Prophet Ishmael (Ismael), son of Prophet Ibrahim, is honored in Islam for his obedience to Allah, helping build the Kaaba, and his role in Hajj rituals. His life symbolizes faith, patience, and devotion in monotheism.
Ishmael is mentioned in Qur’an, as an important figure with crucial, inspirational situations in his life.
As we are talking here about Ishmael (Prophet Ismael), the son of Prophet Ibrahim, particularly in Islam, then, let’s see some of what the Qur’an mentions about him, as that defines his true role to the Muslims:
Ishmael in Islam Religion:
Prophet Ishmael (Ismael) holds a revered status in Islam as the eldest son of Prophet Ibrahim and a prophet in his own right. His life exemplifies submission to Allah’s will, from his role in the story of sacrifice to his steadfast faith during trials. When left with his mother, Hajar, in the barren valley of Makkah, Ishmael became central to Allah’s miraculous gift of Zamzam water. This act of divine mercy, alongside Hajar’s unwavering trust, is commemorated by Muslims during Hajj through the ritual of walking between Safa and Marwa.
Additionally, Ishmael played a significant role in building the Kaaba with Prophet Ibrahim, laying its foundations as a sanctuary for monotheism and prayer. The Qur’an highlights their devotion and prayers for future generations to remain guided by the message of submission to Allah. Ishmael’s story continues to inspire Muslims with lessons of patience, obedience, and enduring faith in Allah’s wisdom.
Ishmael is the Forbearing Son of Prophet Ibrahim:
Prophet Ibrahim was married to Sarah, getting old without having children at first, and then, he married Hajar, and had Ismael, after asking Allah for granting him a righteous offspring:
[My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous. So, We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy.]
So, Ismael was the eldest son of Prophet Ibrahim, who was then blessed with Isaac, from his wife, Sarah, later; both of them were honorable prophets in Islam. Ibrahim was grateful to Allah for both:
[Praise to Allāh, who has granted to me in old age Ishmael and Isaac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication.]
Ishmael is A Prophet, and A Messenger:
Besides his being a son to a prophet, Ismael, himself, was also a prophet, and a messenger of monotheism -the essence of all scriptures sent- (believing in Allah as The One and Only God), as this is the one divine message delivered by all prophets and messengers, throughout all times:
[And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.]
Ishmael’s Relation to Zamzam Water, Safa, and Marwa:
As known, Ismael was the blessing Allah gave Ibrahim, responding to his heartfelt supplication for righteous offspring. Also, Ibrahim’s deep love to his dear son Ismael was tested by Allah, the Almighty; Ibrahim was asked to leave his wife Hajar, with their baby Ismael, in a desert land.
Ibrahim was certain of Allah’s wisdom behind that command, and did as asked, supplicating Allah for His grace and mercy for them both:
[Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley 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 might be grateful.]
Meanwhile, when Hajar’s supplies of food and water ran out, she didn’t give up; she was a true believer of Allah, too; therefore, she kept walking and running seven times between the Safa and Marwa in Makkah, searching for any water for her and her child, Ismael, with faithful hope and trust in Allah’s wisdom and mercy.
Her constant, sincere seeking was rewarded by Allah, by sending Angel Jibril to her, to show her the non-stop well of Zamzam water which is Allah’s gift to her seeking, response to her husband’s supplication, and a blessing for her baby Ismael, and all those coming after him, till this moment!
Not only that, but also Allah made her hopeful, consistent seeking one of the pillars of hajj (pilgrimage) that all Muslims perform that ritual, recalling her persistence, and determination, along with her genuine hope, and utter trust in Allah’s grace:
[Indeed, aṣ-Ṣafā and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allāh. So whoever makes ḥajj [pilgrimage] to the House or performs ʿumrah – there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allāh is Appreciative3 and Knowing.]
Ishmael and the Sacrifice: the Obedient Son, and the Steadfast Believer:
Ismael was so well-raised, and gifted with the unique morals of the prophets, especially those of obedience, steadfastness and patience. That was crystal clear in the story of his father’s dream of sacrificing him.
That story actually highlights such a faithful patience of both the father Ibrahim and the son Ismael, and their utter submission to Allah’s will and wisdom, with unwavering trust and devotion. The story is simply mentioned in the Qur’an:
[And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.” He said, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allāh wills, of the steadfast. And when they had both submitted1 and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Abraham, You have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice, And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations.]
This sacrifice of the dearest was such a hard test for both Ibrahim and Ismael; however, they passed it successfully due to their faithful submission to their Lord. In turn, Allah did not only spare them this sacrifice of Ismael, but also mentioned them with honor, and commemorated their sincere submission by the sacrificing-ritual in hajj performed by all Muslims, till the Judgment Day.
Ishmael and the Building of Ka’ba:
Allah the Almighty commanded Ibrahim and his son Ismael to raise the foundations of His House (Ka’ba) – the destination place for returning in submission to Allah- and to prepare it for all believers to pray and worship their Lord, The One and Only, there.
Both Ibrahim and Ismael obeyed their Lord and helped each other for building up Ka’ba to make it that high and ready: Ibrahim was the one putting the building-stones in order, and Ismael was the one helping him, and handing him those stones.
While doing what they were commanded, they kept supplicating Allah with deep faith and hope to preserve this sacred place for the coming believers, and to send a messenger to those following them to re-guide them to the right path of true submission to Allah, the Only God- that is the essence of all divine messages, including Islam:
[And [mention] when We made the House [i.e., the Kaʿbah] a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], “Purify My House for those who perform ṭawāf1 and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].]
[And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], “Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing,1 the Knowing. Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites [of worship] and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful. Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.]
Conclusion:
Prophet Ishmael (Ismael), the son of Prophet Ibrahim, is a central figure in Islam, known for his unwavering faith and obedience to Allah. He was part of significant events, including the miraculous gift of Zamzam water in Makkah and helping Ibrahim build the Kaaba as a sanctuary for worship.
Celebrated for his role in the sacrifice story and his steadfast character, Ishmael’s life teaches Muslims lessons of trust, patience, and devotion, with his legacy honored through Hajj rituals and his contributions to the foundation of monotheism.
