Ibrahim & Ismael

Story of Abraham

Abraham and Ismael (2)

Allah swt says in surah As-Saffat: “So We gave him the good news of a forbearing son. And when (his son) was old enough to help in his daily affairs, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. So look, what think you? He said: O my father! Do that which you are commanded. You shall find me of the patient.” (Quran 37:101-102)

That was a great test again for the Prophet Abraham, may Allah send His Peace and Blessing upon him. And a great test for his son Ismael.

Indeed if a person was told by their father that they were to be killed due to a dream, it would not be taken in the best of manners. One may doubt the dream as well as the sanity of the person, but Ismael knew the station of his father. The pious son of a pious father was committed to submit to Allah.

Abraham took his son to the place where he was to be sacrificed and laid him face down. For this reason, Allah swt has described them in the most beautiful of words, that paint a picture of the essence of submission; one which brings tears to the eyes: “And when they both submitted (to the command of God), and he (Abraham) laid him (Ishmael) face down upon his forehead (in order to be sacrificed.” (Quran 37:103)

Just as Abraham’s knife was poised to descend, a voice stopped him “We called to him: O Abraham: You have indeed fulfilled the vision. Lo! Thus do We reward the good. Lo! That verily was a clear test.” (Quran 37:104-106)

Indeed, it was the greatest test of all, the sacrificing of his only child, one born to him after he had reached an old age and years of longing for progeny. Here, the Prophet Abraham showed his willingness to sacrifice all his belongings for God, and for this reason, he was designated a leader of all humanity, one whom God blessed with a progeny of Prophets. “And when his God tested Abraham with various commands, and he proved true to each one. He (God) said, indeed I have made you a leader of humanity. He (Abraham) said (requesting of God), ‘and from my progeny.” (Quran 2:124)

“Ismael was ransomed with a ram, ‘and We redeemed him with a momentous sacrifice.” (Quran 37:107) It is this epitome of submission and trust in God which hundreds of millions of Muslims reenact every year during the days of Hajj, a day called Yawm-un-Nahr – The Day of Sacrifice, or Eid-ul-Adhaa – or the Celebration of Sacrifice.

Written by Shaykh Abou Abdel Rahman

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