The Sacrifice of Ismail by His Father Ibrahim (Alayhi As-Salam): An Example of Surrender for Today's Children and Parents

Abstract

Ismail (Ishmael) is the son of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Alayhi As-Salam [AS]), born from his wife, Hajar (Hagar).1 In the Quran, Ismail is mentioned with features such as a docile boy, faithful to his word, patient, surrendering, pleasing in the sight of Allah, commanding salah and zakat, a resul, and a nabi.2,3However, the Quran rejects the belief that Ismail, like Ibrahim, Ishaq (Isaac), Yakub (Jacob), and the Tribes is also Jewish or Christian.4 The story of Ibrahim (AS) sacrificing his son is described in surah As-Saffat of the Quran.3 Herein, we discuss the story of Ismail’s sacrifice by his father from Islamic perspective to draw attention to the importance of spirituality for children with neuromuscular disorders followed in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and their parents. Ibrahim (AS) saw in his dream that he sacrificed his 7year-old son Ismail. He had this dream three nights (tarwiyah, arafah, and eid-al-adha nights) in a row. Dreams of prophets are revelation. So, it was an order of Allah that had to be fulfilled.5,6 He said to Ismail: “My chuck! Take a rope and a big knife. Then, let’s go to the Sabir mountain.” (Also known as Jabal Umm Şabir, this mountain is in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.)7 He never spoke of what his Lord had commanded him. The following conversation took place between Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail on Sabir mountain6: