Prophets
Who was Prophet Ismail? His life and story
Ibrahim's elder son, co-builder of the Kaaba
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At a glance
- His father
- The Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)
- His mother
- Hajar
- His brother
- The Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him)
- Key event
- His submission to his father in the trial of sacrifice (As-Saffat, 102)
- Important work
- Raising the walls of the Kaaba with his father (Al-Baqarah, 127)
- His quality
- True to his word, patient (Maryam, 54)
Story summary
Ismail (peace be upon him) is the elder son of the Prophet Ibrahim; his mother was Hajar. While still young, he submitted completely to his father and to Allah's command in the trial of sacrifice. Later, together with his father Ibrahim, he raised the walls of the Kaaba in Mecca. The Quran praises him as a Prophet who was true to his word and patient.
Full story
Ibrahim's elder son
Ismail (peace be upon him) is the elder son of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him); his mother was Hajar. He was a righteous child granted to his father in his old age.
He grew up as a Prophet devoted to Allah, continuing his father's path of Tawhid, and kept the call to truth alive among his own descendants.
Zamzam and Safa-Marwah
By Allah's command, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) left Hajar and the infant Ismail (peace be upon him) in the waterless valley of Mecca. When the water ran out, Hajar went back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, searching for water for her son. At that moment, by Allah's grace, the water of Zamzam sprang up beside Ismail (Sahih Bukhari).
Hajar's search is the origin of the sa'i rite performed today in Hajj and Umrah. After the water was found, the tribe of Jurhum settled there; Ismail (peace be upon him) grew up among them and learned Arabic.
The trial of sacrifice
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) saw in a dream that he had to sacrifice his son, and he told him about it. Ismail (peace be upon him) answered without hesitation: "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient" (As-Saffat, 102).
Both of them submitted completely to Allah's command. At the last moment Allah rewarded their submission by sending down a great sacrifice in place of the son. This event is one of the finest examples of a father and son bowing to Allah.
Raising the Kaaba
Ismail (peace be upon him), together with his father Ibrahim (peace be upon him), raised the walls of the Kaaba in Mecca. As they worked, they prayed together: "Our Lord, accept this from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing" (Al-Baqarah, 127).
The house they raised remains today the Qibla of Muslims around the world and the center of the Hajj rites.
A Prophet true to his word
The Quran remembers Ismail (peace be upon him) as a Prophet who kept his word: "He was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a Prophet" (Maryam, 54).
He would command his family to pray and give zakat, and he lived as a servant who had earned his Lord's pleasure. His patience and his faithfulness to his word are his most notable qualities.
In the Quran
Ismail's (peace be upon him) submission in the trial of sacrifice is narrated in Surah As-Saffat (chapter 37), while his raising of the Kaaba with his father is narrated in Surah Al-Baqarah (chapter 2). The Quran remembers him as a Prophet true to his word and patient (Maryam, 54). His name is often mentioned together with his father Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
Lessons and wisdom
- Submitting to Allah's command, even in the hardest trial, is true faith.
- A child's obedience to both his parent and his Lord at once is a great beauty.
- Keeping one's word is a mark of prophetic character.
- Allah rewards the servant who submits to Him in unexpected ways.
Sources
This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.
- QuranSurah As-Saffat, 102
This verse narrates Ismail's (peace be upon him) submission to his father in the trial of sacrifice.
This verse mentions Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them) raising the walls of the Kaaba.
- QuranSurah Maryam, 54
This verse states that Ismail (peace be upon him) was true to his promise and was a sent messenger and Prophet.
- HadithSahih Bukhari, 3364
This hadith narrates Hajar's search between Safa and Marwah, the springing up of Zamzam, and Ismail's (peace be upon him) growing up among the tribe of Jurhum and learning Arabic.
- Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "İsmâil"
Referenced for academic information about Prophet Ismail's lineage, his life in Mecca and his connection to the Kaaba.
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 Ismail?
Ismail (peace be upon him) is the elder son of the Prophet Ibrahim, whose mother was Hajar, and who built the Kaaba together with his father. The Quran praises him as true to his word and patient (Maryam, 54).What did Prophet Ismail do in the trial of sacrifice?
He submitted completely to Allah's command, telling his father Ibrahim (peace be upon him), "Do as you are commanded." At the last moment Allah sent down a great sacrifice in his place (As-Saffat, 102-107).Who did Prophet Ismail build the Kaaba with?
He raised the walls of the Kaaba together with his father Ibrahim (peace be upon him), and both of them prayed, "Our Lord, accept this from us" (Al-Baqarah, 127).How is Prophet Ismail connected to the water of Zamzam?
As his mother Hajar searched for water for the infant Ismail (peace be upon him), she went back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, and by Allah's grace the water of Zamzam sprang up. This search is the origin of the sa'i rite in Hajj (Sahih Bukhari).What was Prophet Ismail's relation to Prophet Ibrahim?
Ismail (peace be upon him) is the elder son of the Prophet Ibrahim; Ishaq (peace be upon him) is his brother.