Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 34)
Prophet Isma’il’s Invitation by His Father
Prophet Ebrahim (peace be upon him) called his people to monotheism and abandoning the worship of idols, stars, planets, and other created beings. In delivering this message, he utilized all available methods and tools to prove the falsehood of their beliefs and repeatedly engaged in debates with them. Yet, his people refused to heed his call; instead, they united to cast him into fire to rid themselves of him. However, Allah the Exalted made the fire cool and safe for him. Concerning this, the Almighty says: “وَإِنَّ مِن شِیعَتِهِ لَإِبْرَاهِیمَ إِذْ جَاء رَبَّهُ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِیمٍ * إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِیهِ وَقَوْمِهِ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ * أَئِفْكاً آلِهَةً دُونَ اللَّهِ تُرِیدُونَ فَمَا ظَنُّكُم بِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِینَ * فَنَظَرَ نَظْرَةً فِی النُّجُومِ * فَقَالَ إِنِّی سَقِیمٌ * فَتَوَلَّوْا عَنْهُ مُدْبِرِینَ * فَرَاغَ إِلَى آلِهَتِهِمْ فَقَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ * مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنطِقُونَ * فَرَاغَ عَلَیهِمْ ضَرْباً بِالْیمِینِ * فَأَقْبَلُوا إِلَیهِ یزِفُّونَ * قَالَ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ * وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ * قَالُوا ابْنُوا لَهُ بُنْیاناً فَأَلْقُوهُ فِی الْجَحِیمِ * فَأَرَادُوا بِهِ كَیداً فَجَعَلْنَاهُمُ الْأَسْفَلِینَ”(1) Translation: Among those who followed his (Noah’s) way was Ebrahim. When he came to his Lord with a sound heart, he said to his father and his people: “What do you worship? Do you desire false gods besides Allah? Then what is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?” Then he looked at the stars and said: “Indeed, I am ill.” So they turned away from him and departed. Then he turned to their gods and said: “Will you not eat? What is wrong with you that you do not speak?” Then he struck them with his right hand. Then they came toward him hastily. He said: “Do you worship what you carve, while Allah created you and what you make?” They said: “Build a structure for him and throw him into the blazing fire.” So they intended to harm him, but We made them the lowest. [Surat As-Saffat: 83–98]
Allah nullified their schemes and saved Prophet Ebrahim (peace be upon him) from the fire. At this point, Prophet Ebrahim decided to separate from his people and abandon them. He physically distanced himself and prayed to his Lord to grant him a righteous offspring—one that would bring him comfort, compensate for what he had lost in terms of family and tribe, and carry on the message of prophethood after him. Thus, he said: “وَقَالَ إِنِّی ذَاهِبٌ إِلَى رَبِّی سَیَهْدِینِ * رَبِّ هَبْ لِی مِنَ الصَّالِحِینَ”[2] Translation: Ebrahim said: “Indeed, I will go to my Lord; He will guide me. My Lord! Grant me [a child] from among the righteous.” [Surat As-Saffat: 99–100]
Glad Tidings of a Forbearing Son
Allah the Almighty accepted his prayer and gave him glad tidings of a forbearing son. Allah says: “فَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِغُلَامٍ حَلِیمٍ”[3] Translation: So We gave him glad tidings of a forbearing son. [Surat As-Saffat: 101]
This forbearing son was none other than Prophet Isma’il (peace be upon him). He was the first child given as glad tidings to Ebrahim and, by consensus of the scholars, older than his brother Ishaq (Isaac, peace be upon him). One of the prominent attributes of Isma’il was his forbearance (ḥilm), meaning he had broad patience and calmness.[4]
Another of his notable traits was truthfulness in keeping promises. Allah the Almighty says: “وَاذْكُرْ فِی الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِیلَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولاً نَّبِیاً * وَكَانَ یأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِ مَرْضِیاً”[5] Translation: Mention in the Book [the story of] Isma’il. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet. He used to enjoin his people to prayer and alms (Zakat), and he was pleasing to his Lord. [Surat Maryam: 54–55]
The Migration of Prophet Ebrahim with His Son Isma’il and His Wife Hajar to Makkah
It was the will of Allah the Almighty that after the birth of Isma’il, Ebrahim would migrate with his son and his wife Hajar to Makkah. This part of the story refers to one of the most critical and fateful events in the life of Prophet Ebrahim and marks the beginning of the sacred history of Makkah. This migration occurred under divine command and was far from a mere geographical relocation; it had deep spiritual dimensions and far-reaching consequences for the future of Ebrahimic religions and human history.
