The Prophet Isaac and Rifqah have two sons. The
first son was named 'Ish, who was loved by his father, and the second son named
Jacob, who was loved by his mother.
When the Prophet Isaac was very old, he could not
see. Therefore, the Prophet Isaac is often served by 'Ish. 'Ish often prepares
food for his father. One day, Jacob was told by Rifqah to prepare food for his
father before being carried out by 'Ish.
After Jacob prepared food, the Prophet Isaac prayed
for Jacob, "May your descendants become Prophets and Kings."
The prayer of a Prophet is a prayer that is a must.
Ish is jealous after knowing that his father, the Prophet Isaac, has prayed for
the good of Jacob. Jacob was considered presumptuous because he overtook Ish in
preparing food for his father, so there was a grudge against Jacob in the heart
of Ish.
Since that time the relationship between Ish and
Jacob was not good. Ish is hostile to Jacob, even threatening Jacob. Ish will
kill Jacob so that Jacob cannot have children of Prophets and Kings.
Then the Prophet Isaac ordered Jacob to go to the
land of Faddan Aram in Iraq so that he would avoid Ish trying to kill him. In
Faddan Araam there was his uncle named Laban bin Batwih, who was the brother of
Jacob's mother. By following his father's orders, Jacob could meet with his
family on the mother's side. The Prophet Isaac also hoped that Jacob could
marry his uncle's daughter. Jacob immediately packed up and said goodbye to his
mother and father to go to Iraq.
On the way to his uncle's house, Jacob did not dare
to walk during the daytime. Jacob was worried that he would be found and
tortured by his brother, Ish. Therefore, Jacob traveled at night, while he
rested during the day. Therefore the descendants of Jacob are called the Bani Israil (Children of Israel), Israel means walking at night.
Finally Jacob arrived in Iraq safely and he met his
uncle. His uncle accepted his arrival and said, "You may live here, you
will match my daughter with the condition that you have to feed my many farm
animals for seven years. This is the dowry."
Jacob agreed to the terms. He is able to accept this
responsibility. After the Prophet Jacob worked for seven years, Jacob was
married to his uncle's daughter, Layya. Then Jacob herded livestock again for
seven years and after that he was married to Rahil, Layya's sister. At that
time the law of marrying two girls who were siblings was allowed.
Layya and Rahil each had two female servants who
took care of their needs. Layya's servant named Zulfa and Rahil's servant named
Balhah. Finally, their two female servants were married to Jacob. That way the
Prophet Jacob had four wives.
Of the four wives the Prophet Jacob was blessed with
twelve sons and two daughters.
The twelve sons are:
From Layya: Rubin, Syam'un, Lawway, Yahuda, Yaskir,
Zebulaon.
From Rahil: Yusuf, Bunyamin.
From Balhah: Dann, Naftali.
From Zulfa: Jaad, Asyir.
Both daughters of the Prophet Jacob were named Dinah (from Layya) and Yathirah (twin of Bunyamin).
Prophet Jacob was appointed as a Prophet and
assigned to preach in Sham. The following is a verse about the prophethood of
the Prophet Jacob.
Surah Maryam verse 49:
فَلَمَّا
ٱعۡتَزَلَهُمۡ وَمَا يَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَهَبۡنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسۡحَٰقَ
وَيَعۡقُوبَۖ وَكُلّٗا جَعَلۡنَا نَبِيّٗا
٤٩
49. So when he had left them and those they
worshipped other than Allah, We gave him Isaac and Jacob, and each [of them] We
made a prophet.
Surah Al-Anbiya ’verse 72:
وَوَهَبۡنَا
لَهُۥٓ إِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ نَافِلَةٗۖ وَكُلّٗا جَعَلۡنَا صَٰلِحِينَ ٧٢
72. And We gave him Isaac and Jacob in addition,
and all [of them] We made righteous.
Surah Shaad verse 45:
وَٱذۡكُرۡ
عِبَٰدَنَآ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ أُوْلِي ٱلۡأَيۡدِي وَٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرِ ٤٥
45. And remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob - those of strength and [religious] vision.
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