- Islamic Commentaries about the story of Isaac and Ishmael
- Other related information:
- Here are some of the "Commentaries" on Abraham and his two sons, which are part of the tradition of Islam, the following from www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/Prophet/ismail.htm:
Ismail (Ishmael)
Abraham leaves Hajar and Ishmael
One day, Abraham woke up and asked his wife Hajar to get her son and prepare
for a long journey. In a few days, Abraham started out with his wife Hajar
and their son Ishmael. The child was still nursing and not yet weaned.
Abraham walked through cultivated land, desert, and mountains until he
reached the desert of the Arabian Peninsula and came to an uncultivated
valley having no fruit, no trees, no food, no water. The valley had no sign
of life. After Abraham had helped his wife and child to dismount, he left
them with a small amount of food and water which was hardly enough for two
days. He turned around and walked away. His wife hurried after him asking:
"Where are you going, Abraham, leaving us in this barren valley?"
Abraham did not answer her, but continued walking. She repeated what she had
said, but he remained silent. Finally, she understood that he was not acting
on his own initiative. She realized that Allah had commanded him to do this.
She asked him: "Did Allah command you to do so?" He replied: "Yes." Then his
great wife said: "We are not going to be lost, since Allah, Who has commanded
you, is with us."
Abraham invoked Almighty Allah thus: "0 our Lord! I have made some of my
offspring to dwell in a valley with no cultivation, by Your Sacred House (the
Kaba at Mecca); in order, 0 our Lord, that they may offer prayers perfectly
(Iqamat-as-Salat), so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and
(0 Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks. 0 our Lord!
Certainly, You know what we conceal and what we reveal. Nothing on the earth
or in the heaven is hidden from Allah." Surah 14: 37-38 (Surahs are "Chapters" in the Qur'an)
Hajar and Ishmael - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas narrated: "The first lady to use a girdle was the mother of
Ishmael. She used a girdle so that she might hide her tracks from Sarah by
dragging it. Abraham brought her and her son Ishmael, while she was suckling
him, to a place near the Kaba under a tree on the spot of Zam-zam, at the
highest place in the mosque. During those days there was nobody in Mecca, nor
was there any water so he made them sit over there and placed near them a
leather bag containing some dates and a small water-skin containing some
water and set out homeward. Ishmael's mother followed him saying: '0 Abraham!
Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose
company we may enjoy, nor is there anything (to enjoy)?' She repeated that to
him many times, but he did not look back at her. Then she asked him: 'Has
Allah ordered you to do so?' He said: Yes.' She said: 'Then He will not
neglect us,' and returned while Abraham proceeded onwards. On reaching the
Thaniya where they could not see him, he faced the Kaba, and raising both
hands, invoked Allah saying the following prayers: "0 our Lord! I have made
some of my offspring dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Your Sacred
House (Ka'ba at Mecca) in order, 0 our Lord, that they may offer prayers
perfectly. So fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (0
Allah) provide them with fruits, so that they may give thanks." Surah 14: 37 (Surahs are "Chapters" in the Qur'an)
Ibn Abbas's narration continued: "Ishmael's mother went on suckling Ishmael
and drinking from the water (she had). When the water in the water-skin had
all been used up, she became thirsty and her child also became thirsty. She
started looking at him (i.e. Ishmael) tossing in agony. She left him, for she
could not endure looking at him, and found that the mountain of As-Safa was
the nearest mountain to her on that land. She stood on it and started looking
at the valley keenly so that she might see somebody, but she could not see
anybody. Then she descended from As-Safa and when she reached the valley, she
tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and
trouble, till she crossed the valley and reached the mountain of Al-Marwa.
There she stood and started looking, expecting to see somebody, but she could
not see anybody. She repeated that (running between Safa and Marwa) seven
times."
Hajar sees Zam-zam - by Prophet Muhammad
The Prophet Muhammad said: 'This is the source of the tradition of the Sa'y
(One of the rituals of the hajj, or pilgrimage) the going of people between
them (i.e. As-Safa and Al-Marwa). When she reached Al- Marwa (for the last
time) she heard a voice and she asked herself to be quiet and listened
attentively. She heard the voice again and said: '0, (whoever you may be)!
You have made me hear your voice; have you got something to help me?' And
behold! She saw an angel at the place of Zam-zam, digging the earth with his
heel (or his wing) till water flowed from that place. She started to make
something like a basin around it, using her hand in this way, and started
filling her water-skin with water with her hands, and the water was flowing
out after she had scooped some of it."
