The baby of Zamzam, the son who said "do what you are commanded", the builder of the Ka'bah.
إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا
His story
He was a baby when his father left him and his mother Hajar in the empty valley of Makkah. His mother ran between Safa and Marwah looking for water, and the spring of Zamzam burst out Bukhari 3364.
When he was old enough to walk with his father, Ibrahim told him about his dream. His answer: "O my father, do what you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient" 37:102.
He raised the foundations of the Ka'bah with his father 2:127. He is praised for keeping his promises, and for telling his family to pray and give charity 19:54-55. From his line came Muhammad ﷺ.
Moments
- 01
Zamzam
Ibrahim left Hajar and the baby Isma'il in the empty valley. She ran after him: "Has Allah commanded you to do this?" He said yes. She said: "Then He will not abandon us." When the water ran out she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa, seven times, looking for anyone. Then an angel struck the ground and water gushed out: Zamzam. The Prophet ﷺ said: "May Allah have mercy on the mother of Isma'il."
- 02
"You will find me patient"
When his father told him about the dream, the boy did not run or argue. "My father, do what you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient." A son who made his father's hardest moment easier.
- 03
Building the House
Years later, father and son raised the foundations of the House together, stone by stone, praying as they built: "Our Lord, accept this from us." The first house of worship for people, built by a father and son who had both been tested.
What he did when…
His father was commanded to do the hardest thing a father can do. Isma'il did not make it harder. He made it easier: "My father, do what you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient." Being good to your parents includes helping them obey Allah.
Out of everything Allah could have said about Isma'il, He said: "He was true to his promise, and he was a messenger, a prophet." Keeping your word is not a small virtue. Allah chose it to introduce a prophet.
Allah tells us that Isma'il "used to command his family to pray and to give charity, and he was pleasing to his Lord." His work as a prophet started with the people at his own table.
If your child carries this name
إسماعيل Isma'il
Isma'il means "Allah hears". A child named Isma'il should be known for one thing above all: when he promises, he keeps it.
Sources on this page
Quran 2:127Quran 19:54Quran 19:55Quran 37:102Sahih al-Bukhari 3364
Quran meanings are given in plain English, close to the Arabic. Hadith numbers follow sunnah.com.