Who is Allah?

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An acacia tree in a dry desert valley

God hears

Ishmael

(peace be upon him)
יִשְׁמָעֵאלإسماعيلYishmaʿel · Ismāʿīl

Abraham's firstborn, a spring in the desert, and the House at Makkah.

▶ Watch the three tellingsc. 2000–1700 BCE · as tradition places it
Stand-in photograph: Pedronet · CC BY 2.0

The name in three scripts

HebrewיִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaʿel“God hears”
GreekἸσμαήλIsmaēlGreek
ArabicإسماعيلIsmāʿīlcalled Ṣādiq al-Waʿd, “true to his promise”

One-minute snapshot

In a minute

c. 2000–1700 BCERead time 1 min
TorahGospelQur'an

Ishmael was Abraham (peace be upon him)'s firstborn son, by Hagar. His name means “God hears”, and in Genesis God hears the boy crying in the desert and promises to make him a great nation. In Islamic tradition Ishmael and his mother are settled in the valley of Makkah, where the spring of Zamzam appears, and he helps his father build the Ka'bah. Muslims honour him as a prophet and an ancestor of the Arabs and of Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him). Jews and Christians remember him as a son blessed by God.

Watch

Three traditions, three films

Each told by its own community, in its own words, side by side. More on F-ILM.

A Jewish telling

Parshat Vayeira: Hagar and IshmaelBimBam · 4 min Shows prophets (a film-maker's portrayal)BimBam: Hagar and Ishmael in Parashat Vayeira.

A Christian telling

Hagar in the WildernessBibleProject · 1 min Shows prophets (a film-maker's portrayal)BibleProject: Hagar in the wilderness, 'the God who sees'.

A Muslim telling

Episode 7: When the House of Allah Was Built | A Voice in the DesertYaqeen Institute · 7 minYaqeen, A Voice in the Desert ep 7: Abraham and Ishmael build the House.

Side by side

Three tellings

Quotations: Torah and Hebrew Bible, JPS 1917 · New Testament, World English Bible (British Edition) · Qur'an, Pickthall (1930). Translations and sources

Hebrew Bible · Torah

In Jewish tradition's own words.

  • Hagar flees and meets an angel at a spring; Ishmael is born.
  • He is circumcised with Abraham at thirteen.
  • Hagar and the boy are sent away; God hears and shows her a well.
  • He grows up in the wilderness of Paran, an archer, and with Isaac buries Abraham.
“And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her: ‘What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him fast by thy hand; for I will make him a great nation.’”Genesis 21:17–18 · JPS 1917

The Talmud reads Genesis 25:9, where Isaac and Ishmael bury their father together, as a sign that Ishmael repented in Abraham's lifetime (Bava Batra 16b). Some midrash is harsher.

Key passages: Genesis 16; 17:18–26; 21:8–21; 25:9, 12–18

Is this how your tradition would say it? Tell us →

The Christian telling

In Christian tradition's own words.

  • Ishmael appears in Paul's letter to the Galatians, in an allegory of two covenants.
  • The allegory is about slavery and freedom in faith, not a judgement on any people.
“For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman.”Galatians 4:22 · WEB (British Edition)

Key passages: Galatians 4:21–31

Is this how your tradition would say it? Tell us →

The Qur'an

In Islamic tradition's own words.

  • Ishmael (peace be upon him) is “a keeper of his promise”, a messenger and a prophet.
  • With Abraham (peace be upon him) he raises the foundations of the House at Makkah.
  • He is most commonly understood as the son of the sacrifice (37:101–107).
  • He is counted among the steadfast and the chosen.
“And make mention in the Scripture of Ishmael. Lo! he was a keeper of his promise, and he was a messenger (of Allah), a prophet.”Qur'an 19:54 · Pickthall (1930)

The long hadith of Hagar running between Safa and Marwa until Zamzam springs up is in Bukhari 3364.

The low semicircular wall beside the Ka'bah is called Ḥijr Ismāʿīl (peace be upon him).

