Prophet Ismail (A.S):

Prophet Ismail (A.S):
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Abraham (AS) went to Egypt with his wife, Sara. The king of Egypt fell in love with her. Abraham (AS) wanted to divorce his wife, marry her to the king, and use her to give dawah to him. Sarah prayed to Allah (SWT) so that she doesn't marry the kaafir. The king stretched his hand to touch Sarah and Sarah made a dua against him. He did this again and his hand became stiff a second time. He called her a devil woman and gave her Hajar (RAA) as a gift. Sarah couldn't bare children. She gave Hajar (RAA) to Abraham (AS) for marriage.

Hajar (RAA) was able to bear him a son, Ismail (AS). This made Sarah jealous. Hajar (RAA) was able to give Abraham (AS) a child but Sarah wasn't. Sarah said to take Hajar (RAA) and her son away from her because she doesn't want to see them.

One day, Abraham woke up and told his wife, Hajar (RAA) to prepare for a long journey. Ibn Abbas (RA) said the first person to wear a girdle was Hajar (RAA) to erase her footsteps so that Sarah would be unable to find her. Sarah was enraged with jealousy; she even said she'd cut up Hajar's (RAA) face.

Ismail (AS) was still young when they set off to travel; the child was still suckling. Abraham (AS) travelled to a land, which was uncultivated in the Arabian Peninsula.

This land has no fruit trees. There was no water or food. The valley had no sign of life. Abraham (AS) got his family to dismount and left them with two days of ration He left them with TWO days of food and water in a valley, which had no sign of life. He turned around and walked away. His wife, Hajar (RAA) hurried behind him and asked if he's leaving them behind in an uncultivated area

Abraham (AS) didn't answer. She asked if Allah (SWT) commanded him to do this. Abraham (AS) said yes When Hajar heard Abraham (AS) say yes, she said then Allah (SWT) will never leave them to get lost. Then Abraham (AS) made a dua.

This famous dua can be found in Surah 14:37-38.

"O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka'bah at Makkah); in order, O our Lord, that they may perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks. "O our Lord! Certainly, You know what we conceal and what we reveal. Nothing on the earth or in the heaven is hidden from Allah.

(Ibrahim 14:37-38)

When Abraham (AS) left his family there, the kaba wasn't built yet but Abraham (AS) knew the position of it. He left Hajar (RAA) and Ismail (AS) at that spot. Hajar (RAA) continued to drink from the water she had and she was suckling her baby. The water ran out so her and her child was suffering from severe thirst. Ismail (AS) was twisting and tossing. This caused Hajar to panic. She looked to see if there was a traveller passing by. She ran between the two hills of safa and marwah seven times.

Allah (SWT) spoke about safa and marwah in Surah Al Baqarah: verse 158.

Verily! As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who perform Hajj or 'Umrah (pilgrimage) of the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is All-Recogniser, All-Knower.

(Al-Baqarah 2:158)

Running between Safa and Marwah is called Sai. When Hajar (RAA) reached Mount Safa, she saw an angel. The angel dug up the earth and a spring came out of it. Hajar was very happy when she saw the water.

Prophet (saws) added, "May Allah bestow Mercy on Ishmael's mother! Had she let the Zamzam (flow without trying to control it) (or had she not scooped from that water) (to fill her water-skin), Zamzam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth." The Prophet (ﷺ) further added, "Then she drank (water) and suckled her child. The angel said to her, 'Don't be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah which will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people.'

[Sahih Al Bukhari 4: book 55 hadith 583, Riyadh us-Saliheen]

Abraham said, 'O Ishmael! Allah has given me an order.' Ishmael said, 'Do what your Lord has ordered you to do.' Abraham asked, 'Will you help me?' Ishmael said, 'I will help you.' Abraham said, Allah has ordered me to build a house here,' pointing to a hillock higher than the land surrounding it." The Prophet added, "Then they raised the foundations of the House (i.e. the Ka'ba). Ishmael brought the stones and Abraham was building, and when the walls became high, Ishmael brought this stone and put it for Abraham who stood over it and carried on building, while Ishmael was handing him the stones, and both of them were saying, 'O our Lord! Accept (this service) from us, Verily, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.' The Prophet added, "Then both of them went on building and going round the Ka'ba saying: "O our Lord ! Accept (this service) from us, Verily, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." (Al Baqarah 2:127)

(Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Prophets, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 583)"

If Hajar left the water to flow freely and didn't put stones around it to contain it, Zamzam would have been a flowing stream.

Suwaid bin Saeed reported: "When the water of Zam-Zam was brought to Abdullah bin al-Mubarak I saw that he drank a little, then turning his face towards the Ka'bah supplicated, 'O Allah! Ibn Abi Al-Mawali told us on the authority of Muhammad bin Al-Munkadir, who narrated from Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "The water of Zam-Zam is good for whatever one intends (while drinking it)." I intend to drink this water to spare myself from going thirsty on the Day of Judgment.' Then he drank the rest of the water."

[Al-Bayhaqi in ‘Shu'ab al-Eman’ (6/30) No. 3833 and al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi in 'Tarikh Baghdad' (11/400) No. 3362]

Abu Dharr (RA) was in Makkah and all he lived on was water yet he was able to gain weight.

"Drinking one's fill of Zamzam water is a sign of being free of hypocrisy."

[Mawdoo (Fabricated), Silsilah-Daeefah No. 2682]

The above-mentioned hadith was classified as fabricated.

Abdullah b. Samit reported that Abu Dharr said: We set out from our tribe Ghafir who look upon the prohibited months as permissible months. I came to Zamzarn and washed blood from me and drank water from it and listen, O son of my brother, I stayed there for thirty nights or days and there was no food for me but the water of Zamzarn. And I became so bulky that there appeared wrinkles upon my stomach, and I did not feel any hunger in my stomach. It was during this time that the people of Mecca slept in the moonlit night and none was there to circumambulator the House

{Sahih Muslim book 31 chapter 28 6046}

Hajar (RAA) drank water and suckled her baby.

Narrated ibn Abbas: Prophet (saws) added, "May Allah bestow Mercy on Ishmael's mother! Had she let the Zamzam (flow without trying to control it) (or had she not scooped from that water) (to fill her water-skin), Zamzam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth." The Prophet (ﷺ) further added, "Then she drank (water) and suckled her child. The angel said to her, 'Don't be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah which will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people.'

[Sahih Al Bukhari 4: book 55 hadith 583, & Riyadh us-Saliheen]

The angel told her not to fear being neglected. The angel said the house of Allah (SWT) would be built by Ismail. She continued to live by herself in the valley with her son until some people came by from the tribe of Jurhum. They came to the valley where Hajar was. They had seen birds flying around in the sky; this is what led them to the valley. They knew the birds were hovering over water so they went there. They asked Hajar (RAA) if they could live there. She said yes but she said they have no authority over the water. This shows that Hajar (RAA) was not a woman of weak personality. She was Egyptian; Egyptian women don't have weak personalities. The mother of the Arabs was from Egypt. Jurhum agree to the deal and stayed there with Hajar (RAA) and Ismail (AS). Hajar (RAA) was happy about the companionship. The tribe found living in Makkah agreeable so they sent for the rest of their tribe members to join them. When Ismail (AS) was able to walk, his father Abraham (AS) saw in a dream that he offered Ismail (AS) as a human sacrifice.

And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha' Allah (if Allah will), you shall find me of As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.)." Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering); And We called out to him: "O Abraham! You have fulfilled the dream (vision)!" Verily! Thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - see V.2:112). Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial

(As-Saffat 37:102-106)

And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. - a ram); And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times. Salamun (peace) be upon Ibrahim (Abraham)!" Thus indeed do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - see V.2:112). Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.

(As-Saffat 37:107-111)

The dream of a prophet is wahi (revelation). To make the slaughtering easier, Ismail (AS) was put to lie on his belly. Ismail (AS) was exchanged for a lamb and a lamb was sacrificed. When Abraham (AS)was about to sacrifice Ismail (AS), the shaitan came to him in the form of a woman and asked how he could sacrifice his only son.

Abraham (AS) stoned her. When you go to Eid and you sacrifice an animal, you are commemorating the sacrificial son, Ismail (AS). Seven people can put the name down for sacrifice (pay) for a cow. One person can put the name for sacrifice (pay) for a lamb or sheep. This is a very important moment. The Jews claim the sacrificial son was Ishaq (AS). This is a lie of the Jews. Ismail (AS) is the father of the Arabs and Ishaq (AS) is the father of the Jews. It is because of this, the Jews say Ishaq (AS) was the sacrificial son.

And verily, there came Our Messengers to Ibrahim (Abraham) with glad tidings. They said: Salam (greetings or peace!) He answered, Salam (greetings or peace!) and he hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. But when he saw their hands went not towards it (the meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: "Fear not, we have been sent against the people of Lout (Lot)." And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed (either, because the Messengers did not eat their food or for being glad for the destruction of the people of Lout (Lot). But We gave her glad tidings of Ishaque (Isaac), and after him, of Ya'qub (Jacob). She said (in astonishment) : "Woe unto me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman, and here is my husband, an old man? Verily! This is a strange thing!" They said: "Do you wonder at the Decree of Allah? The Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be on you, O the family [of Ibrahim (Abraham)]. Surely, He (Allah) is All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious."

(Hud 11:63-73)

When the angels came to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, they passed by Abraham (AS). They had good news and bad news for him and they gave the good news first.

Abu Shurayh Khuwaylid ibn 'Amr al-Khuza'i said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW), say, 'Anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day should honour his guest as his due.' They said, 'What is his due, Messenger of Allah?' He said, 'A day and a night. Hospitality is for three days, and what is beyond that is sadaqa for him.'"

[Al-Bukhari (6019) and Muslim (48)]

The angel said that Sodom and Gomorrah is going to be destroyed and they said that Sara will conceive a child. Lut (AS) was the nephew of Abraham (AS) so Abraham (AS) was worried about him because he was in Sodom and Gomorrah. When Ismail (AS) reached puberty, he married one of the girls from Jurhum. Ismail (AS) lived with the people who came from Yemen and he spoke Arabic. They taught him Arabic. Abraham (AS) was a prophet, Ismail (AS) was a prophet, Ishaq (AS) was a prophet and Jacob (AS) was a prophet of Allah (SWT). After Hajar (RAA) died, Ibrahim (AS) came back to visit his son. Abraham (AS) went to Ismail's house. Ismail (AS) was not at home but his wife was.

He had gone out for searching for livelihood. Abraham (AS) asked her how life was?

She said: life is tough, we are living in poverty and destitution and things don't seem to be getting any better. Abraham (AS) "said tell your husband when he comes home assalamu alaikum and tell him to change the threshold of his door. When Ismail (AS) returned home, he noticed that his wife was behaving funny so he asked her if they had any guests. She said an old man came to the house, who was handsome. Ismail (AS) asked if he left a message.

His wife told her what he said. Ismail said: that was my father and he has commanded me (Ismail) to divorce my wife so he sent her home. His wife was the threshold that Abraham (AS) asked Ismail (AS) to get rid of so Ismail (AS) divorced her. Ismail (AS) got married to another girl from the same tribe. Abraham (AS) came to check on his son again and Ismail (AS) was not at home. Abraham (AS) asked Ismail's (AS) wife how life is. She said Alhamdulillah. She said she drinks water and eats meat. Abraham (AS) told her to give Ismail (AS) salaam and to tell him to keep his threshold.

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The first lady to use a girdle was the mother of Ishmael...

{Sahih al-Bukhari 3364 & Sahih Al Bukhari Vol. 4, Book 55, Hadith 583}

When Ismail (AS) returned home, he noticed, his wife was behaving funny. He asked her if they had any guests. She said an old man came and she told him what he said. Ismail (AS) said that was my father and you are the threshold and he has commanded me to keep you; so I will keep you. Some people use this as evidence to say that if your parents want you to divorce someone, you should. This is not correct because some parents are racist.

The Prophet (saws) added, "If somebody has only these two things (water and meat) as his sustenance, his health and disposition will be badly affected, unless he lives in Makkah."

[Sahih Bukhari]

This diet (eating meat and drinking water alone) is only suitable in Makkah. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Abraham (AS) came back to Makkah and found Ismail (AS) sharpening his arrows for hunting. He was sitting by the Zamzam.

He greeted his son. Abraham (AS) told Ismail that Allah (SWT) has commanded them to do something. That thing is to build the kabah. Like a dutiful son, he told his father to do what Allah (SWT) has commanded him to do. Abraham (AS) stood at a place to build the kabah and it is called maqam ibrahim. Umar asked for that place to be a place of prayer and Allah (SWT) agreed with him. Ismail (AS) carried the stones while Abraham (AS) stacked the stones to build the kabah.

And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) and (his son) Isma'il (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), (saying), "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower."

(Al-Baqarah 2:127)

While they were building the kabah, they continuously made dhikr. When the kabah was completed, Abraham (AS) made the following duas:

And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said, "My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." He (Allah) answered: "As for him who disbelieves, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the torment of the Fire, and worst indeed is that destination!"

(Al-Baqarah 2:126)

There is no doubt that Allah (SWT) has already answered the dua of Abraham (AS) to make Makkah a place of security. In Surah, Quraish Allah (SWT) reminded them that they are safe.

for the taming of the Quraish, the (Quraish) caravans to set forth safe in winter (to the south), and in summer (to the north without any fear), the Lord of this House (the Ka'bah in Makkah). Who has fed them against hunger, and has made them safe from fear.

(Quraish 106:1-4)

No earthquakes and hurricanes take place in Makkah. The Dajjal cannot enter Makkah.

Have they not seen that We have made (Makkah) a sanctuary secure, and that men are being snatched away from all around them? Then do they believe in Batil (falsehood - polytheism, idols and all deities other than Allah), and deny (become ingrate for) the Graces of Allah?

(Al-'Ankabut 29:67)

Natural disasters don't happen in Makkah. People are being snatched away in other cities but not in Makkah. Makkah has been made a safe sanctuary. Allah (SWT) swears by the fig, the olive, Mount Sinai and Makkah.

By the fig, and the olive, By Mount Sinai, And by this city of security (Makkah),

(At-Tin 95:1-3)

The other dua of Abraham (AS) after building the kabah was for Allah (SWT) to bless the bloodline of Ismail (AS).

"Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage - Hajj and 'Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.

(Al-Baqarah 2:128)

This is the bloodline of the Arabs. Expect the Arabs to gravitate towards Islam more than Jews because Ismail (AS) is the father of the Arabs. When the Jews were told to do Jihad, they said you and your Lord go and fight to Moses. When the Prophet (SAWS) was marching towards Badr, the sahabas said they will not say to him what the Jews said to Moses.

Narrated By Abdullah (bin Masud): On the day of Badr, Al-Miqdad said, "O Allah's Apostle! We do not say to you as the children of Israel said to Moses, 'Go you and your Lord and fight you two; we are sitting here, (5.24) but (we say). "Proceed, and we are with you." That seemed to delight Allah's Apostle greatly.

[Sahih Bukhari, Vol 6, Book 60, Hadith #133]

Expect the Arabs to be superior to the Jews because Abraham (AS) begged Allah (SWT) to bless the bloodline of Ismail (AS).

"Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allah answered their invocation by sending Muhammad Peace be upon him ), who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur'an) and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islamic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophet hood, etc.), and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."

(Al-Baqarah 2:129)

This is another dua of Abraham (AS). The coming of Muhammad (SAWS) is all because Allah (SWT) answered the dua of Abraham (AS) to send a messenger from amongst them. The coming of Muhammad is all because Allah (SWT) answered the dua of Abraham (AS) to send a messenger from amongst them (the Arabs in Makkah). Abraham (AS) made this dua after building the kabah.

The only way Islam can spread is by sacrifice. So, we commemorate Ismail as the sacrificial son when we celebrate Eid ul Adha.

And Almighty Allah Knows Best..