to the top of the nearby hill of Safa, scanning the valley for any sign of help. Seeing a mirage in the distance, she ran towards the hill of Marwah, her heart pounding with both hope and fear for her child.
She ran back and forth between the two hills seven times, a testament to her struggle and reliance on Allah. After the seventh run, as she stood on Marwah, she heard a voice. She rushed back to Ismail and was astonished to see a spring of pure water gushing forth from the sand where his tiny heels had been kicking. Weeping with joy, she thanked Allah. She quickly built a small wall of sand around the gushing water to contain it, and this blessed spring became known as the Well of Zamzam.
Soon, birds were seen circling the valley, a sign of water in the desert. This attracted a passing caravan from the tribe of Jurhum. They were amazed to find a woman and her child beside a well in this desolate place. They asked Hajar for permission to settle there, and she agreed. Thus, by the will of Allah, the barren valley of Makkah became inhabited. Ismail grew up among the people of Jurhum, learning their language—Arabic—and their ways, becoming a fine young man known for his excellent character.
Chapter 4: 'O My Father, Do as You are Commanded'
Years later, Prophet Ibrahim returned to visit his son. It was during this time that he was faced with the greatest trial of his life. He saw in a recurring dream that he was sacrificing his only son, Ismail. Ibrahim knew this was a command from Allah. With a heavy heart, but with unwavering submission, he told his son about the vision and asked for his opinion.
Ismail, the forbearing son, did not hesitate for a moment. His reply is immortalized in the Quran as a supreme example of faith: "O my father! Do what you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the patient ones." (Quran 37:102). With tears in his eyes, Ibrahim prepared to carry out the divine will. He tied his son's hands and legs to spare him pain and to ensure his own resolve. As Ismail closed his eyes and submitted completely, and Ibrahim placed the knife upon his throat, a voice from heaven called out: "O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the vision." (Quran 37:104-105).
At that moment, the trial was over. Allah did not want the life of Ismail; He wanted the complete submission of their hearts. An angel appeared with a magnificent ram, and Ibrahim was commanded to sacrifice it instead. This immense act of faith by both father and son is commemorated every year by Muslims worldwide during the festival of Eid-al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice.
Chapter 5: Raising the Foundations
Following this great test, Allah bestowed upon Ibrahim and Ismail another great honor: the task of rebuilding the Holy Ka'aba. This sacred house, first built by Adam, had fallen into ruin over time. Together, father and son worked to raise its foundations, praying as they built: "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." (Quran 2:127). The Ka'aba was to be a beacon of monotheism, a center for the worship of the One True God for all time. Prophet Ismail would go on to become a prophet in his own right, continuing the legacy of his father in the blessed land of Makkah.