Key passages: Qur'an 2:125–129; 2:133; 14:37; 19:54–55; 21:85; 37:101–107; 38:48

Read the passages Hebrew Bible · Torah · 3

Genesis 25:9 · Hebrew Bible · JPS 1917

9

וַיִּקְבְּרוּ אֹתוֹ יִצְחָק וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל בָּנָיו אֶל־מְעָרַת הַמַּכְפֵּלָה אֶל־שְׂדֵה עֶפְרֹן בֶּן־צֹחַר הַחִתִּי אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי מַמְרֵא׃

And Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;

Genesis 17:18–26 · Hebrew Bible · JPS 1917

18

וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָהָם אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים לוּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל יִחְיֶה לְפָנֶיךָ׃

And Abraham said unto God: ‘Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee! ’

19

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֲבָל שָׂרָה אִשְׁתְּךָ יֹלֶדֶת לְךָ בֵּן וְקָרָאתָ אֶת־שְׁמוֹ יִצְחָק וַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶת־בְּרִיתִי אִתּוֹ לִבְרִית עוֹלָם לְזַרְעוֹ אַחֲרָיו׃

And God said: ‘‘Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.

20

וּלְיִשְׁמָעֵאל שְׁמַעְתִּיךָ הִנֵּה בֵּרַכְתִּי אֹתוֹ וְהִפְרֵיתִי אֹתוֹ וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֹתוֹ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂר נְשִׂיאִם יוֹלִיד וּנְתַתִּיו לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל׃

And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

21

וְאֶת־בְּרִיתִי אָקִים אֶת־יִצְחָק אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵד לְךָ שָׂרָה לַמּוֹעֵד הַזֶּה בַּשָּׁנָה הָאַחֶרֶת׃

But My covenant will I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.’

22

וַיְכַל לְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ וַיַּעַל אֱלֹהִים מֵעַל אַבְרָהָם׃

And He left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

23

וַיִּקַּח אַבְרָהָם אֶת־יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ וְאֵת כָּל־יְלִידֵי בֵיתוֹ וְאֵת כָּל־מִקְנַת כַּסְפּוֹ כָּל־זָכָר בְּאַנְשֵׁי בֵּית אַבְרָהָם וַיָּמָל אֶת־בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתָם בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אִתּוֹ אֱלֹהִים׃

And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

24

וְאַבְרָהָם בֶּן־תִּשְׁעִים וָתֵשַׁע שָׁנָה בְּהִמֹּלוֹ בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתוֹ׃

And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

25

וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ בֶּן־שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה בְּהִמֹּלוֹ אֵת בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתוֹ׃

And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

26

בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה נִמּוֹל אַבְרָהָם וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ׃

In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.

Genesis 21:8–21 · Hebrew Bible · JPS 1917

8

וַיִּגְדַּל הַיֶּלֶד וַיִּגָּמַל וַיַּעַשׂ אַבְרָהָם מִשְׁתֶּה גָדוֹל בְּיוֹם הִגָּמֵל אֶת־יִצְחָק׃

And the child grew, and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.

9

וַתֵּרֶא שָׂרָה אֶת־בֶּן־הָגָר הַמִּצְרִית אֲשֶׁר־יָלְדָה לְאַבְרָהָם מְצַחֵק׃

And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, making sport.

10

וַתֹּאמֶר לְאַבְרָהָם גָּרֵשׁ הָאָמָה הַזֹּאת וְאֶת־בְּנָהּ כִּי לֹא יִירַשׁ בֶּן־הָאָמָה הַזֹּאת עִם־בְּנִי עִם־יִצְחָק׃

Wherefore she said unto Abraham: ‘Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.’

11

וַיֵּרַע הַדָּבָר מְאֹד בְּעֵינֵי אַבְרָהָם עַל אוֹדֹת בְּנוֹ׃

And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son.

12

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־אַבְרָהָם אַל־יֵרַע בְּעֵינֶיךָ עַל־הַנַּעַר וְעַל־אֲמָתֶךָ כֹּל אֲשֶׁר תֹּאמַר אֵלֶיךָ שָׂרָה שְׁמַע בְּקֹלָהּ כִּי בְיִצְחָק יִקָּרֵא לְךָ זָרַע׃

And God said unto Abraham: ‘Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah saith unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall seed be called to thee.

13

וְגַם אֶת־בֶּן־הָאָמָה לְגוֹי אֲשִׂימֶנּוּ כִּי זַרְעֲךָ הוּא׃

And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.’

14

וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם בַּבֹּקֶר וַיִּקַּח־לֶחֶם וְחֵמַת מַיִם וַיִּתֵּן אֶל־הָגָר שָׂם עַל־שִׁכְמָהּ וְאֶת־הַיֶּלֶד וַיְשַׁלְּחֶהָ וַתֵּלֶךְ וַתֵּתַע בְּמִדְבַּר בְּאֵר שָׁבַע׃

And Abraham arose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away; and she departed, and strayed in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.

15

וַיִּכְלוּ הַמַּיִם מִן־הַחֵמֶת וַתַּשְׁלֵךְ אֶת־הַיֶּלֶד תַּחַת אַחַד הַשִּׂיחִם׃

And the water in the bottle was spent, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.

16

וַתֵּלֶךְ וַתֵּשֶׁב לָהּ מִנֶּגֶד הַרְחֵק כִּמְטַחֲוֵי קֶשֶׁת כִּי אָמְרָה אַל־אֶרְאֶה בְּמוֹת הַיָּלֶד וַתֵּשֶׁב מִנֶּגֶד וַתִּשָּׂא אֶת־קֹלָהּ וַתֵּבְךְּ׃

And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow-shot; for she said: ‘Let me not look upon the death of the child.’ And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.

17

וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹהִים אֶת־קוֹל הַנַּעַר וַיִּקְרָא מַלְאַךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶל־הָגָר מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם וַיֹּאמֶר לָהּ מַה־לָּךְ הָגָר אַל־תִּירְאִי כִּי־שָׁמַע אֱלֹהִים אֶל־קוֹל הַנַּעַר בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם׃

And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her: ‘What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

The passage continues; open it in the player or your own Bible or Qur'an.

Read the passages The Christian telling · 1

Galatians 4:21–31 · New Testament · WEB British Edition

21

Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law?

22

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman.

23

However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.

24

These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.

25

For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.

26

But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27

For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you who don’t travail. For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.”

28

Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

29

But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.

30

However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”

The passage continues; open it in the player or your own Bible or Qur'an.

Read the passages The Qur'an · 7

Qur'an 37:101–107 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

101

فَبَشَّرْنَٰهُ بِغُلَٰمٍ حَلِيمٍۢ

So We gave him tidings of a gentle son.

102

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ

And when (his son) was old enough to walk with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice thee. So look, what thinkest thou? He said: O my father! Do that which thou art commanded. Allah willing, thou shalt find me of the steadfast.

103

فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ

Then, when they had both surrendered (to Allah), and he had flung him down upon his face,

104

وَنَٰدَيْنَٰهُ أَن يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ

We called unto him: O Abraham!

105

قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ ٱلرُّءْيَآ ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

Thou hast already fulfilled the vision. Lo! thus do We reward the good.

106

إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْبَلَٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْمُبِينُ

Lo! that verily was a clear test.

107

وَفَدَيْنَٰهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍۢ

Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim.

Qur'an 2:125–129 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

125

وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا ٱلْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًۭا وَٱتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَٰهِۦمَ مُصَلًّۭى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِۦمَ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْعَٰكِفِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ

And when We made the House (at Makka) a resort for mankind and sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place where Abraham stood (to pray). And We imposed a duty upon Abraham and Ishmael, (saying): Purify My house for those who go around and those who meditate therein and those who bow down and prostrate themselves (in worship).

126

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْ هَٰذَا بَلَدًا ءَامِنًۭا وَٱرْزُقْ أَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ مِنْهُم بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۖ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُۥ قَلِيلًۭا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُۥٓ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

And when Abraham prayed: My Lord! Make this a region of security and bestow upon its people fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day, He answered: As for him who disbelieveth, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the doom of Fire - a hapless journey's end!

127

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House, (Abraham prayed): Our Lord! Accept from us (this duty). Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower.

128

رَبَّنَا وَٱجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَآ أُمَّةًۭ مُّسْلِمَةًۭ لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

Our Lord! And make us submissive unto Thee and of our seed a nation submissive unto Thee, and show us our ways of worship, and relent toward us. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Relenting, the Merciful.

129

رَبَّنَا وَٱبْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًۭا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

Our Lord! And raise up in their midst a messenger from among them who shall recite unto them Thy revelations, and shall instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and shall make them grow. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Mighty, Wise.

Qur'an 2:133 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

133

أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَآءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ ٱلْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنۢ بَعْدِى قَالُوا۟ نَعْبُدُ إِلَٰهَكَ وَإِلَٰهَ ءَابَآئِكَ إِبْرَٰهِۦمَ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَٰقَ إِلَٰهًۭا وَٰحِدًۭا وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ

Or were ye present when death came to Jacob, when he said unto his sons: What will ye worship after me? They said: We shall worship thy god, the god of thy fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac, One God, and unto Him we have surrendered.

Qur'an 14:37 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

37

رَّبَّنَآ إِنِّىٓ أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِى بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِى زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ ٱلْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱجْعَلْ أَفْـِٔدَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ تَهْوِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ وَٱرْزُقْهُم مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ

Our Lord! Lo! I have settled some of my posterity in an uncultivable valley near unto Thy holy House, our Lord! that they may establish proper worship; so incline some hearts of men that they may yearn toward them, and provide Thou them with fruits in order that they may be thankful.

Qur'an 19:54–55 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

54

وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِسْمَٰعِيلَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًۭا نَّبِيًّۭا

And make mention in the Scripture of Ishmael. Lo! he was a keeper of his promise, and he was a messenger (of Allah), a prophet.

55

وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرْضِيًّۭا

He enjoined upon his people worship and almsgiving, and was acceptable in the sight of his Lord.

Qur'an 21:85 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

85

وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا ٱلْكِفْلِ ۖ كُلٌّۭ مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ

And (mention) Ishmael, and Idris, and Dhu'l-Kifl. All were of the steadfast.

Qur'an 38:48 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

48

وَٱذْكُرْ إِسْمَٰعِيلَ وَٱلْيَسَعَ وَذَا ٱلْكِفْلِ ۖ وَكُلٌّۭ مِّنَ ٱلْأَخْيَارِ

And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha and Dhu'l-Kifl. All are of the chosen.

Common ground

Where they agree

  • Abraham (peace be upon him)'s son through Hagar.
  • God heard him and blessed him.
  • He would become a great nation.
  • He stood with Abraham (peace be upon him): at the burial in Genesis, at the House in the Qur'an.

Said plainly, ranked never

Where they differ

  • He is a prophet in Islam, not in the Bible.
  • Genesis places him in Paran (Sinai and the Negev); Islamic tradition, in Makkah.
  • Which son at the sacrifice: Isaac (peace be upon him) in Genesis; most later Muslim opinion says Ishmael (peace be upon him), and early scholars held both views.
  • Paul's allegory has no counterpart in the other traditions.

Era and place

The world of Ishmael

Where
Beersheba → the wilderness of Paran → (in Islamic tradition) the valley of Makkah.
When
Early in the 2nd millennium BCE, with Abraham (peace be upon him).
What archaeology can and cannot say
The Qedarites, often linked with Kedar, Ishmael (peace be upon him)'s son, appear in Assyrian records from the 8th century BCE as an Arabian tribal confederation. There is no direct evidence of Ishmael himself.

Gallery

The world of Ishmael

A bare desert valley in southern Jordan, near the wilderness of Paran
A bare desert valley in southern Jordan, near the wilderness of ParanThe Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Wadi Rum, twiga_swala, CC BY-SA 2.0
Desert and mountains in Arabia
Desert and mountains in ArabiaDESERT AND MOUNTAINS ..., mrbill78636, CC BY 2.0
Tents pitched in the desert at dusk
Tents pitched in the desert at duskBedouin Camp in the Sahara, jonl1973, CC BY-SA 2.0
A composite bow with arrows: Ishmael “became an archer” (Genesis 21:20)
A composite bow with arrows: Ishmael “became an archer” (Genesis 21:20)Composite Bow with Forty Arrows, themet, CC0 1.0

Go deeper

Go deeper

The stories
Midrash and Jewish tradition

Bava Batra 16b and Rashi on Genesis 25:9 read the shared burial of Abraham (peace be upon him) as a reconciliation. The name itself, “God hears”, is given before his birth (Genesis 16:11).

Read the passages Genesis 25:9, Genesis 16:11

Genesis 25:9 · Hebrew Bible · JPS 1917

9

וַיִּקְבְּרוּ אֹתוֹ יִצְחָק וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל בָּנָיו אֶל־מְעָרַת הַמַּכְפֵּלָה אֶל־שְׂדֵה עֶפְרֹן בֶּן־צֹחַר הַחִתִּי אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי מַמְרֵא׃

And Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;

Genesis 16:11 · Hebrew Bible · JPS 1917

11

וַיֹּאמֶר לָהּ מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה הִנָּךְ הָרָה וְיֹלַדְתְּ בֵּן וְקָרָאת שְׁמוֹ יִשְׁמָעֵאל כִּי־שָׁמַע יְהוָה אֶל־עָנְיֵךְ׃

And the angel of the LORD said unto her: ‘Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son; and thou shalt call his name Ishmael, because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

Christian tradition

Galatians 4 uses Hagar and Sarah as figures of two covenants. Christian readers today stress that this is an argument about faith and law, not about Arabs or Muslims.

Tafsir and hadith

Ibn Kathir, on 2:127 and 14:37, tells of the valley with no crops, Hagar's trust, Zamzam, and father and son raising the House together. The saʿy of the Hajj retraces Hagar's search for water.

Read the passages Qur'an 2:127, Qur'an 14:37

Qur'an 2:127 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

127

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House, (Abraham prayed): Our Lord! Accept from us (this duty). Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower.

Qur'an 14:37 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

37

رَّبَّنَآ إِنِّىٓ أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِى بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِى زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ ٱلْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱجْعَلْ أَفْـِٔدَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ تَهْوِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ وَٱرْزُقْهُم مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ

Our Lord! Lo! I have settled some of my posterity in an uncultivable valley near unto Thy holy House, our Lord! that they may establish proper worship; so incline some hearts of men that they may yearn toward them, and provide Thou them with fruits in order that they may be thankful.

Sources and further reading
Picture credits

Watch more: Ishmael

6 films and talks, chosen for this page. They play here.

  • Episode 4: When Mecca Was Established | A Voice in the Desert

    Yaqeen Institute · 9 min

  • The Story of Hajar: Uncovering Certainty in Uncertainty - Sh. Omar Suleiman | Lecture

    Yaqeen Institute · 28 min

  • Hagar (as) – Abdal Hakim Murad: Paradigms of Leadership

    Cambridge Muslim College · 79 min

    Cambridge Muslim College: Abdal Hakim Murad on Hagar.

  • Parashat Lech-Lecha: Hagar | Weekly Torah Study with Rabbi Lauren Tuchman

    myjewishlearning · 27 min

  • Meditative Sermon: Sarah and Hagar - St Paul's Cathedral

    St Paul's Cathedral · 22 min

  • The Resilience of Lady Hagar l Hosai Mojaddidi l Zaytuna College

    Zaytuna College · 7 min

  • More films and talks on F-ILMWatch free