Prophets
Who was Prophet Ishaq? His life and story
The son given as glad tidings to Ibrahim in his old age
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At a glance
- His father
- The Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)
- His brother
- The Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him)
- His son
- The Prophet Yaqub (peace be upon him)
- His glad tidings
- Given to Ibrahim and Sarah in their old age (Hud, 71)
- In the Quran
- Remembered as a righteous Prophet (As-Saffat, 112)
Story summary
Ishaq (peace be upon him) is the son of the Prophet Ibrahim, the brother of Ismail (peace be upon him), and the father of the Prophet Yaqub. He was given as glad tidings from Allah even though his father Ibrahim and his mother Sarah had already reached old age. The Quran remembers him as a righteous Prophet, and prophethood continued through his line.
Full story
Glad tidings in old age
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his wife Sarah had already reached old age and had no children. One day messengers who came as guests to Ibrahim gave him the glad tidings that Ishaq (peace be upon him) would be born (Hud, 71).
Sarah was astonished at this news, since both she and her husband were elderly. The Quran describes her astonishment: his wife came forward crying out and struck her face, saying, "I am an old barren woman!" (Adh-Dhariyat, 29). But nothing was difficult for Allah: this glad tiding was a clear sign of Allah's power.
A righteous son
Allah gave Ibrahim (peace be upon him) the glad tidings of Ishaq as a righteous Prophet: "And We gave him good tidings of Ishaq, a Prophet from among the righteous" (As-Saffat, 112).
Ishaq (peace be upon him) continued his father's path of Tawhid and was a servant devoted to Allah and righteous in deed. His birth was a great favor from Allah to his elderly parents.
A lineage of Prophethood
Ishaq (peace be upon him) is the father of the Prophet Yaqub (peace be upon him). Many Prophets came from his line, which makes him one of the important links in the chain of Prophethood.
The Quran often mentions Ibrahim, Ishaq and Yaqub (peace be upon them) together and describes all of them as righteous, chosen servants. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also described this noble lineage in these words: "A noble one, son of a noble one, son of a noble one, son of a noble one: Yusuf son of Yaqub son of Ishaq son of Ibrahim" (Sahih Bukhari).
In the Quran
The glad tidings of Ishaq (peace be upon him) are narrated in Surah Hud (chapter 11) within the account of Ibrahim's (peace be upon him) conversation with the guest messengers, while his being a righteous Prophet is narrated in Surah As-Saffat (chapter 37). The Quran does not give a detailed account of his life, but remembers him as a righteous, chosen Prophet, often alongside his father Ibrahim and his son Yaqub.
Lessons and wisdom
- Age and circumstance are no obstacle to Allah's favor: He grants righteous children even to elderly parents.
- Every glad tiding is a sign of Allah's power.
- Righteous offspring are a great blessing and a trust.
- Allah continues the line of the servants He has chosen with good.
Sources
This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.
- QuranSurah Hud, 71
This verse narrates the glad tidings given to Ibrahim and Sarah of Ishaq's (peace be upon him) birth.
- QuranSurah As-Saffat, 112
This verse states that Ishaq (peace be upon him) was given as glad tidings as one of the righteous Prophets.
These verses narrate the guest messengers giving Ibrahim (peace be upon him) the glad tidings of "a knowledgeable son" and Sarah's astonishment.
- HadithSahih Bukhari, 3382
This hadith in which our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) described Yusuf, Yaqub, Ishaq and Ibrahim (peace be upon them) as "a noble one, son of a noble one".
- Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "İshak"
Referenced for academic information about Prophet Ishaq's lineage and his mention in the Quran.
Related Prophets
Other Prophets connected with this story.
Related dream interpretation
Meaning as a personal name
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Prophet.
Who was Prophet Ishaq?
Ishaq (peace be upon him) is the son of the Prophet Ibrahim, the brother of Ismail (peace be upon him), and the father of the Prophet Yaqub. The Quran remembers him as a righteous Prophet (As-Saffat, 112).How was Prophet Ishaq's birth announced?
He was given as glad tidings from Allah even though his father Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his mother Sarah had already reached old age (Hud, 71).Who was Prophet Ishaq's son?
Prophet Ishaq's son was the Prophet Yaqub (peace be upon him); many Prophets came from his line.Which line of Prophets does Ishaq belong to?
Ishaq (peace be upon him) is the son of the Prophet Ibrahim, the father of Yaqub, and the grandfather of Yusuf. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) described this noble lineage as "a noble one, son of a noble one" (Sahih Bukhari).