View source for Ishmael (prophet)

{{Infobox Prophet
 | title        = 
 | width          = 
 | image       = 
 | image_width  = 
 | caption     = 
 | prophet_info= Prophet Information
 | name_in_quran = Ishmael
 | name_in_bible =
 | place_of_birth = 
 | place_of_residence = Mecca
 | burial_place = Hijr Isma'il
 | nation_name = 
 | preceded_by=[[Isaac (prophet)|Isaac]]
 | succeeded_by = [[Abraham (prophet)|Abraham]]
 | book_name =
 | important_relatives = Abraham (father), [[Hagar]](mother), [[Isaac]](brother)
 | miracles = Zamzam Well
 | contemporary_prophets = Abraham
 | followers = People of Mecca
 | religion = Hanif
 | age = 
 | time_period = 
 | name_repetitions_in_quran = 12 times
 | opponents=
 | important_events= Abraham commanded to sacrifice him, rebuilding of the Kaaba, learning Hajj rituals from Gabriel
}}
'''Ishmael''' is one of God's prophets, the son of [[Abraham (prophet)|Abraham]] and Hagar. According to Shi'ites, he is Dhubihullah, the son whom Abraham was commanded to [[sacrifice]] to God. The Quran explicitly states his prophethood and praises him for qualities such as forbearance, keeping promises, and humility before divine verses.

According to Muslim scholars, the water of Zamzam flowed from the ground when Ishmael rubbed his foot as an infant, leading to the prosperity of [[Mecca]]. He assisted his father Abraham in rebuilding and purifying the [[Kaaba]] and, in addition to being the custodian of the Kaaba, performed the Hajj rituals every year. He is buried in [[Hijr Isma'il]] next to his mother [[Hagar]]'s tomb.

== Birth and Life ==
[[Abraham (prophet)|Abraham]] asked God for a righteous child, and God gave him the good news of the birth of a forbearing son.<ref>Surah As-Saffat, verses 97 to 101.</ref> Quranic exegetes have identified this son as Ishmael, whose mother was [[Hagar]].<ref>Tafsir Mujahid, p. 543; Majma' al-Bayan, vol. 8, p. 322; Al-Safi, vol. 4, p. 276.</ref>

Hagar was an Egyptian slave of Sarah, Abraham's first wife. Sarah, due to her barrenness, gave Hagar to Abraham and suggested<ref>Bible, Genesis, 16, 1 and 2; Tarikh Ya'qubi, vol. 1, p. 25</ref> that Abraham marry Hagar.<ref>Bible, Genesis, 15 and 16; Tarikh Ya'qubi, vol. 1, p. 25; Qamus Kitab Muqaddas, p. 73.</ref>

Verse 39 of Surah Ibrahim considers Ishmael's birth a gift from God to Abraham in his old age. According to historians, Hagar and Ishmael settled in Mecca near the House of God.<ref>Tarikh Ya'qubi, vol. 1, p. 25; Tarikh Tabari, vol. 1, p. 255; Al-Kamil, vol. 1, p. 103.</ref> The Holy Quran explicitly reports this.<ref>Surah Ibrahim: verse 37.</ref> Ishmael married a girl from the [[Jurhum tribe]].<ref>Tarikh Ya'qubi, vol. 1, p. 27; Tarikh Tabari, vol. 1, p. 189; Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, vol. 1, p. 5; Al-Aghani, vol. 15, p. 11.</ref>

According to the popular view, Ishmael was buried in [[Hijr Isma'il]], next to the Kaaba, under the spout, and next to his mother's tomb.<ref>Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Hisham, vol. 1, p. 5; Tarikh Ya'qubi, vol. 1, p. 222; Tarikh Tabari, vol. 1, p. 314.</ref> Some have also stated his burial place to be next to [[Hajar al-Aswad]].<ref>Muruj al-Dhahab, vol. 1, p. 75.</ref>

== Prophethood of Ishmael ==
Ishmael's name is mentioned 12 times in the Quran.<ref>For example: verses 125, 127, 133, 136, 140 of Surah Al-Baqarah; verse 84 of Surah Al Imran and verse 163 of Surah An-Nisa.</ref> The Quran calls him one of God's prophets and, by mentioning his name alongside several prophets, speaks of the revelation descending upon him.<ref>Surah An-Nisa: verse 163.</ref> According to Alusi, one of the Quranic exegetes, in verse 54 of Surah Maryam, Ishmael is called a messenger and prophet with greater clarity.<ref>Ruh al-Ma'ani, vol. 12, p. 122.</ref>

In addition to prophethood, the Quran praises Ishmael for qualities such as forbearance,<ref>Surah As-Saffat: verse 101.</ref> patience,<ref>Surah Al-Anbiya: verse 85.</ref> keeping promises,<ref>Surah Maryam: verse 54.</ref> and humility and awe before divine verses.<ref>Surah Maryam: verses 54–58.</ref>

The Quran describes Ishmael as righteous, beloved by God, blessed with guidance and special divine mercy,<ref>Surah Al-An'am: verses 86–90; Surah Maryam: verses 54–58; Surah Al-Anbiya: verses 85–86.</ref> and among the good.<ref>Surah Sad: verse 48.</ref> It also speaks of his superiority among the worlds.<ref>Surah Al-An'am: verse 86.</ref>

== Sacrifice of Ishmael ==
[[File:اسماعیل (پیامبر).jpg|thumb|Painting by Master Farshchian of the sacrifice of Ishmael]]
{{Main|Sacrifice of Ishmael}}
According to the Quran, when Abraham's son reached adolescence, Abraham dreamt that he was slaughtering him. He asked his son's opinion on the matter. The son urged his father to carry out the divine command and promised patience and forbearance.<ref>Surah As-Saffat: verse 102.</ref>

The Quran, without going into the details of this event, only reports its important parts<ref>Tafsir Qummi, vol. 1, p. 61; Majma' al-Bayan, vol. 11, p. 389; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 12, p. 125.</ref> and does not specify which of Abraham's sons would be sacrificed. Therefore, there is a difference of opinion between Shi'ites and Sunnis as to whether the sacrificed individual (Dhubih) was Ishmael or Isaac.

According to all Shi'ite exegetes<ref>Al-Tibyan, vol. 8, p. 518; Majma' al-Bayan, vol. 8, p. 322; Al-Mizan, vol. 7, p. 232.</ref> and some Sunni exegetes,<ref>Jami' al-Bayan, vol. 23, p. 100; Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, vol. 26, p. 158; Tafsir Baydawi, vol. 5, pp. 20 and 21; Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. 4, p. 16; Adwa' al-Bayan, vol. 6, p. 318.</ref> Ishmael was the one to be sacrificed. However, some other Sunni exegetes,<ref>Tafsir Mujahid, vol. 2, p. 543; Tafsir Muqatil, vol. 3, p. 104; Tarikh Tabari, vol. 1, p. 263.</ref> in accordance with the biblical account,<ref>Bible, Genesis, 22, 2 and 13.</ref> have considered Isaac to be the sacrificed one. The Prophet (PBUH) in a narration referred to himself as the son of two (sacrificed individuals, meaning) Dhubih, referring to Ishmael and his own father [[Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib|Abdullah]].<ref>Majma' al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, vol. 8, p. 707.</ref>

== Ishmael's Role in the Origin and Development of Mecca ==
Historians<ref>Al-Kamil, vol. 1, pp. 103-105; Tarikh Ibn Khaldun, vol. 1, p. 350; Qisas al-Anbiya, Jazairi, p. 142.</ref> and most exegetes<ref>Jami' al-Bayan, vol. 13, pp. 300-302; Majma' al-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 389; Al-Mizan, vol. 1, p. 388.</ref> link the emergence of [[Zamzam]], the gathering of tribes around it, and the prosperity and development of Mecca to Hagar and Ishmael's settlement near the Kaaba, under verse 37 of Surah Ibrahim. According to Tabari, Hagar and Ishmael lived in [[Hijr Isma'il]].<ref>Jami' al-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 762.</ref> In a narration attributed to [[Imam Sadiq (A.S.)]], Hijr Isma'il is identified as their home.<ref>Al-Kafi, vol. 4, p. 210; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 12, p. 117.</ref>

According to Muslim scholars, the water of Zamzam flowed from the ground when Ishmael rubbed his foot, which is one of Ishmael's irhasat.<ref>Al-Kafi, vol. 4, p. 202; Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, vol. 19, p. 136; Al-Khara'ij wa al-Jara'ih, vol. 2, p. 930.</ref> Irhas is a supernatural event that occurs before a prophet's prophethood and is connected to him.<ref>Ja'fari, Tafsir Kawthar, 1377 SH, vol. 3, p. 300.</ref> Based on this, Zamzam has also been called "Ishmael's Well."<ref>Tarikh Tabari, vol. 2, p. 255; Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Hisham, vol. 1, p. 97.</ref> With the emergence of the Zamzam spring, caravans stopped there, and several tribes gathered around it.<ref>Al-Kafi, vol. 4, p. 202.</ref> A number of scholars, referring to the geographical location and lack of water in that area,<ref>Jami' al-Bayan, vol. 13, p. 301; Majma' al-Bayan, vol. 6, p. 84.</ref> have attributed the pleasantness and abundance of Zamzam water to the gathering of the [[Jurhum tribe]] and the emergence of the city of Mecca.<ref>Mu'jam al-Buldan, vol. 3, p. 148.</ref>

== Ishmael and the Building of the Kaaba ==
The Quran reports that Abraham, by divine command,<ref>Al-Kafi, vol. 4, p. 203.</ref> and with Ishmael's help, raised the foundations of the Kaaba and rebuilt it.<ref>Surah Al-Baqarah: verse 127.</ref> Muslim scholars believe that the Kaaba existed before Abraham, but its traces had largely disappeared, and Abraham rebuilt it.<ref>Al-Kafi, vol. 4, p. 203; Majma' al-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 388; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 12, pp. 93 and 94; Jami' al-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 249; Majma' al-Bayan, vol. 2, p. 382; Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, vol. 4, p. 57.</ref> In contrast, some exegetes believe that the Kaaba was first built by Abraham and Ishmael.<ref>Al-Tibyan, vol. 1, p. 262; Majma' al-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 387.</ref>

After the building of the Kaaba, Abraham and Ishmael were commanded to purify the House of God for those who circumambulate, those who reside there, those who bow, and those who prostrate.<ref>Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 125.</ref>
=== Ishmael and the Custodianship of the Kaaba ===
According to historical reports, Ishmael was responsible for the administration of the House of God until the end of his life. Based on a narration attributed to [[Imam Sadiq (A.S.)]], Ishmael was the first to cover the Kaaba with a curtain and to roof the Kaaba with wood and mud on wooden pillars. Also, the pilgrims, seeing the Kaaba being roofed, decided to help Ishmael. They brought [[sacrifice]]s with them, and Ishmael, with divine guidance, slaughtered the sacrifices and distributed them among the pilgrims.<ref>Al-Kafi, vol. 4, pp. 203-205; Ilal al-Shara'i, vol. 2, pp. 587-588; Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol. 13, pp. 210-212.</ref>

== Ishmael's Performance of Hajj ==
Abraham and Ishmael, during the construction of the Kaaba, asked God to show them how to worship and perform their rituals.<ref>Surah Al-Baqarah: verse 128.</ref> Exegetes have interpreted "rituals" as [[Hajj rituals]] such as [[Tawaf]], [[Sa'i|Sa'i between Safa and Marwa]], [[Wuquf in Arafat]], [[Ramy|Ramy al-Jamarat]], and similar acts, which God taught them.<ref>Jami' al-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 769; Al-Tibyan, vol. 1, pp. 464 and 465; Majma' al-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 392.</ref>

The apparent meaning of some verses refers to Abraham and Ishmael performing the Hajj rituals.<ref>Jami' al-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 769; Al-Tibyan, vol. 1, p. 464.</ref> Based on some narrations, in the first Hajj, Gabriel accompanied Abraham and Ishmael from the beginning to the end of the rituals and taught them each act of Hajj.<ref>Al-Kafi, vol. 4, p. 202; Ilal al-Shara'i, vol. 2, p. 587; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 12, pp. 93 and 96.</ref> According to Shi'ite hadith scholars, Ishmael also performed Hajj in subsequent years.<ref>Al-Kafi, vol. 4, pp. 203 and 205; Ilal al-Shara'i, vol. 2, pp. 587 and 588; Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol. 13, pp. 210 and 212.</ref>

== Role of Ishmael's Descendants in the History of the Kaaba ==
Ishmael was responsible for the development and administration of the [[Kaaba]] and the [[Hajj rituals]] until the end of his life. After him, his son took over Ishmael's responsibilities. The administration of the Kaaba throughout many periods of history was always entrusted to Ishmael's descendants, who inherited it generation after generation.<ref>Tarikh Ya'qubi, vol. 1, pp. 221-223; Al-Kamil, vol. 2, p. 42; Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Kathir, vol. 1, p. 57.</ref> In some periods, due to religious deviation and some conflicts, the custodianship was not in the hands of Ishmael's descendants.<ref>Al-Kafi, vol. 4, p. 21; Tarikh Ya'qubi, vol. 1, p. 241.</ref> The custodianship of the Kaaba was for a time in the hands of the [[Jurhum tribe]].<ref>Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, vol. 1, p. 111; Tarikh Ya'qubi, vol. 1, p. 222; Tarikh Tabari, vol. 2, p. 37; Akhbar Makkah, Azraqi, vol. 1, pp. 81-82.</ref> These positions remained in the hands of the [[Quraysh tribe]], who were descendants of Ishmael, until the time of [[Muhammad|Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)]].<ref>Futuh al-Sham, vol. 2, p. 141.</ref>
== Footnotes ==
{{Footnotes}}

== References ==
{{References}}
{{Attribution
| before_link = 
| source = Article "Ishmael" in Encyclopedia of Hajj
| link = https://hzrc.ac.ir/post/9077/%d8%a7%d8%b3%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%b9%d9%8a%d9%84-%d8%b9| source_description = 
}}
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{{End}}

{{Prophets}}

[[Category:Prophets in the Quran]]
[[Category:Burials in Hijr Isma'il]]
[[Category:Children of Abraham]]
[[Category:Articles ready for translation]]
[[Category:Completed articles]]

[[ar:إسماعيل (نبي)]]
[[fa:اسماعیل (پیامبر)]]