Prophets of Allah – Hazrat Ishmael: An exemplar and faithful son of Abraham

Jalees Ahmad, Al Hakam

“And We did raise among every people a Messenger”

Ishmael^as, commonly known as إِسْمَاعِيْل [Isma‘il] among Muslims and in the Holy Quran, was a prophet of Allah and the eldest son of Prophet Abraham^as [Ibrahim]. The name Isma‘il literally means ‘God has heard’. (Encyclopedia of Religion, Vol. 7, Macmillan Reference USA, pp. 4551–52)

The Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa was a descendant of Ishmael^as; this fact, among others, also establishes the grandness bestowed upon Ishmael^as, and his father, Abraham^as, by extension. His mother’s name was Hagar^ra [Hajira].

Ishmael’s^as father, Abraham^as, and God’s covenant

Abraham^as is commonly referred to as Abul-Anbiya’ (father of the prophets). A common and obvious reason for this is that he was the father of Ishmael^as and Isaac^as [Ishaq], who were both prophets. Another reason for this title is that, through these sons, God raised a long line of prophets. Allah the Almighty was so pleased with Abraham^as and his loyalty that He chose him and his progeny to be the recipients of His blessings and rewards. Allah established a covenant with Abraham^as, which has been recorded in the Bible as follows:

“And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

“And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.” (Gen. 17:‌19-20).

Alluding to this covenant, the Five-Volume Commentary states:

“The covenant began with Isaac^as and in fulfilment of it, God raised a long line of Prophets among his descendants, and also gave them worldly dominion, power and wealth. The covenant found its highest fulfilment in Moses. When, however, the long line of Prophets who came after Moses as his successors terminated with Jesus, the second part of the covenant which was to be fulfilled through Ishmael^as came into operation and prophethood passed from the House of Israel to that of Ishmael^as and this was quite in harmony with the covenant which God had established with Abraham^as regarding the conferring of His favour upon him and his progeny.” (Five-Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, pp. 1973-1974)

Ishmael^as: The result of Abraham’s^as prayer

The Holy Quran, being al-Furqan (the discrimination), serves as a source of illumination for various matters that have been previously misinterpreted or misunderstood. It offers the truth about various prophets, shedding light on their pure nature, which may have been portrayed contrary to that in other religious texts such as the Bible. The Holy Quran delves into the truth and provides clarity on these subjects.

Ishmael^as was the result of a prayer from his father, Abraham^as. In Surah al-Saffat, Allah Almighty records a prayer of Abraham^as:

رَبِّ‭ ‬هَبۡ‭ ‬لِيۡ‭ ‬مِنَ‭ ‬الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ۔‭ ‬فَبَشَّرۡنٰهُ‭ ‬بِغُلٰمٍ‭ ‬حَلِيۡمٍ‮ ‬

“[And he prayed,] ‘My Lord, grant me a righteous son.’ So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing son.” (Surah al-Saffat, Ch. 37: V. 101-102)

This verse tells us that Ishmael^as was both forbearing and intelligent. Ishmael^as was a prophet who strictly kept his promise and enjoined prayer and almsgiving on his people. (Surah Maryam, Ch.19: V.55-56)

Ishmael^as and Hagar^ra in the valley of Bakkah

When Ishmael was still young, Sarah^ra – who later bore Isaac^as – asked Abraham^as to settle Ishmael^as, and his other wife, Hagar^ra, elsewhere. Both Sarah^ra and Hagar^ra were the wives of Prophet Abraham^as.

During a time of severe famine in Canaan, Abraham^as left for Egypt, where he married Hagar^ra, who went on to become the mother of Ishmael^as.

Haga^ra met Abraham^as when he was in Egypt. Being impressed by his noble character, a chief of Egypt presented Abraham^as with Hagar^ra, who was a noble girl, for marriage.

Alluding to the incident of Ishmael^as and Hagar^ra in the valley of Bakkah, the Promised Messiah^as states:

“Sarah^ra wanted Ishmael^as to die somehow, for she was the one who told Abraham^as to leave them in such a land. Although Abraham^as took offence at this, God instructed him to do as Sarah^ra had said, but not because He preferred Sarah^ra. In fact, Sarah^ra had previously expelled Hagar^ra as well and at that time, an angel of God spoke to Hagar^ra. Allah the Exalted speaks to those of His servants as well who are not Prophets. As such, God Almighty spoke to Hagar^ra twice.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 1, p. 264-265)

Hearing Sarah^ra’s words caused Abraham^as a lot of grief; however, God commanded Abraham^as to do as Sarah^ra had asked. The Bible states that God desired to make a nation from Ishmael^as. Alluding to Prophet Abraham’s^as son, Ishmael^as, it is recorded in the Bible, “I will make a nation of him.” (Genesis 21:13)

According to Allah’s commandment, Abraham^as took his son, Ishmael^as, and Hagar^ra, and settled them in the valley of Bakkah, which later came to be known as Makkah (Mecca).

