Ismail’s Portrayal in the Qur’an

Introduction

In Bible Study, we are looking at Genesis, specifically, the chapters about Abraham, his two sons, and their mothers. Ishmael was the firstborn. His mother Hagar, an Egyptian slave, was handmaiden to Abraham’s wife, Sarah, who bore the second son, Isaac.

Ishmael plays a minor role in the Bible. I volunteered to examine Ishmael’s portrayal in the Qur’an. Please note the following:

1. Ishmael’s role is much more prominent.
2. His narrative has similarities and differences with the Bible. I point them out as applicable.
3. Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac are all revered as prophets, i.e., messengers of God (Allah).

Speaking of Allah, I will now use Arabic names to help readers become more familiar with them:

1. Abraham = Ibrahim.
2. Ishmael = Ismail.
3. Issac = Ishaq.
4. Hagar = Hajar.
5. Sarah’s name remains the same.

Here are the general themes of Ismail’s portrayal:

1. Devotion to Worship and Obedience.
2. Prophethood and Righteousness.
3. Blessings and Divine Favor.
4. Unity of Faith.
5. Legacy.

Devotion to Worship and Obedience

Ismail is portrayed as a devoted servant of Allah, assisting his father, Ibrahim, in acts of worship. For example:

Role in Rebuilding the Kaaba [8]

Ismail assisted Ibrahim in raising the foundations of the Kaaba in Makkah. Together, they prayed for Allah to accept their work and make their descendants submissive to Him [1][2].

And remember when We made the Sacred House a centre and a sanctuary for the people saying, “You may take the standing-place of Ibrahim as a site of prayer.” And We entrusted Ibrahim and Ismail to purify My House for those who circle it, who meditate in it, and who bow and prostrate themselves in prayer .

Qur’an 2:125

Discussion: The Kaaba is one of Islam’s most sacred structures. Its rebuilding by father and son is a significant part of Ismail’s narrative in Islamic tradition. It is not mentioned in the Bible.

The Sacrifice

Ismail’s obedience to Allah is further emphasized in the context of Ibrahim’s vision to sacrifice him, which he accepted willingly, demonstrating submission to God’s will (though this specific event is more detailed in Islamic tradition than explicitly in the Quran).

Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Ibrahim said, “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.” He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.”

Qur‘an 37:102

Discussion: In both the Bible and Qur’an, God commands Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience. The Bible identifies Ishaq explicitly as the son (Genesis 22). Islamic tradition identifies Ismail as the son, though he’s not explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an [7].

Hajar and Ismail in Mecca

Ibrahim was commanded by God to take Ismail and his mother, Hajar, to a barren valley which by Islamic tradition is Makkah (Mecca). 

O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Your Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular prayer. So fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.

Qur’an 14:37

After leaving them with few supplies, Ibrahim departed. Hajar’s search for water led to the miraculous emergence of the Zamzam spring, which sustained them. Though this specific episode is not detailed in the Qur‘an, it is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition [6]. For more information on the Zamzam spring see [3].

Discussion: The Bible places mother and son in Beer-sheba (Genesis 21).

Prophethood and Righteousness

The Qur‘an identifies Ismail as one of the prophets chosen by God for his patience, righteousness, and steadfastness.

And mention in the Book O Prophet, the story of Ismail. He was truly a man of his word, and was a messenger and a prophet.

Qur‘an 19:54

Also:

And remember Ismail, Enoch, and Ⱬul-Kifl. They were all steadfast.

Qur‘an 21:85

Discussion: Ismail is not considered a prophet in the Bible.

Blessings and Divine Favor

All praise is for Allah who has blessed me with Ismail and Ishaq in my old age. My Lord is indeed the Hearer of all prayers.

Qur‘an 14:39

Unity of Faith

Ismail is frequently mentioned alongside other patriarchs like Ibrahim, Ishaq and Yaqub (Jacob) as part of the monotheistic tradition. This highlights the unity of faith among prophets and their shared mission to guide humanity.

Or did you witness when death came to Yaqub? He asked his children, “Who will you worship after my passing?” They replied, “We will continue to worship your God, the God of your forefathers—Ibrahim, Ismail, and Ishaq—the One God. And to Him we all submit”.

Qur‘an 2:133

Legacy

Ismail is regarded as an ancestor of Prophet Muhammad and a forefather of many Arab ethnic groups. His life exemplifies faithfulness and submission to God’s will. The Qur‘an honors him as someone who fulfilled his promises and was devoted to prayer and charity.

And mention in the Book O Prophet, the story of Ismail. He was truly a man of his word, and was a messenger and a prophet.

Qur‘an 19:54

Discussion: Ismail is acknowledged as the father of a great nation in both traditions. The Bible states he will father twelve princes (Genesis 17:20), while Islamic tradition links him to Arab ancestry and the Prophet Muhammad [4][5].

Final Comments

The Bible is the primary sacred text of Judaism and Christianity. The Qur‘an is the same for Islam. It is not surprising that Ishaq, the father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, has a more prominent role in the Bible than Ismail. Likewise, Ismail, the father of the Arab nations, is given a much more elevated status in the Qur‘an.

Sources

1. The word Ismail mentioned in Quran – The Last Dialogue https://www.thelastdialogue.org/article/the-word-ismail-mentioned-in-quran/
2. Ismail in the Quran: Ibrahim’s Elder Son and Prophet of God – Islam4U https://islam4u.pro/blog/ismail-in-the-quran/
3. Wikipedia contributors, “Zamzam Well,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zamzam_Well&oldid=1273822402 (accessed February 15, 2025).
4. deClaissé-Walford, S.G “Ishmael, The Qur’ān, And The Bible,” Acta Theologica, 39(Suppl. 27), 148-164, 2019,  https://doi.org/10.18820/23099089/actat.sup27.9.
5. “Conflicting Narratives: A Comparative Analysis of Ishmael in the Bible and Qur‘an,” كلّنا | Kulna: For All of Us, May 2, 2011, https://kulna.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/conflicting-narrativesa-comparative-analysis-of-ishmael-in-the-bible-and-Qur‘an/.
6. Muhammad Saed Abdul-Rahman, “Islam: Questions and Answers, Volume 1, Basic Tenets of Faith: Belief, Part 1,” MSA Publication Limited. p. 305. ISBN 1-86179-080-5, (2003). 
7. Mirza, Younus Y. 2013. “Ishmael as Abraham’s Sacrifice: Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn Kathīr on the Intended Victim.” Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations 24 (3): 277–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/09596410.2013.786339.
8. Wikipedia contributors, “Kaaba,”  Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kaaba&oldid=1275521386 (accessed February 20, 2025).