Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (part 63)
The Bequest of Prophet Ya‘qub (AS) to His Children
Just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS), at the time of his death, advised his children to remain firm upon the religion of Islam, Prophet Ya‘qub (AS)—his grandson—followed the same path as his forefather. During the final moments of his life, he offered his children the same Abrahamic counsel.
Allah Almighty says: “وَمَن یرْغَبُ عَن مِلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِیمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ وَلَقَدِ اصْطَفَینَاهُ فِی الدُّنْیا وَإِنَّهُ فِی الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِینَ * إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِینَ * وَوَصَّى بِهَا إِبْرَاهِیمُ بَنِیهِ وَیعْقُوبُ یا بَنِی إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَى لَكُمُ الدِّینَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ * أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَاءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ یعْقُوبَ الْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِیهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن بَعْدِی قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ إِلَهَكَ وَإِلَهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِیمَ وَإِسْمَاعِیلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِلَهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ.” Translation: “Who would turn away from the religion of Ibrahim except one who makes a fool of himself? We chose him in this world, and he will surely be among the righteous in the Hereafter.
When his Lord said to him, ‘Submit,’ he replied, ‘I have submitted myself to the Lord of the worlds.’
And Ibrahim enjoined this upon his sons, and so did Ya‘qub: ‘O my children! Allah has chosen the true religion for you, so never die except as Muslims.’
Were you present when death came to Ya‘qub? When he said to his sons, ‘What will you worship after me?’ They replied, ‘We will worship your God, the God of your forefathers—Ibrahim, Isma‘il, and Ishaq—the One True God, and to Him we submit.’”
The Concern of Ya‘qub (AS) at the Moment of Death
The final bequest of Prophet Ya‘qub (AS) during the last moments of his life was nothing but a repetition of the counsel of his grandfather Ibrahim (AS). Even the agonies of death could not divert him from this supreme concern. (The Jews of today must reflect upon this scene.)
The dialogue between Ya‘qub (AS) and his sons at his deathbed is deeply meaningful, profound, and impactful.
A father is on the verge of death—but what occupies his mind?
What concern surpasses even the agony of dying?
What is the greatest inheritance he wishes to leave behind, and what is he most eager to ensure remains safe in the hands of his children?
That inheritance is ‘Aqidah—faith and belief.
It was the greatest trust, the strongest foundation, and the deepest concern he carried. Even the pangs of death did not distract him from ensuring its preservation: “مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ بَعْدِی” Translation: “What will you worship after me?”
This was the question for which he gathered his sons to ensure their certainty and commitment. They replied: “قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ إِلَهَكَ وَإِلَهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِیمَ وَإِسْمَاعِیلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِلَهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ.” Translation: “They said: ‘We will worship your God, the God of your forefathers—Ibrahim, Isma‘il, and Ishaq—the One True God, and we submit to Him.’”
They knew their religion and preserved the creed inherited from their forefathers. With this answer, they brought peace to the heart of their dying father. Thus, the bequest of Ibrahim (AS) remained intact among the children of Ya‘qub (AS), and they clearly declared that they were Muslims—those who submit to Allah.
Indeed, what a great bequest it was—one upon which both Ibrahim (AS) and Ya‘qub (AS) insisted when advising their children.
Analysis of the Deathbed Scene (Psychology of Crisis, Education & Upbringing)
The conversation of Ya‘qub (AS) with his sons on his deathbed represents a powerful educational and psychological model:
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Prioritization During Crisis
At a moment when the severest physical distress—the agonies of death—overwhelms a person, Ya‘qub’s highest concern remains the preservation of the foundational belief of the next generation.
This indicates that, in the Islamic worldview, nothing is more important than the purity of belief.
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A Question-Based Pedagogical Method
Instead of issuing a direct command (“You must worship Allah”), Ya‘qub (AS) asks: “مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ بَعْدِی؟” This method prompts reflection, self-awareness, and verbal affirmation of belief. Such affirmation, especially at a critical emotional moment, creates a deeper and more lasting impact on the next generation.
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Strengthening Belief through Historical Continuity
The children’s response connects their monotheism directly to the prophetic lineage: Ibrahim, Isma‘il, and Ishaq (AS).
This demonstrates a mechanism of creedal reinforcement—showing that their faith is part of an unbroken divine tradition, not a newly invented belief.
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The Unity of Prophetic Message (Theological Foundations)
The bequest of Ya‘qub (AS) highlights a central theological truth:
All the major prophets—Ibrahim, Isma‘il, Ishaq, and Ya‘qub—followed one religion and one creed: pure monotheism.
This is a foundational principle in Islamic theology.
Continues…
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References:
[1] Surah al-Baqarah, 130–133
[2] Surah al-Baqarah, 133
[3] Sayyid Qutb, Fi Zilal al-Qur’an, vol. 1, p. 116