As there was no water there, Abraham^as placed a leather bag containing some dates and some water near Ishmael^as and Hagar. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab ahadithi l-’anbiya’, Hadith 3364) It is also recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari that as Hazrat Abraham^as left, Hazrat Hagar^ra said:

“‘O Abraham! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no one whose company we may enjoy, nor is there anything?’ She repeated that to him many times, but he did not look back at her. Then she asked him, ‘Has Allah ordered you to do so?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Then He will not neglect us.’” (Ibid.)

Alluding to this incident, the Holy Quran records a prayer of Abraham^as on this occasion. Abraham^as faced the Ka‘bah and prayed:

رَبَّنَاۤ اِنِّيۡۤ اَسۡكَنۡتُ مِنۡ ذُرِّيَّتِيۡ بِوَادٍ غَيۡرِ ذِيۡ زَرۡعٍ عِنۡدَ بَيۡتِكَ الۡمُحَرَّمِ ۙ رَبَّنَا لِيُـقِيۡمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ فَاجۡعَلۡ اَفۡئِدَةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ تَهۡوِيۡۤ اِلَيۡهِمۡ وَارۡزُقۡهُمۡ مِّنَ الثَّمَرٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَشۡكُرُوۡنَ

“Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House, – our Lord, – that they may observe Prayer. So make men’s hearts incline towards them and provide them with fruits, that they may be thankful.” (Surah Ibrahim, Ch.14: V.38)

The hadith further narrates that when the water Abraham^as provided had been used up, Hagar^ra and her child became thirsty in the intense heat of Bakkah. Hagar, not being able to bear seeing her child like this, started searching for water in agony. During her search for water, she mounted the mountain of as-Safa to see if she could sight anyone; however, she could not see anyone. She then dismounted and ran towards al-Marwah. She reached al-Marwah and stood on the mountain to see if she could see anyone. She repeated this seven times.

Alluding to this incident, the Holy Prophet^sa said, “This is the source of the tradition of the walking of people between them,” i.e. mounts as-Safa and al-Marwah, during Hajj [the greater pilgrimage].

When she returned to her son, Ishmael^as, history recalls that she found an angel beating the ground with his heel. As she moved forward, she saw water gushing out in abundance. She, immediately, quenched the thirst of her child and placed stones around it, constructing a basin for keeping the water. The Holy Prophet^sa is reported to have said: “May God have mercy on Hagar^ra, for had she not controlled this water, it would have become a flowing stream.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-musaqat, Hadith 2368)

In light of this incident, which billions of Muslims remember and keep in mind throughout their lives, especially during Hajj, the Five-Volume Commentary states:

“The object of Pilgrimage is to accustom men to leave their home and country and suffer separation from relatives and friends for the sake of God. The Pilgrimage to Mecca is also a symbol of the respect shown to places where the will of God was specially manifested and a reminder of the incidents connected with that manifestation. It reminds believers of the long and hazardous journey of Abraham^as and Ishmael^as to the desert valley of Mecca and of Ishmael’s^as being left in that desert by Abraham^as; it tells them in speechless eloquence how those who make sacrifices in the way of God are protected and honoured by him; and it fosters their faith in the power and might of God. Again, the pilgrim, on finding himself near the place which has, from the beginning of the world, been dedicated to the worship of God, is sure to experience a peculiar spiritual association with those who have, through centuries, been bound together by the love and remembrance of God.” (Five-Volume Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 535)

Ishmael’s^as obedience to his father

One of the main things Ishmael^as, the son of Abraham^as, is remembered for is his obedience and unwavering devotion to his father.

After settling Ishmael^as and Hagar in Bakkah, now Mecca, Abraham^as would, from time to time, journey back and forth to meet them. When Ishmael^as grew up to an age where he was able to work with his father, Abraham^as saw in a dream that he was slaughtering his son. The Holy Quran narrates this instance in Surah as-Saffat:

“And when he was old enough to work with him, he said, ‘O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering thee. So consider, what thou thinkest [of it]!’ He replied, ‘O my father, do as thou art commanded; thou wilt find me, if Allah please, steadfast [in my faith].” (Surah as-Saffat, Ch.37: V.103)

As Abraham^as laid his son down, ready to commence fulfilling the dream, an angel of Allah called to him and said, “Thou hast indeed fulfilled the dream.” (Surah as-Saffat, Ch.37: V.106) Then, Abraham^as was commanded to release Ishmael^as and sacrifice a ram in his place.

