About
The son given to Ibrāhīm and Sārah as glad tidings in their old age, and himself a prophet. Through him came Yaʿqūb and the prophets of the Children of Israel.
The name
Traditionally linked to laughter — his mother laughed at the tidings of him (11:71).
A prophet from among the righteous (37:112)
Source: Tafsīr
The story, as the Qurʼan tells it
- The beginningBorn to Ibrāhīm and his wife in their old age, announced by the messengers who came to Ibrāhīm as guests.
11:69-73
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ بِٱلْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوا۟ سَلَٰمًۭا ۖ قَالَ سَلَٰمٌۭ ۖ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَآءَ بِعِجْلٍ حَنِيذٍۢ
51:28-30
فَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةًۭ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَا تَخَفْ ۖ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَٰمٍ عَلِيمٍۢ
- The signHis mother laughed in astonishment at the tidings, and was told it was Allah's decree.
11:71-73
وَٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ قَآئِمَةٌۭ فَضَحِكَتْ فَبَشَّرْنَٰهَا بِإِسْحَٰقَ وَمِن وَرَآءِ إِسْحَٰقَ يَعْقُوبَ
- The outcomeAllah gave the glad tidings of Isḥāq as a prophet among the righteous, and Yaʿqūb after him.
37:112-113
وَبَشَّرْنَٰهُ بِإِسْحَٰقَ نَبِيًّۭا مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
21:72
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةًۭ ۖ وَكُلًّۭا جَعَلْنَا صَٰلِحِينَ
The lessonAllah's promise is not bound by what seems possible; a child was given when hope had passed. 11:72-73
قَالَتْ يَٰوَيْلَتَىٰٓ ءَأَلِدُ وَأَنَا۠ عَجُوزٌۭ وَهَٰذَا بَعْلِى شَيْخًا ۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَشَىْءٌ عَجِيبٌۭ
15:53-55
قَالُوا۟ لَا تَوْجَلْ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَٰمٍ عَلِيمٍۢ
Relationships
FatherHis father
Motherper traditionHis mother
BrotherHis half-brother
SonHis son
Key appearances
Tap a reference to read the āyah — Arabic with English beneath.