THE STORY OF THE PROPHET ISHMAEL - Prophet Abraham's Instructions to Ishmael in Choosing a Wife

More and more people are living around the Zam-Zam well. Ishmael who grew up in Mecca grew older. Then he married a woman.

Prophet Abraham often visited Ishmael. One day the Prophet Abraham arrived in Mecca visiting the house of Ishmael. At that time Ishmael was out of the house. There is only Ishmael's wife in the house.

Prophet Abraham asked, "Where is Ishmael now?"

"Ishmael is hunting now," answered Ishmael's wife.

"What is the condition of your life?" asked the Prophet Abraham.

"This is how our condition of life is in distress," complained Ishmael's wife.

Then Ishmael's wife recounted the various evils and shortcomings of Ishmael.

"Do you have a meal?" asked the Prophet Abraham.

"There is no food or drink in this house, nothing." answered Ishmael's wife.

Prophet Abraham was disappointed with the behavior of his son's wife. His daughter-in-law does not respect her husband and likes to tell her husband's shortcomings. His daughter-in-law looks not grateful with the gift of Allah SWT. In fact, his daughter-in-law was seen not wanting guests to come.

Then Prophet Abraham said goodbye to leave by sending a message to Ishmael's wife, "Tell your husband that this door must be replaced immediately."

When Ishmael had returned home, his wife told him about the incident he had experienced, as well as the message of Prophet Abraham.

Ishmael understood his father's intentions, so he said to his wife, "My father means, I have to divorce you. You have to go back to your family home."

After divorcing his first wife, Ishmael married another woman. This time his wife has good character, his face is always sweet and friendly.

One day Abraham visited the house of Ishmael again. He was greeted kindly by his new daughter-in-law. This Ishmael's wife never told her husband's shortcomings, was good at respecting guests, and was grateful for the blessings of Allah SWT. Before leaving Prophet Abraham told his new daughter-in-law, "Tell your husband that this door should not be replaced."

His father's message was immediately understood by Ishmael. This time the Prophet Abraham approved of his marriage to the noble-minded woman. Ishmael's wife this time is the right choice.

Ishmael and his good wife live a household life with happiness. They have several offspring. The Prophet Ishmael had 12 sons and a daughter named Bashemath, who was married to his brother's son (nephew), namely Al-Aish bin Ishaq. It was from the descendants of Prophet Ishmael that a closing Prophet would be born, the Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Ishmael's descendants also sent down the Arab Musta'ribah.

This is one of the words of Allah SWT who mentions the name Ishmael. Surah Maryam verse 54:

وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ إِسۡمَٰعِيلَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلۡوَعۡدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولٗا نَّبِيّٗا  ٥٤

54.  And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.