The story of Prophet Ismail (إسماعيل عليه السلام) holds a central place in Islamic tradition. He was the eldest son of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) and is known for his patience, obedience, and submission to Allah’s will. Prophet Ismail's story is directly linked to several key Islamic practices, including the Hajj pilgrimage and the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha. His life reflects the values of trust in Allah, sacrifice, and devotion.
The story of Ismail is mentioned in several places in the Qur'an, including Surah As-Saffat (37), Surah Ibrahim (14), Surah Al-Baqarah (2), and Surah Maryam (19).
Birth of Ismail
Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) was married to Sarah, but she was unable to bear children.
Sarah suggested that Ibrahim marry Hajar (Hagar), her servant, so that he could have a child.
Hajar gave birth to Ismail in Canaan (Palestine).
Ismail was a gift from Allah to Ibrahim in his old age as a sign of Allah's mercy.
- "All praise is due to Allah, who has granted me in old age Ishmael and Isaac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication."
(Surah Ibrahim 14:39)
Hajar and Ismail in the Desert of Makkah
After Ismail was born, Allah commanded Ibrahim to take Hajar and Ismail to the barren desert of Makkah (which was uninhabited at that time).
Ibrahim left them with a small supply of water and food and walked away.
- Hajar asked, “Did Allah command you to do this?”
- When Ibrahim answered yes, she said, “Then Allah will not abandon us.”
"Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your Sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer."
(Surah Ibrahim 14:37)
The Well of Zamzam
After a while, Hajar’s food and water ran out, and Ismail began to cry from thirst.
- In desperation, Hajar ran between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times searching for water or help.
Allah sent the angel Jibreel (Gabriel), who struck the ground with his wing, and water began to flow from beneath Ismail’s feet — this became the famous Zamzam Well.
Hajar built a well around it and began using the water.
- The well of Zamzam remains a source of water for millions of pilgrims to this day.
- "And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and We sheltered them within a high ground having level meadows and springs."
(Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:50)
The Tribe of Jurhum
The miraculous appearance of the Zamzam well attracted the wandering tribe of Jurhum.
They asked Hajar for permission to settle near the well.
- Hajar agreed as long as the water remained under her control.
- Ismail grew up among the Jurhum tribe and learned their language and customs.
- He became known for his honesty, strength, and generosity.
- The Test of Sacrifice
When Ismail became a young boy, Allah tested Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail with one of the greatest trials:
Ibrahim had a dream in which Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son, Ismail.
Ibrahim shared the dream with Ismail and asked for his opinion.
- Ismail responded with complete submission and faith:
- "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast."
(Surah As-Saffat 37:102)
Ibrahim took Ismail to Mount Arafat and prepared to carry out the sacrifice.
As Ibrahim was about to sacrifice Ismail, Allah intervened and sent a ram from Heaven as a substitute.
"And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice."
(Surah As-Saffat 37:107)
Allah rewarded Ibrahim and Ismail for their unwavering faith and obedience. This event is commemorated every year by Muslims during Eid al-Adha.
Rebuilding the Ka'bah
Years later, Allah commanded Ibrahim and Ismail to build the Ka'bah in Makkah as a place of worship.
Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundation stones together.
- As they worked, they prayed:
- "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing."
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:127)
Ibrahim stood on the stone known as Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim) to place the final stones.
Ismail assisted his father and helped him carry the stones.
The Dua of Ibrahim and Ismail
After completing the Kaaba, Ibrahim and Ismail made a beautiful dua (supplication):
"Our Lord, make us both submissive to You, and [raise] from our descendants a nation submissive to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful."
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:128)
Ismail’s Legacy
Ismail became a prophet and preached the message of Tawheed (monotheism).
He taught the people to worship Allah alone and to follow the guidance of Ibrahim.
- He married a woman from the tribe of Jurhum and had many descendants.
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is a direct descendant of Ismail through the tribe of Quraysh.
"And mention in the Book (the Quran) Ismail. Verily! He was true to his promise, and he was a Messenger, a Prophet."
(Surah Maryam 19:54)
Prophet Ismail’s Character
Patience and obedience – Ismail willingly submitted to Allah’s command for sacrifice.
Trust in Allah – Hajar and Ismail's trust in Allah in the desert led to the blessing of Zamzam.
Support to his father – Ismail helped Ibrahim fulfill the command of Allah to rebuild the Ka'bah.
Truthfulness – The Qur’an describes Ismail as one who was “true to his promise.”
Lessons from the Story of Ismail
Complete submission to Allah’s will – Both Ibrahim and Ismail trusted Allah without hesitation.
Faith leads to reward – Hajar’s trust and effort were rewarded with the Zamzam well.
Obedience brings success – Allah rewarded Ismail’s obedience with prophethood and a righteous lineage.
Sacrifice for Allah brings blessings – Ibrahim and Ismail’s willingness to sacrifice resulted in Allah’s mercy and reward.
Patience and perseverance – Hajar’s struggle between Safa and Marwah became part of the Hajj ritual.
Ismail’s Lineage
Prophet Ismail’s descendants became the ancestors of the Arabs.
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) descended from Ismail through the Quraysh tribe.
Allah fulfilled the dua of Ibrahim and Ismail by making Muhammad (ﷺ) the final prophet.
Conclusion
