Moreover, it states that He said to Abraham:

“Sacrifice your son, your only son.”

In another translation: “Your firstborn.” Ishmael was his only son and his firstborn, as Muslims and the People of the Book agree. However, the People of the Book altered the text by adding Isaac’s name. Those who took this from them transmitted it, and the belief that it was Isaac spread among some Muslims. Its origin lies in the textual distortion by the People of the Book.

Further evidence that it was Ishmael is the account of the son to be sacrificed in Surah al-Sāffāt. Allah Most High says:

“So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy.”

These good tidings contained three assurances: that the child would be a boy, that he would reach puberty, and that he would be forbearing. What forbearance could be greater than his when his father told him of the sacrifice and he replied:

“You will find me, if Allah wills, among the steadfast”?

It has been said that no quality is used less frequently by Allah to describe the prophets than forbearance, because it is so rarely found. He did describe Abraham with it in His words:

“Indeed, Abraham was tender-hearted and forbearing.”

“Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, tender-hearted, and ever turning to Allah.”

For this event attested to the forbearance of them both:

“When he was old enough to work alongside him, he said, ‘My son, I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you, so consider what you think.’ He replied, ‘My father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the steadfast.’”

—up to His words—

“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.”

“And We left this tribute to him among later generations.”

“Peace be upon Abraham.”

“Thus do We reward those who do good.”

“Indeed, he was one of Our believing servants.”

“And We gave him good tidings of Isaac, a prophet among the righteous.”

“And We blessed him and Isaac. Among their descendants are those who do good and those who clearly wrong themselves.”

This account indicates that it was Ishmael in several ways:

• (First: He gave him good tidings of the son to be sacrificed and related his story first. Once He had completed that account, He said: