The story of Prophet Ismail (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is a profound narrative of faith, sacrifice, and divine wisdom. Revered in Islam as a noble prophet, Ismail’s life is closely tied to that of his father, Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and holds deep spiritual lessons for Muslims worldwide. This powerful story begins with a miraculous birth, unfolds through immense trials, and ends with Ismail’s legacy embedded within Islamic rites and heritage.
The Birth of Prophet Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)
Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his wife Sarah endured many years without children. Though devoted to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), they longed for a child to carry forward the lineage of faith. In a remarkable act of devotion and humility, Sarah proposed that Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) marry her handmaid, Hagar (Hājar), to fulfill this heartfelt yearning.
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) soon answered their prayers with the birth of Prophet Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), the first son of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). His arrival marked not only a blessing to the family but also the beginning of a divine mission, as Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was chosen by Allah to become a prophet.
Prophet Ibrahim’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Departure
One day, Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) turned to his wife Hagar (Hājar) with a solemn expression and asked her to prepare herself and their infant son, Isma’il (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), for a long journey. Though Hagar was not told where they were going or why, she obeyed without hesitation, trusting in her husband’s wisdom and the will of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
Through the Wilderness
Their journey spanned many terrains—fertile lands gave way to arid deserts, and green plains faded into rocky hills. After days of travel, they finally reached a desolate and lifeless valley nestled in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. The air was dry, the heat oppressive, and the ground cracked from the absence of water.
They stopped near a lone, withered tree—perhaps the only sign of life in the entire valley. There were no people, no crops, and no visible water sources. It was an empty, forsaken land.
A Pouch of Dates and a Skin of Water
Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) helped Hagar down from her ride and handed her a simple leather pouch filled with dates and a small water skin—barely enough for survival. He then mounted his steed again and quietly turned to leave, not saying a word.
Confused and deeply alarmed, Hagar followed after him.
“O Ibrahim! Where are you going, leaving us in this barren valley?”
“Where there is no one to keep us company and nothing to sustain us?”
She repeated the question multiple times, but Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) remained silent, not out of disregard, but because his heart was too heavy to speak—he was fulfilling the command of Allah.
A Mother’s Faith
Then a realization struck Hagar. With her voice steady but eyes searching for reassurance, she asked:
“Has Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) commanded you to do this?”
“Yes,” he finally replied.
“Then He will not neglect us,” she answered with conviction and faith.
Trusting in Allah’s wisdom and mercy, Hagar returned to the shade of the tree, cradling her child and watching her husband disappear into the horizon.
A Father’s Du’a for His Family
As Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) walked away from his beloved wife and son, his heart ached. Yet his soul was steadfast in faith. He turned his face to the heavens and raised his hands in a heartfelt supplication:
“Our Lord! I have settled some of my descendants in a barren valley near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.
Our Lord! Surely You know what we conceal and what we reveal. Nothing is hidden from Allah on the earth or in the heaven.”رَّبَّنَآ إِنِّىٓ أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِى بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِى زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ ٱلْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱجْعَلْ أَفْـِٔدَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ تَهْوِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ وَٱرْزُقْهُم مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِى وَمَا نُعْلِنُ ۗ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
— (Surah Ibrahim, 14:37-38)
This moment marked the beginning of a sacred legacy. The barren valley where he left his family would later become Makkah, the holiest city in Islam, and his infant son Isma’il (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) would grow to assist his father in building the Kaaba—the House of Allah.
The Miracle of Zamzam
Left alone in the harsh desert of the barren valley, Hagar clung to her faith. She continued to nurse her son, baby Isma’il (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and carefully rationed the limited provisions—just a handful of dates and a small water skin—that Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) had left behind.
But in that dry land, the dates were soon eaten, and the water quickly ran out. The sun was blazing, and the infant cried in thirst. Hagar, filled with fear and motherly desperation, looked around. There was still no sign of life. No water. No people. Just the scorching silence of the desert.
Sa’iy – The Search for Help
Determined to find help, Hagar climbed a nearby hill—Mount Safa—hoping to see someone in the distance. But there was no one. She descended and ran across the valley floor to the opposite hill—Mount Marwah—and climbed it too, scanning the horizon.
She ran back and forth between these two hills seven times, searching and praying. This intense act of faith and struggle is known as Sa’iy, which every Muslim today re-enacts during Hajj and Umrah.
A Mysterious Voice
After her seventh run, Hagar suddenly heard a mysterious voice. She paused. Then she heard it again.
“O, whoever you may be!” she cried.
“You have made me hear your voice; do you have anything to help me?”
She turned toward the source of the voice with hope in her heart.
The Angel and the Flow of Zamzam
To her astonishment, she saw an angel—identified in the hadith as Jibreel (Gabriel عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)—at the site where her baby lay crying. He was either striking the ground with his heel or his wing, depending on the narration.
Suddenly, from the dry and cracked earth, water began to spring forth—clear, cool, and abundant.
Overwhelmed with relief and gratitude, Hagar rushed forward. She scooped the water into her hands and drank deeply, then gave some to her baby. She quickly created a small basin around it to contain the water, using stones and sand.