Referring to this episode, the Five-Volume Commentary of the Holy Quran states:

“Abraham’s^as preparedness to sacrifice Ishmael^as was perpetuated in the Islamic institution of ‘Sacrifice’ which forms an integral part of the ceremonies of Hajj. As long as Islam lasts – and it shall last till the end of time – Pilgrimage to Mecca will continue to be performed and on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah goats and rams will continue to be slaughtered in hundreds of thousands in Mecca and all over the Muslim world in commemoration of Ishmael’s^as sacrifice. It is this institution of ‘Sacrifice’ that seems to have been referred to in this verse in the words ‘And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice’.” (Five-Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, pp. 2699-2700)

Various historians claim that the child whom Abraham^as was told to slaughter was Isaac^as and not Ishmael^as. A detailed discussion of this will be given in the article on Isaac^as.

Raising the foundations of the house of Allah

Undoubtedly, Abraham^as and Ishmael^as building the Holy Ka‘bah in the holy city of Mecca is an important event in Islamic history.

“When Abraham^as visited Makkah for the second and third time, Hagar^as had passed away. Coincidentally, Ishmael^as was also absent, due to which a reunion of father and son could not take place. Upon this, Abraham^as honoured Makkah with his presence a fourth time, and this time, together, both of them began the construction of a house of worship in Makkah. This house of worship was in fact quite old and its markings had been destroyed. Abraham^as proposed to build the house anew, after receiving Divine knowledge.” (Mirza Bashir Ahmad MA^ra, Seal of the Prophets, Vol. 1, p. 100)

Many are of the opinion that Abraham^as and Ishmael^as were the first to build the Holy Ka‘bah. However, this seems to be yet another misunderstanding. As alluded to in the article about Prophet Adam^as, some traditions point towards Hazrat Adam^as having originally built the Holy Ka‘bah. And from then on, it served as the centre of worship for his progeny. The Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa are very clear on this matter. Allah states in the Holy Quran:

وَاِذۡ يَرۡفَعُ اِبۡرٰهٖمُ الۡقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الۡبَيۡتِ وَاِسۡمٰعِيۡلُ ؕ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلۡ مِنَّا ؕ اِنَّكَ اَنۡتَ السَّمِيۡعُ الۡعَلِيۡمُ

“And [remember the time] when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House, [praying,] ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us; for Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.128)

This verse highlights that Abraham^as and Ishmael^as raised the foundations of the Holy Ka‘bah and did not build it anew. The words الۡقَوَاعِدَ‭ ‬مِنَ‭ ‬الۡبَيۡتِ indicate that the foundations of the house existed prior to this incident.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra, addressing this very matter, stated:

“Here, Allah the Almighty did not say يضع‭ ‬القواعد, but said يَرۡفَعُ‭ ‬القواعد. If there was a mention of laying the foundation, then the [root] word وضع would have been used. This shows that the House of Allah already existed, but its buildings had been destroyed. Hazrat Abraham^as under Allah the Almighty’s commandment, raised its foundations.” (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 2, pp. 177-178)

It is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari that when Abraham^as settled Ishmael^as and Hagar^ra in the valley of Bakkah, he said a prayer. Before praying, he raised his hands and “faced the Ka‘bah”. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab ahadith al-anbiya’, Hadith 3364)

Sons of Ishmael^as

After the settlement of Ishmael^as and Hagar^ra, a tribe named Jurhum was the first tribe to settle in Mecca. The daughter of al-Mudad b. Amr, who was the chief of the clan, was married to Ishmael^as (Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad MA^ra, ibid., p. 103). Prophet Ishmael^as is recorded, in the Bible, as having had twelve sons who multiplied exceedingly. The Bible lists the names of Ishamel’s^as sons: Nebajoth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

“The people of Arabia are primarily the children of Kedar, son of Ishmael^as, and the Quraysh are also his descendants. As long as Ishmael^as was alive it was he who supervised the Ka‘bah, but after his death, the eldest of his sons, named Nebaioth became its custodian. After his death, the custodianship of the Ka‘bah was entrusted to his maternal grandfather, al-Mudad b. ‘Amr, and for an extended period of time it remained with the tribe of Jurhum.” (Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad MA^ra, ibid.)

The Quraysh are the descendants of Ishmael^as. “According to the Bible, the Ishmaelites lived in Paran, and Paran, according to Arab geographers, is the territory extending from Mecca to the northern border of Arabia. Paran, therefore, is part of Arabia, as certainly as the Quraysh, are the descendants of Ishmael^as. The divine glory that was to rise from Paran was, therefore, to rise from Arabia.” (Introduction to the Study of the Holy Quran, p. 69)