Lessons from story of Prophet Ismail: Prophet Ismail (A.S.) is a noble Prophet mentioned in the Quran and an ancestor of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW). He was the son of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and his story has special implications in the lives of Muslims.
For another prophet’s story, read these lessons from the story of Prophet Lut (AS).
He constructed Kaaba along with his father on ALLAH’s command and was ready to sacrifice his life in the way of ALLAH. Thus, we as Muslims can learn some great lessons and virtues from the Prophet’s life. So, let’s get started.
What Lessons Can We Learn From Story of Prophet Ismail?
The Quran describes him as truthful to his promise, a messenger and a prophet (19:54-55), and his life is a beacon of light for us. The 5 major life lessons are listed below:
5 – Always Obey Your Parents
The Prophet’s life shows that one must surrender to the parent’s commandments. This can lead to several benefits. For instance:
- It makes your life better (if ALLAH wills). You must obey your parents as they are more experienced than you. They can guide you in attaining a better life.
- Dutifulness to parents is among the greatest deeds, and the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned that a parent is the middle gate of Paradise (Tirmidhi).
- It is a way of paying back whatever good they did to you when you were small.
Prophet Ismail (A.S.) obeyed his father (Prophet Ibrahim A.S.), even when he was being ordered to sacrifice his life. Moreover, according to a report in Sahih al-Bukhari, when Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) advised him to “change the threshold of his door” (a hint to separate from his first wife), he divorced her. (Obedience to parents is within what is good; it is not a general ruling that parents may order a divorce, and scholars differ on such situations.) Afterward, he got a religious wife who became the coolness of his eyes.
Point to Ponder: Always, obey your parents so that you can be rewarded by ALLAH (SWT). Here are 50 Beautiful Islamic Quotes on Parents with Images.
4 – Be Patient
The second lesson learned from the Prophet’s life is to have patience and firm belief in ALLAH ALMIGHTY. When he was ordered to be sacrificed; he endured patience and did not take it to heart. He had a firm belief in ALLAH ALMIGHTY that because of this patience he will be rewarded. He was ordered to be sacrificed at quite young but the Prophet did not lose hope and instead kept a strong belief in ALLAH ALMIGHTY.
The rewards and benefits of patience and having firm belief are manifold. For instance:
- They teach us to remain steadfast even when calamity happens.
- One realizes that this life is temporary and the hereafter is a better place to live in.
- This life is a test; so, one must remain steadfast to attain a higher rank in Jannah.
- The patient and the firm believer will earn great rewards in this life and the hereafter.
- Patience and firm belief teach us to be hopeful in every situation.
Point to Ponder: We must keep ourselves patient in every good and bad situation. And even when calamity strikes us; we must not lose hope in ALLAH ALMIGHTY.
Also see the duas of the Prophets. Do review these Beautiful Islamic Quotes on Patience.
3 – Practice What You Preach
The Prophet’s life also teaches us to spread the message of Islam with full zeal and enthusiasm. The Prophet first practiced the religion by himself and then guided his relatives and the people of his nation on this path.
According to the Quran, he used to enjoin prayer and zakat upon his family (19:55). Scholars mention that he was sent to the tribes of Arabia, though the details come from historical reports, not the Quran or authentic hadith.
Practicing and calling to Islam also nurtures the soul (see manners of Prophet Muhammad). For instance:
- One strives for a healthy way of life by balancing work-life conflict.
- The Nafs and ego get into control and people strive for their spiritual well-being.
- People lose interest in worldly and materialistic things which are all temporary.
- One feels satisfied by guiding people towards the path of ALLAH.
Point to Ponder: One must practice and preach religion to become a better person every day. One must also become a beacon of light in another’s life to guide him/her towards the path of ALLAH.
2 – Choose a Religious Spouse
Another great lesson that we learn from the Prophet’s life is to marry a religious person. A religious person will lead a simple life without any complaint and will surrender to ALLAH ALMIGHTY. It also teaches us that it’s not compulsory to find the best spouse in your first marriage. We may find the best spouse afterward. Prophet Ismail (A.S.) married a young girl from the Jurhum tribe. But she was not a pious person and deviated from the teachings of Islam. The Prophet’s father ordered him to divorce her and marry a pious person. So, the Prophet Ismail (A.S.) married for the second time and got an extraordinary spouse who had a firm belief in ALLAH ALMIGHTY. She was God-fearing and thanked ALLAH for everything. Even in little; she was ecstatic with her husband.
It is good to marry a religious person because of the following benefits:
- First, a religious person is good in character which in turn saves you from many societal evils.
- He/she knows how to fulfil promises and commitments.
- The religious man or woman fears ALLAH and will never harm you or your family.
Point to Ponder: The Prophet’s life enlightens us to marry a good person in religion. Doing so will help to create and revive our bond with ALLAH (SWT).
1 – Always Keep Your Promises
Another lesson from the Prophet’s life is to learn the virtue of keeping our promises. The Prophet took his promises seriously and never broke them. For example, once he (A.S.) decided to meet a person, they determined a specific time and place. Though the man did not come, the story is told that he waited a long time out of loyalty to his word. This account is not found in the Quran or authentic hadith, so treat it as a reminder only; what is established is that the Quran praises him as “true to his promise” (19:54).
Point to Ponder: These days as a society; we take help from false practices even when we commit something. Therefore, we must avoid breaking our promises and keep them as much as we can. We must give due attention to the virtues of the Prophet Ismail (A.S.) to become a better and pious Muslim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Prophet Ismail (AS)?
He was the son of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Hajar, a prophet and messenger praised in the Quran for being true to his promise and patient (19:54, 21:85). He helped his father raise the foundations of the Kaaba (2:127).
What is the connection between Ismail (AS) and Eid ul Adha?
Qurbani commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) to submit to Allah’s command, after which Allah ransomed Ismail with a great sacrifice (37:102-107). See Eid ul Adha and Qurbani rules.
Which son was offered for sacrifice?
Most scholars, including many early authorities, hold that it was Ismail (AS), while a minority view names Ishaq (AS). The Quran does not name him in that passage, so scholars differ.
How is Ismail (AS) linked to Zamzam and Hajj?
According to authentic reports in Sahih al-Bukhari, Zamzam sprang up for Hajar and the infant Ismail, and rituals like Sa’i recall Hajar’s search for water. See Zamzam water benefits.
Does the story teach absolute obedience to parents?
It teaches submission to Allah and respect for parents, but obedience is limited to what is permissible. For personal family matters, consult a qualified scholar.