Ismail and Ishaq: Who Was Slaughtered?

Ismail and Ishaq: Who Was Slaughtered? ~ Hi all readers! In this article, I will discuss a topic that has been a subject of conversation for a long time, especially between Muslims and Jews. However, many people still do not know about it, or they may know, but their understanding is based on limited information. The topic I mean is about who was the son of Prophet Abraham that was slaughtered. We all know that the Prophet Abraham received a revelation to sacrifice his son.

Before I answer the question above, I will quote Syibli an-Nu'mani's statement in Daairatu a-Ma'aarif fii Siirati an-Nabiy (Shallallaahu Alaihi wa Sallam). He says:

In the Torah, it is explained that the first child of Prophet Abraham by Hajar was named Ismail. After that, Sarah gave birth to a child for Abraham, who was later named Ishaq. When Ismail grew up, Sarah saw that Ismail would have a negative influence on Ishaq. She said to Abraham, "Take Hajar and her son away from home!" Ismail was born when Abraham was 86 years old. When Abraham circumcised him, Ismail was 13 years old, and Abraham was 99 years old.

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There is no difference of opinion between the Qur'an and the Torah regarding what Abraham did after Sarah made this request. Abraham sent Hajar and Ismail away from home. The difference lies in the details of how they were sent away. The Torah and the Qur'an also do not differ regarding the nature of the area where they settled after leaving the house: a barren desert. Allah says in the Quran (relating Abraham's prayer):

رَّبَّنَآ إِنِّيٓ أَسۡكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيۡرِ ذِي زَرۡعٍ عِندَ بَيۡتِكَ ٱلۡمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱجۡعَلۡ أَفۡ‍ِٔدَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ تَهۡوِيٓ إِلَيۡهِمۡ وَٱرۡزُقۡهُم مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَشۡكُرُونَ ٣٧

"O our Lord! Surely, I have settled a part of my offspring in a valley unproductive of fruit near Thy Sacred House. Our Lord! that they may keep up prayer; therefore, make the hearts of some people yearn towards them and provide them with fruits; haply they may be grateful." (Ibrahim [14]; 37).

There are some important points we need to consider regarding our discussion:

1. In accordance with Shari'a in the past, the animals or firstborn children were used as sacrifices.
2. The primacy of the firstborn child cannot be overlooked under any circumstances.
3. Ismail was Abraham's first child, while Ishaq was his second.
4. Abraham left all his inheritance to Ishaq, while Ismail and his mother received only a bag of water.
5. The term used for slaughter and sacrifice in the Abrahamic religions was applied by Abraham in reference to Ismail, not Ishaq.
6. Ismail was the child most loved by Abraham, as he was born in response to Abraham's prayer, while Ishaq was born due to Allah's promise.
7. In the Torah, it is explained that when Allah gave Abraham the good news of Ishaq's birth, He also conveyed the joyful message that He would make Ishaq's descendants an eternal nation.
8. The Torah also mentions that when Allah informed Abraham about Ishaq's birth, Abraham remarked, "If only Ismail could live before you."

Dear readers! If we reflect on these important points, we can conclude that the son of Prophet Abraham who was sacrificed was Prophet Ismail, not Prophet Ishaq. When Prophet Abraham conveyed the order to Prophet Ismail, he responded, as explained in the Qur'an:

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعۡيَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَيَّ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰ فِي ٱلۡمَنَامِ أَنِّيٓ أَذۡبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرۡ مَاذَا تَرَىٰۚ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُۖ سَتَجِدُنِيٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٠٢

"And when he attained to working with him, he said: O my son! Surely, I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you; consider then what you see. He said: O my father! Do what you are commanded; if Allah pleases, you will find me among the patient ones." (Ash-Shaffaat [37]; 102).

Dear readers! That is a brief explanation of Ismail and Ishaq: who was slaughtered? If you would like to comment, please do! Let's engage in a dialogue!

I believe that is enough for this article. May it be beneficial! Ameen!

See you again in the next article!