Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 33)
The Story of Sacrifice: The Meeting of Father and Son
After Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) left his wife Hajar and his infant son Isma’il in the barren, waterless valley of Makkah, he returned to Sham with tearful eyes and a heart full of sorrow and longing. He missed his beloved child—granted to him after many years of waiting and old age—deeply. Ibrahim never ceased praying for Isma’il, and the image of his son never left his mind and heart, even for a moment.
Days, months, and years passed one after another. Finally, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) once again decided to set out for those desolate, lifeless deserts, heading toward the very place where he had left that pure and blessed seed, that cherished part of his own self—Isma’il (peace be upon him). This journey was filled with both hope and fear. After a long separation and enduring many hardships, the awaited moment arrived, and the meeting between Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Isma’il (peace be upon them both) came to pass.
Father and son embraced each other—a hug that marked the end of suffering and the beginning of peace and happiness. Isma’il harbored no complaints about his father’s long absence, nor about his past actions of leaving them in the desert. His mother, Hajar, had not filled her son’s heart with hatred, resentment, or enmity. On the contrary, Isma’il knew well the rights and honor of his father—a result of his mother’s righteous upbringing. From then on, the meetings between father and son became regular, and each time their love and affection for one another grew deeper.
Prophet Ibrahim’s Dream About Sacrificing His Son Isma’il
Years passed, and Isma’il (peace be upon him) grew up. He reached an age where he could work alongside his father, exert himself, and take on responsibilities. It was at this time that Allah, the Almighty, tested father and son with a trial far greater than the first (leaving Hajar and Isma’il in the barren valley). This was a test that pierced both soul and heart, designed to reveal the hidden truths deep within the hearts of Allah’s devoted servants—a test to measure their loyalty and submission to His command.
This trial was the command to sacrifice his son. This was the same son for whom Ibrahim had prayed with humility and supplication morning and night for many years: “رَبِّ هَبْ لِی مِنَ الصَّالِحِینَ * فَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِغُلَامٍ حَلِیمٍ”(1) Translation: “My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.” So We gave him glad tidings of a forbearing boy.
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) had persistently prayed to his Lord to grant him a son to replace the kin and relatives he had left behind because of his call to Tawhid (monotheism) and his rejection of idol worship. Allah, the Almighty, accepted the prayer of this great Prophet and blessed him with Isma’il (peace be upon him). With Isma’il’s arrival, Ibrahim’s eyes lit up, his heart rejoiced, and his hope blossomed, for Allah had given him a son after years of old age and despair.
But this joy and peace came with a great trial. As soon as the boy grew and reached the prime of youth, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) saw in a dream that he was commanded to sacrifice him. This divine order was not a satanic whisper but a clear instruction from his Lord, conveyed through a dream—a turning point in the lives of both Ibrahim and Isma’il, marking the beginning of a story of unmatched faith, submission, and sacrifice.
Prophet Ibrahim’s Submission to Allah’s Command
When Allah, the Almighty, showed Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in a dream that he must sacrifice his son Isma’il (peace be upon him), Ibrahim fully submitted to this command and acted upon it without hesitation. Thus, he shared the matter with Isma’il: “فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعَى قَالَ یا بُنَی إِنِّی أَرَى فِی الْمَنَامِ أَنِّی أَذْبَحُكَ فَانْظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَى”(2) Translation: “And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, ‘O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you, so see what you think.’”
What astonishing faith, obedience, and submission! This elderly Ibrahim, who had left his family and relatives, who had migrated from his homeland, and who had been blessed in old age with the very son he had yearned for, was now being told to sacrifice him. Isma’il was a boy whom Allah had described as patient and forbearing. Ibrahim had barely begun to enjoy his companionship when he saw in a dream that he must slaughter him.
Ibrahim knew that this dream was a divine indication for sacrifice. How did he react? He never hesitated, allowed no emotion but obedience to enter his heart, and entertained no thought but submission. Yes, it was only an indication—neither explicit revelation nor a direct waking command—but it was enough for him. Allah could have given this order while he was awake, but instead, by sending it in a dream, the Almighty intensified the trial so that their response would prove the utmost sincerity and submission. Without protest or question—without asking “Why, my Lord, must I sacrifice my only son?”—Ibrahim accepted the divine command with full peace of heart.(4)
This is evident in the way he spoke to his son—calmly and confidently—so as to reassure him and protect him from satanic whispers, leaving no room for doubt about his father’s love. Ibrahim did not want to drag Isma’il to death by force or impose Allah’s order upon him under compulsion; instead, he called him gently, with words filled with love, compassion, and care: “یَا بُنَی إِنِّی أَرَى فِی الْمَنَامِ أَنِّی أَذْبَحُكَ فَانْظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَى”(5) Translation: “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you, so see what you think.”
Prophet Ibrahim’s Method of Conveying the Divine Command
Ibrahim spoke in words that reflected complete composure, confidence in the command before him, and certainty about fulfilling his duty. At the same time, these were the words of a believer unafraid of the greatness of Allah’s command—neither rushing to be rid of it nor allowing its weight to crush his spirit. Why? Because Allah had commanded Ibrahim to slaughter his son with his own hands, yet Ibrahim received this order with serenity and presented it to his son in a way that invited reflection and participation.
He did not surprise his son with the act to get it over with, but instead informed him as though discussing something ordinary. For in Ibrahim’s heart, whatever Allah commands is to be honored, and his son should know this as well so that he could obey willingly and thus share in the reward of submission. Ibrahim wanted Isma’il to taste the sweetness of voluntary obedience, just as he himself had tasted it—to attain a goodness that Ibrahim knew was greater and more lasting than life itself.
Continues…
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Reference:
1- Attributes: 100-101.
2- Attributes: 102.
3- Mohammad, Sayyed Qutb, Faizilal Al-Qur’an, vol.5, p.2994.
4- Naser al-Din Abi Saeed Abdullah, Al-Bidawi, Anwar al-Tanzil and Asrar al-Tawil, Beirut: Shaaban Institute, Beta, vol.5, p.9.
5- Al-Safat: 102.
