From Ismāʿīl to Muḥammad ﷺ · 1 of 8The son of Ibrāhīm who raised the Kaʿbah with him; the Arabs of the north trace themselves to him.
About
The patient son of Ibrāhīm, who submitted to the command of sacrifice and was ransomed by Allah. With his father he raised the Kaʿbah. Tradition names him the forefather of the Arabs and the ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The name
Traditionally understood as "Allah hears" — given in answer to his father's prayer (37:100-101).
True to his promise (19:54); al-Dhabīḥ, the one offered (tradition)
Source: Tafsīr
The story, as the Qurʼan tells it
- The beginningThe son given to Ibrāhīm in answer to his prayer for a righteous child.
37:100-101
رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
- The callHe commanded his household to prayer and almsgiving, and was pleasing to his Lord.
19:55
وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرْضِيًّۭا
- The signWith his father he raised the foundations of the Kaʿbah, praying that Allah accept it.
2:127-129
وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
- The testTold of the vision of his sacrifice, he answered: 'Do what you are commanded; you will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient.'
37:102-107
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ
- The outcomeThe Qurʼan calls him true to his promise, a messenger and a prophet.
19:54
وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِسْمَٰعِيلَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًۭا نَّبِيًّۭا
The lessonSubmission to Allah is a son's answer as much as a father's; both are honoured for it. 37:103-105
فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ
Relationships
FatherHis father
Motherper traditionHis mother
BrotherHis half-brother
Descendantper traditionHis descendant, through whom the Prophet's ﷺ line runs, by tradition
Key appearances
Tap a reference to read the āyah — Arabic with English beneath.