The Account of Ishmael — peace be upon him

As we have already noted, the Friend of God, Abraham, had a number of sons, yet the most renowned among them were the two great prophet-messengers, the elder and more exalted of whom—according to the sounder view—was the intended sacrifice: Ishmael, Abraham’s firstborn, whom he begot from Hagar the Egyptian Copt, may Allah be pleased with her, as a gift from the Almighty, the Majestic.

Those who claim that the sacrificial son was Isaac have merely taken this view from transmitters among the Children of Israel who altered, distorted, and re-interpreted the Torah and the Gospel, contradicting even the revealed text still in their hands. Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his firstborn son—and in another wording, his only son. Whichever expression one adopts, the evidence points decisively to Ishmael. Their own scripture states that Ishmael was born when Abraham was eighty-six years old, whereas Isaac was not born until Abraham had reached one hundred. Ishmael is therefore unquestionably the firstborn, and in every respect the only son.

Outwardly he was the only son because he remained Abraham’s sole child for more than thirteen years; inwardly he was the only son because it was he whom his father carried off with his mother Hagar—while he was still a suckling—and placed them in the ravines of the mountains of Paran, the ranges encircling Mecca, that blessed resting place. He left them there with nothing but a little food and water, trusting wholly in Allah and relying on Him alone. Allah, Exalted be He, surrounded them with His care and sufficiency—how excellent is the Protector, the Guardian, the Trustee, the Guarantor! This, then, is the son who was ‘only’ in both appearance and reality. But who perceives this subtlety, and who attains this station? Only every discerning and noble soul can grasp its import.

Allah, Exalted is He, praised Ishmael and described him as forbearing, patient, truthful in promise, diligent in prayer, and one who enjoined it upon his household so that they might be spared punishment—while he called people to the worship of the Lord of lords.

Allah Most High says:
“Thus We gave him glad tidings of a forbearing son. And when he reached the age of walking with him, [Abraham] said, ‘My dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you, so consider what you think.’ He replied, ‘My father, do what you are commanded; you will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient.’” (al-Ṣāffāt 37:101–102)
He willingly obeyed his father in what he was summoned to, promised that he would be patient, and fulfilled that promise with unwavering patience.

The Almighty also says:
“And mention in the Book Ishmael: he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger, a prophet. He used to enjoin his family to prayer and almsgiving, and he was pleasing to his Lord.” (Maryam 19:54–55)

And He says:
“And remember Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—men of strength and insight. We purified them with a pure quality: the remembrance of the Abode. In Our sight they are indeed among the chosen, the excellent. And remember Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhul-Kifl; each is among the excellent.” (Ṣād 38:45–48)

And He says:
“And Ishmael, Enoch, and Dhul-Kifl—all were among the patient, and We admitted them into Our mercy; indeed, they were among the righteous.” (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:85–)