Sayyidunā Isḥāq  عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم (Part: 02)

Let us read some details about the blessed biography of Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم :

Good news of a birth

Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the paternal cousin of Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم .[1] The honourable angels of Allah Almighty, Sayyidunā Jibrāˈīl, Sayyidunā Mīkāˈīl, and Sayyidunā Isrāfīl عَـلَيْـهِمُ الـسَّـلاَم  came to Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم and Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا in human form and gave them good news of the birth of a son, Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم , by the command of Allah Almighty.[2]

The incident is as follows:

Allah Almighty had granted abundant provision, wealth, and servants to Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم , and he used to host guests with great keenness. When Allah Almighty intended to destroy the people of Prophet Lūṭ عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم , He commanded the angels to go to Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم as guests and give him and his wife, Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا the good news regarding the birth of Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم and then Sayyidunā YaꜤqūb عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم .

Thus, Sayyidunā Jibrāˈīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم and a few other angels came as guests in the form of handsome and beautiful young men. After greeting and conversing, Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم presented them with a roasted calf. When he saw that they were not extending their hands towards the food, Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم became uneasy. Seeing this, the angels reassured him and revealed themselves. Then they gave Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم the good news of a knowledgeable son, Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم .

The astonishment of Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم

Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was astonished to hear this, due to his own and his wife's old age, and he said to the angels, "It is strange to have children at such an old age; how will we have children? Will we be made young again or will a son be granted to us in this very state?" This astonishment of Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was not regarding Allah’s power, but rather because it was an act contrary to the norm, as people do not usually have children in old age.

The angels replied, "We have given you the true glad tidings of this decision of Allah Almighty, that a son will be born to you and your progeny will spread widely, so do not despair of the birth of a son."

He responded, "I do not despair of Allah’s mercy, because disbelievers are despondent about Allah’s mercy. Yes, that which Allah Almighty has established as customary in the world made this matter seem strange."

Good news for Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا

Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , the wife of Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم , also heard the good news of the knowledgeable boy’s birth. Upon this, Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا came out crying in astonishment. Striking her face in wonder, she said, "Will a woman who is old and has never had children give birth?" By this, she meant that having a child in such a state was extraordinary. The angels said, "What we have said is exactly what your Lord has decreed, for He is indeed All-Wise in His actions, and nothing is hidden from Him."

Then, through the angels, Allah Almighty gave Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا the good news of a son, Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم , and a grandson, Sayyidunā YaꜤqūb عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم . The reason for giving Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا this good news was that the joy of having children is greater for women than for men. Furthermore, Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا had no children of her own, but Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم already had a son, Sayyidunā IsmāꜤīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم .

Angels' reply

When Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا expressed astonishment based on her own and Prophet Ibrāhīm's old age, the angels said, "O Sārah! This is not a matter of astonishment for you, because you belong to a household that is accustomed to miracles, to things happening contrary to custom, and to the descent of Allah’s mercy and blessings."[3]

The arrival of the Prophet

Sayyidunā Isḥāq's mother, Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , became pregnant the very night when the angels arrived to bring divine punishment upon the nation of Prophet Lūṭ  عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم due to their disobedience.[4] The days of Sayyidah Sārah’s pregnancy passed slowly. Finally, on the night of Friday, the 10^th of Muḥarram, the day of ꜤĀshūrāˈ, Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم came into this world. There was a light on his blessed face that illuminated the surrounding environment. Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم bowed towards the ground and prostrated to his pure Lord, thereafter he raised both hands and gestured towards Tawḥīd (meaning the oneness of Allah Almighty).[5]

Prophet Ibrāhīm  عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم offered thanks

Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم entered and praised Allah Almighty and expressed thanks by saying that all praise belongs to the One who granted him IsmāꜤīl and Isḥāq in his old age.[6] Then, as a sign of gratitude, he invited the poor and needy, fed them, and quenched their thirst.[7] Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was born one year after the good news was received. At the time of his birth, his mother رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was 100 years old, and his father was 121 years old. He was 14 years younger than his brother, Sayyidunā IsmāꜤīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم .[8] O Allah Almighty, include us among Your grateful servants.

Childhood days

Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was 7 days old at the time of his circumcision.[9] On the day Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was weaned, Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم arranged a grand feast.[10] Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا continued to raise Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم until he was seven years old.[11] At this age, Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم visited Bayt al-Maqdis with his father, Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم .[12]

Performing Hajj

Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم spent his life in the cities of Syria and Palestine, and Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was brought up among those very people.[13] Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم returned to his home in Syria after building the Ka’bah and used to come for Hajj every year. Sayyidah Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , Sayyidunā Isḥāq, and Sayyidunā YaꜤqūb, عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم also performed Hajj by journeying to the sacred KaꜤbah.[14] O Allah, grant us the blessing of visiting the sacred Kaʿbah and performing Hajj.

Status of Prophethood and Messengership

By the grace of Allah Almighty, Sayyidunā Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was blessed with Prophethood during the lifetime of Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم .[15] Allah Almighty, having granted him the status of Prophethood and Messengership, sent him to the Canaanites residing in the cities of Syria and Palestine.[16] He continued to admonish and advise his people for approximately 80 years.[17]