This migration was not a human decision but part of Allah’s divine plan for achieving greater purposes. It reflects Prophet Ebrahim’s complete submission to his Lord’s commands. The choice of Makkah as the destination holds special significance. At that time, Makkah was a barren desert without water or signs of civilization. However, Allah chose it to be the location for building the Ka‘bah—the first house of monotheistic worship—and the starting point for future prophetic missions.
The presence of Hajar and Isma’il (peace be upon them) in this migration was central. Hajar, through her trust in Allah and exceptional patience, brought life to this desolate land by the miracle of Zamzam spring and laid the foundation for its settlement and prosperity. Prophet Isma’il, who later became a great messenger of Allah, grew up in this land, and the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) traces back to him. This migration laid the cornerstone for the history of the Ka‘bah and the rituals of Hajj. Later, Ebrahim and Isma’il built the Ka‘bah together, which became the Qiblah for Muslims and the spiritual center of the world.
In essence, this migration symbolizes faith, trust in Allah, patience, and sacrifice in the path of the Almighty. It demonstrates how from a seemingly insignificant beginning in a barren desert, a great civilization and a global message were born.
Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari
Imam al-Bukhari narrated in his Sahih from Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): “The first woman who wore a waist-wrap (Minṭaq) was the mother of Isma’il (Hajar). She tied a cloth around herself so that Sarah would not see her tracks. Then Ebrahim brought her and her infant son Isma’il to a place near the Ka‘bah, beside a large tree over the Zamzam well, in the highest part of the mosque. At that time, there was no one living in Makkah, nor was there any water. He left them there with a bag of dates and a skin of water, then turned and walked away. Isma’il’s mother followed him and asked, ‘O Ebrahim! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person or anything?’ She repeated this several times, but he did not answer. Then she asked, ‘Has Allah commanded you to do this?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Then He will not forsake us.’ She returned, and Ebrahim continued until he reached the hill (Thaniyyah), where they could no longer see him. He faced the Ka‘bah and raised his hands in prayer, saying: “رَبَّنَا إِنِّی أَسْكَنْتُ مِنْ ذُرِّیتِی بِوَادٍ غَیرِ ذِی زَرْعٍ عِنْدَ بَیتِكَ الْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِیقِیمُوا الصَّلَاةَ فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِی إِلَیهِمْ وَارْزُقْهُمْ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ یشْكُرُونَ”.[6] Translation: Our Lord! Indeed, I have settled some of my offspring in a valley with no vegetation, near Your Sacred House. Our Lord! That they may establish prayer, so make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they may be grateful. [Surat Ibrahim: 37]
Continues…
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References:
[1] Al-saffat: 83–98.
[2] Al-saffat: 99–100.
[3] Al-saffat: 101.
[4] Muhammad Jamal al-Din al-Qasimi, Maḥāsin al-Taʾwīl, Vol. 14, p. 117; Imas al-Din Abu al-Fidāʾ Ismāʿīl ibn Kathīr, Tafsīr al-Qurʾān al-ʿAẓīm, Vol. 4, p. 14.
[5] Maryam: 54–55.
[6] Narrated by al-Bukhari in The Book of the Prophets – Chapter: “They hasten (yaziffūn) with short quick steps,” and the word yaziffūn appears in the story of our master Ebrahim(peace be upon him) with his people when he broke their idols. Fatḥ al-Bārī, pp. 138–139.