The Prophet added: "May Allah bestow mercy on Ishmael's mother! Had she let
the Zam-zam (flow without trying to control it or had she not scooped from
that water to fill her water-skin), Zam-zam would have been a stream flowing
on the surface of the earth."
Mecca is Settled - Told by Prophet Muhammad
The Prophet continued: 'Then she drank (water) and suckled her child. The
angel said to her: 'Don't be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House
of Allah which will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah never
neglects His people.' The House (i.e. Kaba) at that time was on a high place
resembling a hillock, and when torrents came, they flowed to its right and
left.
"She lived in that way till some people from the tribe of Jurhum or a family
from Jurhum passed by her and her child, as they (i.e. the Jurhum people)
were coming through the way of Kada'. They landed in the lower part of Mecca
where they saw a bird that had the habit of flying around water and not
leaving it. They said: 'This bird must be flying around water, though we know
that there is no water in this valley.' They sent one or two messengers who
discovered the source of water and returned to inform them of the water. So,
they all came (towards the water). Ishmael's mother was sitting near the
water. They asked her: 'Do you allow us to stay with you?' She replied: 'Yes,
but you will have no right to possess the water.' They agreed to that.
Ishmael's mother was pleased with the whole situation, as she used to love to
enjoy the company of the people. So, they settled there, and later on they
sent for their families, who came and settled with them so that some families
became permanent residents there. The child (i.e. Ishmael) grew up and
learned Arabic from them and (his virtues) caused them to love and admire him
as he grew up, and when he reached the age of puberty they made him marry a
woman from amongst them."
Ishmael's Wives
The Prophet continued: "After Ishmael's mother had died, Abraham came after
Ishmael's marriage in order to see his family that he had left before, but he
did not find Ishmael there. When he asked Ishmael's wife about him, she
replied: 'He has gone in search of our livelihood.' Then he asked her about
their way of living and their condition, and she replied: 'We are living in
misery; we are living in hardship and destitution,' complaining to him. He
said, 'When your husband returns, convey my salutation to him and tell him to
change the threshold of the gate (of his house).'
"When Ishmael came, he seemed to have felt something unusual, so he asked his
wife: 'Has anyone visited you?' She replied: Yes, an old man of such-and-such
description came and asked me about you, and I informed him, and he asked
about our state of living, and I told him that we were living in a hardship
and poverty.' On that Ishmael said: 'Did he advise you anything?' She
replied: Yes, he told me to convey his salutation to you and to tell you to
change the threshold of your gate.' Ishmael said: 'It was my father, and he
has ordered me to divorce you. Go back to your family.' So, Ishmael divorced
her and married another woman from among them (i.e. Jurhum).
'Then Abraham stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and
called on them again but did not find Ishmael. So he came to Ishmael's wife
and asked her about Ishmael. She said: 'He has gone in search of our
livelihood.' Abraham asked her: 'How are you getting on?' asking her about
their sustenance and living. She replied: 'We are prosperous and well-off
(i.e. we have everything in abundance).' Then she thanked Allah. Abraham
said: 'What kind of food do you eat?' She said: 'Meat.' He said: 'What do you
drink?' She said: 'Water.' He said: '0 Allah! Bless their meat and water."'
The Prophet added: "At that time they did not have grain, and if they had had
grain, he would have also invoked Allah to bless it. If somebody has only
these two things as his sustenance, his health and disposition will be badly
affected, unless he lives in Mecca."
The Prophet continued: 'Then Abraham said to Ishmael's wife: 'When your
husband comes, give my regards to him and tell him that he should keep firm
the threshold of his gate.' When Ishmael came back, he asked his wife: 'Did
anyone call on you?' She replied: Yes, a good-looking old man came to me,' so
she praised him and added: 'He asked about you and I informed him, and he
asked about our livelihood and I told him that we were in a good condition.'
Ishmael asked her: 'Did he give you any piece of advice?' She said: Yes, he
told me to give his regards to you and ordered that you should keep firm the
threshold of your gate.' On that Ishmael said: 'It was my father, and you are
the threshold (of the gate). He has ordered me to keep you with me.'
The Kaba is Built - by Prophet Muhammad
"Then Abraham stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and
called on them afterwards. He saw Ishmael under a tree near Zam-Zam,
sharpening his arrows.
