THE STORY OF THE PROPHET ISHMAEL (AND PROPHET ABRAHAM) - Tests for Abraham and Ishmael (Sacrifice of Prophet Ishmael)

Surah Ash-Shaffat verses 100-101:

رَبِّ هَبۡ لِي مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ  ١٠٠ فَبَشَّرۡنَٰهُ بِغُلَٰمٍ حَلِيمٖ  ١٠١

100.  My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous."

101.  So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy.

Prophet Abraham had not met Hajar and Ishmael for a long time. The last time they separated in the barren desert, Hajar and Ishmael were left there. Prophet Abraham felt like meeting them.

Every time he sent an envoy to see the conditions of Hajar and Ishmael, the Prophet Abraham was relieved. The envoys gave word that Hajar and Ishmael were in good condition. Hajar and Ishmael were considered as owners and leaders in Mecca, because they were the first to find the source of water and settled there.

Prophet Abraham was eager to meet Hajar and Ishmael. Finally Prophet Abraham left for Mecca and met with Hajar and Ishmael in the Arafat land. The child and his wife are grazing quite a lot of livestock. Prophet Abraham was happy and grateful, it turned out that Hajar and Ishmael lived well and enough.

On the way to Mecca, the they rested first at Muzdalifah because of exhaustion. Prophet Abraham was tired after traveling a long distance from Palestine to Mecca. Prophet Abraham slept soundly. In his sleep Prophet Abraham received revelation through dreams. He received orders from Allah SWT to slaughter his son Ishmael. Ishmael must be sacrificed as proof of Prophet Abraham's obedience to Allah SWT.

When awakened Prophet Abraham thought about his dream. This time the test is really heavy. Prophet Abraham had to do that to Ishmael who he loved so much, but Prophet Abraham had to do that command because of his love of Allah SWT. Prophet Abraham strengthened his heart and told Ishmael his dream that he was ordered by Allah SWT to slaughter Ishmael. Prophet Abraham asked for the opinion of Ishmael. Ishmael firmly replied that his father had to do God's command and Ishmael stated that he was sincere.

Surah Ash-Shaffat verse 102:

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعۡيَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَيَّ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰ فِي ٱلۡمَنَامِ أَنِّيٓ أَذۡبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرۡ مَاذَا تَرَىٰۚ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُۖ سَتَجِدُنِيٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ  ١٠٢

102.  And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast."

It is said that Satan repeatedly persuaded Prophet Abraham and Ishmael not to carry out the order. The devil tried to persuade them three times, but Prophet Abraham (and Ishmael) took gravel from the ground and threw it at the devil every time he persuaded. The devil left and this is the origin of the jumroh throwing in the pilgrimage. Prophet Abraham and Ishmael still obeyed Allah's commands. The devil is unable to persuade them.

Prophet Abraham took Ishmael up the hill. A sharp sword was prepared. The sword was directed towards Ishmael's neck. When the sword almost touched Ishmael's neck, suddenly Ishmael's body was replaced by a fat and big goat. This is indeed the will and power of Allah and the Angel Gabriel who did it. Ishmael was not slaughtered and saved.

Surah Ash-Shaffat verses 103-107:

فَلَمَّآ أَسۡلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلۡجَبِينِ  ١٠٣ وَنَٰدَيۡنَٰهُ أَن يَٰٓإِبۡرَٰهِيمُ  ١٠٤ قَدۡ صَدَّقۡتَ ٱلرُّءۡيَآۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ  ١٠٥ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلۡبَلَٰٓؤُاْ ٱلۡمُبِينُ  ١٠٦ وَفَدَيۡنَٰهُ بِذِبۡحٍ عَظِيمٖ  ١٠٧

103.  And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead,

104.  We called to him, "O Abraham,

105.  You have fulfilled the vision." Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

106.  Indeed, this was the clear trial.

107.  And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,

The event occurred on the 10th of Dzulhijjah in Mina. The date of the event was used as a Qurban / Eid al-Adha holiday for Muslims around the world. Muslims who perform the Hajj also perform qurban in Mina as a tribute to Prophet Abraham.

Surah Ash-Shaffat verses 108-111:

وَتَرَكۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرِينَ  ١٠٨ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ  ١٠٩ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ  ١١٠ إِنَّهُۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ  ١١١

108.  And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

109.  "Peace upon Abraham."

110.  Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

111.  Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

Reference

Kisah 25 Nabi dan Rasul, writer: MB. Rahimsyah AR.

Nabi Ibrahim a.s. – Wikipedia Bahasa Melayu