Ismail

إسماعيل

Father of the Arabs

MessengerMentioned 12x in Quran

Era

After Ibrahim

Location

Makkah

Nation

Arab tribes descended from him

Age

137 years

Quick summary

Miracle

Zamzam water

The Story

Ismail (peace be upon him) was the firstborn son of Ibrahim through Hajar. As an infant, he was taken with his mother to the barren valley of Makkah by Allah's command.

When Hajar ran out of water, she ran between Safa and Marwa seven times looking for help. Allah caused the well of Zamzam to spring forth beneath baby Ismail's feet, a miracle that continues to this day.

As Ismail grew, Ibrahim visited them. When Ismail was old enough to work with his father, Allah commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice him. Both father and son submitted completely to Allah's will. At the moment of sacrifice, Allah ransomed Ismail with a ram.

Ibrahim and Ismail together rebuilt the Ka'bah, making du'a for their descendants. From Ismail came the Arab tribes, and through them, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The rituals of Hajj commemorate the experiences of Ibrahim, Hajar, and Ismail.

Key Events

Left in Makkah

Brought to barren valley as infant

Zamzam

Well sprung from beneath his feet

The Sacrifice

Submitted to be sacrificed, ransomed by Allah

Built Ka'bah

Helped Ibrahim rebuild the Sacred House

Lessons from Ismail's Life

Trust in Allah provides from unexpected sources

Submission to Allah brings honor

Parents and children can work together for Allah

Small beginnings can lead to great legacies

Quran References

Building Ka'bah with Ibrahim

“Building Ka'bah with Ibrahim”

— Surah Al-Baqarah•Ayah 125-129

The sacrifice story

“The sacrifice story”

— Surah As-Saffat•Ayah 99-111

Praised for keeping promises

“Praised for keeping promises”

— Surah Maryam•Ayah 54-55

Prophetic Lineage

Father/Ancestor

Ibrahim

إبراهيم

Ismail

إسماعيل

Descendant

Muhammad

محمد

The Story

Ismail (peace be upon him) was the firstborn son of Ibrahim through Hajar. As an infant, he was taken with his mother to the barren valley of Makkah by Allah's command.

Ismail

إسماعيل

Father of the Arabs

MessengerMentioned 12x in Quran

Era

After Ibrahim

Location

Makkah

Nation

Arab tribes descended from him

Age

137 years

Quick summary

Miracle

Zamzam water

The Story

Ismail (peace be upon him) was the firstborn son of Ibrahim through Hajar. As an infant, he was taken with his mother to the barren valley of Makkah by Allah's command.