When he saw Abraham, he rose up to welcome him (and they greeted each other
as a father does with his son or a son does with his father). Abraham said:
'0 Ishmael! Allah has given me an order.' Ishmael said: 'Do what your Lord
has ordered you to do.' Abraham asked: 'Will you help me?' Ishmael said: 'I
will help you.' Abraham said: 'Allah has ordered me to build a house here,'
pointing to a hillock higher than the land surrounding it.
"Then they raised the foundations of the House (i.e. the Kaba). Ishmael
brought the stones while Abraham built, and when the walls became high,
Ishmael brought this stone and put it for Abraham, who stood over it and
carried on building. While Ishmael was handing him the stones, and both of
them were saying: "0 our Lord! Accept (this service) from us, verily, You are
the All-Hearer, the AllKnower." Surah 2: 127 (Surahs are "Chapters" in the Qur'an)
Hajar sees zam-zam - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas narrated a slightly different version: "When Abraham had
differences with his wife (because of her jealousy of Hajar, Ishmael's
mother), he took Ishmael and his mother and went away. They had a water-skin
with them containing some water. Ishmael's mother used to drink water from
the water-skin so that her milk would increase for her child. When Abraham
reached Mecca, he made her sit under a tree and afterwards returned home.
Ishmael's mother followed him, and when they reached Kada', she called him
from behind: '0 Abraham! To whom are you leaving us?' He replied: '(I am
leaving you) to Allah's (care).' She said: 'I am satisfied to be with Allah.'
She returned to her place and started drinking water from the water-skin, and
her milk increased for her child.
"When the water had all been used up, she said to herself: 'I had better go
and look so that I may see somebody.' She ascended As-Safa Mountain and
looked, hoping to see somebody, but in vain. When she came down to the
valley, she ran till she reached Al-Marwa Mountain. She ran to and fro
(between the two mountains) many times. Then she said to herself: 'I had
better go and see the state of the child.' She went and found it in a state
of one on the point of dying. She could not endure to watch it dying and said
(to herself): 'If I go and look, I may find somebody.' She went and ascended
Al-Safa mountain and looked for a long while but could not find anybody. Thus
she completed seven rounds (of running) between As-Safa and Al-Marwa. Again
she said (to herself):
'I had better go back and see the state of the child.' But suddenly she heard
a voice, and she said to that strange voice: 'Help us if you can offer any
help.' Lo! It was Gabriel (who had made the voice). Gabriel hit the earth
with his heel like this (Ibn 'Abbas hit the earth with his heel to illustrate
it), and so the water gushed out. Ishmael's mother was astonished and started
digging."
Abu Al-Qasim, i.e. the Prophet, said: "If she had left the water, (flow
naturally without her intervention), it would have been flowing on the
surface of the earth."
Mecca is Settled - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas continued narrating: "Ishmael's mother started drinking from the
water, and her milk increased for her child. Afterwards some people of the
tribe of Jurhum saw some birds while passing through the bottom of the valley
and that astonished them. They said: 'Birds can only be found at a place
where there is water." They sent a messenger, who searched the place and
found the water, and returned to inform them about it. Then they all went to
her and said: "0 Ishmael's mother! Will you allow us to be with you (or dwell
with you)?" (And thus they stayed there.)
Ishmael's Wives - by Ibn Abbas
"Later on her boy reached the age of puberty and married a lady from them.
Then an idea occurred to Abraham, which he disclosed to his wife (Sarah). 'I
want to call on my dependents I left (at Mecca).' When he went there he
greeted (Ishmael's wife) and said: 'Where is Ishmael?' She replied: 'He has
gone out hunting.' Abraham said (to her): 'When he comes, tell him to change
the threshold of his gate.' When Ishmael came, she told him the same,
whereupon Ishmael said to her: You are the threshold, so go to your family
(i.e. you are divorced).'
"Again Abraham thought of visiting his dependents whom he had left (at
Mecca), and he told his wife (Sarah) of his intentions. Abraham came to
Ishmael's house and asked: 'Where is Ishmael?' Ishmael's wife replied: 'He
has gone out hunting,' and added: 'Will you stay (for some time) and have
something to eat and drink?' Abraham asked: 'What is your food and what is
your drink?' She replied: 'Our food is meat and our drink is water.' He said:
'0 Allah! Bless their meals and their drink.'
Abu Al-Qasim, i.e. Prophet, said: "Because of Abraham's invocation there are
blessings (in Mecca)."
