Prophet Ismail (Ishmael)

Ismail ibn Ibrahim (Ishmael, son of Abraham, peace be upon him) is a prophet of Allah, the firstborn son of Ibrahim, born to his wife Hajar (Hagar). When Ismail was still an infant, Allah commanded Ibrahim to leave him and his mother in the barren valley of Mecca — a place with no water, vegetation, or people. Ibrahim obeyed. When Hajar called after him asking where he was leaving them, he did not respond. She asked: "Has Allah commanded you with this?" He said yes. She said: "Then He will not abandon us." Her trust was rewarded immediately.

When her water ran out and the infant cried from thirst, Hajar ran seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching desperately for water. At the moment of her greatest distress, Allah caused the spring of Zamzam to gush forth at the feet of Ismail — a spring that has never dried to this day. Every pilgrim performing Hajj and Umrah commemorates her running by performing the sa'i between Safa and Marwa.

When Ismail had grown and was old enough to work, Allah tested Ibrahim with the supreme trial: a vision commanding him to sacrifice his own son. Ibrahim revealed this to Ismail, who responded with complete submission. Allah records in Surah As-Saffat (37:102-103): "He said, 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.' He said, 'O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.'" At the moment of sacrifice, Allah called out to stop Ibrahim and ransomed Ismail with a great ram from Paradise. This is commemorated every year during Eid al-Adha.

Father and son then worked together to raise the foundations of the Kabah in Mecca, making du'a recorded in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:127-128): "Our Lord, accept this from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing. Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You." The Quran describes Ismail's character in Surah Maryam (19:54-55): "And mention in the Book, Ismail. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet. And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakah and was to his Lord pleasing."

Ismail settled in Mecca, learned Arabic from the tribe of Jurhum who came to settle near Zamzam, and married from among them. Through his twelve sons, the Arab tribes of the Hijaz descended, and from his progeny came Prophet Muhammad ☪ many generations later — the fulfillment of Ibrahim's prayer that from his descendants Allah would raise a prophet reciting divine revelation. Ismail's life models the highest prophetic character: complete trust in Allah combined with joyful submission to His command, no matter the cost.