She began to say repeatedly, “Zam Zam!” which means “Stop! Stop!”—a plea for the water to pause so she could gather it.
Yet the water continued to flow.
A Divine Promise
The angel then turned to Hagar and said:
“Do not be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah, which will be built by this boy and his father. Allah never neglects His people.”
This was a divine reassurance: her child, Isma’il (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), would not only survive but become part of a great legacy. He and his father would one day build the Kaaba, the Sacred House of Allah.
A Mother’s Role in a Timeless Legacy
In a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas and recorded in Sahih Bukhari (3362, 3364), the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“May Allah bestow mercy on Ishmael’s mother!
Had she let the Zamzam flow (without trying to contain it), or had she not scooped it to fill her water-skin, Zamzam would have been a flowing stream on the surface of the earth.”
— (Sahih Bukhari, 3362, 3364)
Her instinctive actions—born of survival and love—are honored to this day.
Note for Pilgrims
The spring that gushed forth is now called Zamzam, and its water is considered blessed and healing. To this day, Muslims drink it during Hajj and Umrah, and bottles of Zamzam water are cherished gifts around the world.
The act of running between Safa and Marwah, just as Hagar did in her search for water, is re-enacted during pilgrimage as Sa’iy, one of the essential rituals of Hajj and Umrah. Through this, millions remember the courage, faith, and legacy of Hagar.
The Tribe of Jurhum Settles in the Valley
After the miracle of Zamzam, Hagar and her son Isma’il (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) lived alone in the quiet desert valley. The Kaaba was not yet rebuilt, but the sacred ground was preserved by Allah. The valley itself was still empty—no people, no towns, and no permanent life—except for the miraculous spring that now gushed beside them.
The Arrival of Jurhum
As Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) narrated in a hadith recorded in Sahih Bukhari:
“The House (Kaaba) at that time was on a high place resembling a hillock, and when torrents came, they flowed to its right and left…”
(Sahih Bukhari, 3364)
One day, a caravan from the ancient Arab tribe known as Jurhum was passing through the region via the mountain pass of Kada’. They noticed a bird flying low in circles. One of the elders among them said:
“This bird must be flying around water, though we know there is no water in this valley.”
Curious and cautious, they sent scouts to investigate. To their amazement, the scouts discovered a fresh spring bubbling from the ground—Zamzam—with a woman and a child seated beside it.
A Life-Changing Encounter
The tribe approached respectfully. They had never seen anyone living in the desolate valley of Bakkah (Mecca), let alone near a spring of water. They asked Hagar for permission to settle nearby and use the water of Zamzam.
Hagar, wise and independent, agreed—but only on the condition that they would not claim ownership of the water.
She said: “Yes, but you will have no right to possess the water.”
They accepted the condition, and so the tribe of Jurhum settled in the lower part of Mecca. Over time, a small but thriving community grew around Hagar and her blessed son.
Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Grows Up
Isma’il (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) grew up strong and virtuous among the Jurhum tribe. He learned their language—Arabic, which he spoke with eloquence. He earned their admiration for his excellent character, truthfulness, modesty, and deep spirituality.
When he reached adulthood, Isma’il (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) married a woman from the Jurhum tribe, further strengthening the bond between his family and theirs. His life became a symbol of trust in Allah, patience in hardship, and excellence in conduct.
A Legacy Begins
The story of Hagar, Isma’il, and the Jurhum tribe is not just one of survival—it is the foundation of the City of Mecca. Through their faith and sacrifice, Allah prepared the ground for the next great chapter: the rebuilding of the Kaaba.
And from the descendants of Isma’il (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), generations later, would come the final Prophet—Muhammad (ﷺ)—fulfilling the promise of Allah to Hagar that He would never abandon her or her child.
The Sacred Sacrifice
A Story of Trust, Patience, and Submission to Allah
One day, Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) visited his beloved son, Prophet Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), in Makkah. Ishmael had grown into a strong young man, old enough to help his father with work. During this visit, Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) shared something extraordinary—a dream he had been seeing repeatedly.
The Dream and the Test
“My son, I see in my dream that I am slaughtering you. So consider (and tell me) what you think.”
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ
— Surah As-Saffat, Ayah 102
This was a divine command from Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), not just a dream. It was a tremendous test of faith for both father and son.
The Reply of Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)
“O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha’Allah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of the patient ones.”
ۚ قَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
— Surah As-Saffat, Ayah 102
His response showed extraordinary obedience and trust in Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), even in the face of death.
The Journey to Mount Arafat
Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) took Ishmael to Mount Arafat to carry out the command. According to authentic historical sources, Shaitan (Satan) tried to stop Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) three times—at Jamarat-al-Ula, Jamarat-al-Wusta, and Jamarat-al-Kubra.
Each time, Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) rejected Shaitan’s whispers and threw seven pebbles at him, an act that is now commemorated during Hajj.
Words of Love and Courage
Tafseer Maariful Qur’an mentions a moving conversation between the father and son:
“My dear father, tie me down well so that I do not struggle. Protect your clothes from my blood so that your reward remains pure, and take care not to let my mother see my blood, lest she be overwhelmed by grief.