Kaba is Built - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas continued: "Once more Abraham thought of visiting his family he had
left (at Mecca), so he told his wife (Sarah) of his decision. He went and
found Ishmael behind the Zam-zam well, mending his arrows. He said: '0
Ishmael, your Lord has ordered me to build a house for Him.' Ishmael said:
'Obey (the order of) your Lord.' Abraham said: 'Allah has also ordered me
that you should help me therein.' Ishmael said: Then I will do so.' So both
of them rose and Abraham started building (the Ka'ba) while Ishmael went on
handing him the stones, and both of them were saying: "0 our Lord ! Accept
(this service) of us, verily, You are the AllHearer, the All-Knower."'. When
the building became high and the old man (i.e. Abraham) could no longer lift
the stones (to such a high position), he stood over the stone of AlMaqam and
Ishmael carried on handing him the stones, and both of them were saying: "0
our Lord ! Accept (this service) of us, verily, You are the All-Hearer, the
All Knower." Surah 2: 127 (Surahs are "Chapters" in the Qur'an)
Abraham and Ishmael (PBUT) - the Sacrifice
Allah the Almighty told us of Abraham's affliction with his beloved son: And
he said (after his rescue from the fire): "Verily, I am going to my Lord. He
will guide me! My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous." So We gave
him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy. And, when he (his son) was old
enough to walk with him, he said: "0 my son! I have seen in a dream that I am
slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look whatdo you
think!" He said: "0 my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha' Allah
(if Allah wills), you shall find me of the patient."
Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah) and he
had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for
slaughtering); and We called out to him: "0 Abraham! You have fulfilled the
dream (vision)!" Verily! Thus do We reward those who perform good deeds
totally for Allah's sake only. Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial - and
We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. a ram); and We left for him (a
goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times. "Salaamun
(peace) be upon Abraham!" Thus indeed do We reward the Muhsineen
(good-doers). Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves. Surah 37:99-111 (Surahs are "Chapters" in the Qur'an)
Time passed. One day Abraham was sitting outside his tent, thinking of his
son Ishmael and Allah's sacrifice. His heart was filled with awe and love for
Allah for His countless blessings. A big tear dropped from his eyes and
reminded him of Ishmael.
Tidings of Issac
In the meantime, three angels descended to the earth: Gabriel, Israphael, and
Michael. They came in human shape and saluted Abraham. Abraham arose and
welcomed them. He took them inside his tent, thinking they were strangers and
guests. He seated them and made sure that they were comfortable, then excused
himself to go to his people.
His wife Sarah arose when he entered. She had become old and white-haired.
Abraham said to her: "We have three strangers in the house." "Who are they?"
she asked. "I do not know any of them," he answered. "What food have we got?"
Abraham asked. "Half a sheep," she replied. "Half a sheep! Slaughter a fat
calf for them; they are strangers and guests," he ordered while leaving.
The servants roasted and served a calf. Abraham invited the angels to eat,
and he started eating so as to encourage them. He continued, but when he
glanced at his guests to assure they were eating, he noticed that none of
them had touched the food. He said to them: "Are you not going to eat?" He
resumed eating, but when he glanced at them again he found that they were
still not eating. Their hands did not reach out for the food. He began to
fear them.
Abraham's fears increased. The angels, however, were reading his inner
thoughts and one of them said: "Do not fear." Abraham raised his head and
replied: "Indeed, I am in fear. I have asked you to eat food, but you do not
stretch out your hands to eat. Do you intend me evil?"
One of the angels smiled and said: "We do not eat. We are Allah's angels."
One of them then turned towards his wife and conveyed the glad tidings about
Isaac (Ishaaq).
Tidings of Isaac - Qur'anic
Almighty Allah revealed: And verily, there came Our Messengers to Abraham
with glad tidings. They said: "Salaam (greetings or peace)!" He answered:
"Salaam (greetings or peace)" and he hastened to entertain them with a
roasted calf. But when he saw their hands went not towards it (the meal), he
felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: "Fear
not, we have been sent against the people of Lot." And his wife was standing
(there), and she laughed (either, because the Messengers did not eat their
food or for being glad for the destruction of the people of Lot). But We gave
her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob.
She said (in astonishment): "Woe unto me! Shall I bear a child while I am an
old woman, and here is my husband, an old man? Verily! This is a strange
thing!" They said: "Do you wonder at the Decree of Allah? The Mercy of Allah
and His Blessings be on you, 0 the family (of Abraham). Surely, He (Allah) is
All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious." Surah 11: 69-73 (Surahs are "Chapters" in the Qur'an)
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Commentaries