Sharpen your knife, and make it quick to ease my final moments. Give my mother my salaam and, if you wish, give her my shirt for comfort.”
Hearing these touching words, Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was filled with sorrow, yet his faith kept him strong. He kissed his son, tied him gently, and placed him prostrate on his forehead, ready to fulfill Allah’s command.
“And he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice).”
فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ
— Surah As-Saffat, Ayah 103
This position not only reflected full submission to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) but also helped Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) avoid seeing his son’s face during this difficult act.
The Divine Intervention
Just as he was about to carry out the sacrifice, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) called out:
“O Ibrahim! You have indeed fulfilled your dream. Thus do We reward the good-doers.”
وَنَـٰدَيْنَـٰهُ أَن يَـٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ .قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ ٱلرُّءْيَآ ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
— Surah As-Saffat, Ayah 104-105
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) replaced Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) with a mighty ram for sacrifice.
“Indeed, this was a clear test.
And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.
And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:
‘Peace be upon Ibrahim!’
Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.
Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.”إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْبَلَاءُ الْمُبِينُ (106) وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ (107) وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِي الْآخِرِينَ (108) سَلَامٌ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ (109) كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ (110) إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (111)
— Surah As-Saffat, Ayat 106-111
Legacy of the Sacrifice
From that day forward, sacrificing an animal became a part of the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid al-Adha. The stoning of the Jamaraat also became an essential ritual to remember the rejection of Shaitan and submission to Allah’s command.
Wives of Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)
After the passing of Hājar (عَلَيْهَا ٱلسَّلَامُ), Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) made a journey to Makkah to visit his beloved son, Prophet Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Upon arriving, he found that his son was away, seeking livelihood. However, he met Ishmael’s wife at their home.
First Visit: A Test of Patience
Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) greeted her and inquired about their living conditions.
She replied with complaints:
“We are living in misery and hardship. Life is very difficult for us.”
Hearing this, Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) left her with a cryptic message:
“When your husband returns, convey my salām (greetings) to him and tell him to change the threshold of his gate.”
Note: The phrase “threshold of your gate” symbolically referred to his wife — the foundation of his household.
When Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) returned home, he sensed that something had happened.
He asked his wife:
“Did anyone visit us while I was away?”
She replied:
“Yes, an old man came by. I described our living conditions to him and he advised me to tell you to change the threshold of your gate.”
Prophet Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) immediately understood:
“That was my father, and by the threshold of the gate, he meant you. He has advised me to divorce you.”
He obeyed the wisdom of his father and the command of Allah and divorced her. Later, he married another woman from the tribe of Jurhum.
Second Visit: A Marriage of Gratitude
Some time passed, and Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) returned to Makkah again to visit his son. As before, Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was away in search of provision.
This time, his new wife greeted Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) with warmth and respect. When asked about their living conditions, she said:
“Alhamdulillah! We are prosperous and content. We have everything we need.”
Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then asked:
“What kind of food do you eat?”
She answered:
“Meat.”
“And what do you drink?” he asked.
She replied:
“Water.”
Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then raised his hands and made a powerful duʿā’:
“O Allah! Bless their meat and water.”
This duʿā’ became a means of barakah (blessing) for the people of Makkah for generations.
Before leaving, he said:
“When your husband returns, give him my greetings and tell him to keep firm the threshold of his gate.”
When Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) came back, his wife informed him of the visitor and relayed the message.
He immediately understood:
“That was my father. And by the threshold of the gate, he meant you. He has commanded me to keep you with me.”
This story beautifully highlights the wisdom and foresight of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), as well as the importance of choosing a righteous spouse who shows gratitude, patience, and respect.
Lessons Learned
- A grateful heart earns the blessings of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
- Righteous spouses are like foundations — they influence the strength and stability of the household.
- Wisdom can be passed through subtle yet powerful words.
- Obedience to Allah and respect for one’s parents bring barakah and success.
Building the Kaaba
According to the narration of Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه), one day Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) visited his son Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in Makkah once more. Upon arrival, he found Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) sitting under a tree near the well of Zamzam, sharpening his arrows.
When Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) recognized his father, he stood up and welcomed him with warmth and respect. Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then conveyed to his son a noble command from Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) said:
“O Ishmael! Allah has given me an order.”Ishmael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) replied:
“Do what your Lord has commanded you to do.”Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) asked:
“Will you help me?”Ishmael affirmed:
“I will help you.”
Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then pointed to a small hillock slightly elevated above the surrounding land and said:
“Allah has ordered me to build a House here.”
Father and Son Build the Kaaba
As narrated by Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ):
“Then they raised the foundations of the House (i.e. the Kaaba). Ishmael brought the stones, and Ibrahim built. When the walls became high, Ishmael brought a stone and placed it so that Ibrahim could stand on it while building. Ishmael handed him the stones, and both of them were saying:
رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلۡ مِنَّآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
Rabbanaa taqabbal minnaa innaka Antas-Samee’ul-‘Aleem“Our Lord! Accept this service from us. You are indeed the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
— (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 127)
This heartfelt invocation, recited as they built the Kaaba together, reflects their sincerity, humility, and unwavering submission to Allah’s command.