Discover the Life of Prophet Ishaq (Part 1)

Accounts of the noble Prophets عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام

Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم

Mawlana Abu Ubaid Attari Madani

Graduate of Jamia-tul-Madinah, Department of Monthly Magazine Faizan-e-Madinah, Karachi

Faizan-e-Madinah Monthly Magazine June 2025

Dear Islamic brothers! Ṣalāt Ibrāhīmī is recited during prayer. In this blessed ṣalāt, peace and blessings are sent upon our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and his pure family, and upon Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم and his noble family. This includes Prophet IsmāꜤīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, and other pure souls عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام. What is the reason for specifically mentioning Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم and his family? There are two wisdoms behind this:

1. During the Night of Ascension, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم greeted all the noble Prophets  and Messengers عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام. However, none of the noble Prophets عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام besides Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم asked the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to convey his greetings to the Muhammadan nation. For this reason, we have been instructed to continuously send peace and blessings upon Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم and his family at the end of every prayer.

2. After completing the construction of the sacred Ka’bah, Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم sat near it with all his family, cried, and supplicated, “O Allah! Convey my greetings to the elderly from the nation of Muhammad who perform Hajj at this House.” All the family members present said, “Āmīn”. Then Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم supplicated, “O Allah! Whoever from the middle-aged people of the Ummah of Muhammad perform Hajj at this House, convey my greetings to them.” Everyone said, “Āmīn”. After that, Prophet IsmāꜤīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم supplicated, “O Most Generous! Whoever from the youth of the Ummah of Muhammad perform Hajj at this House, convey my greetings to them.” Everyone said, “Āmīn”.

Then Lady Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا supplicated, “O Allah! Convey my greetings to the women from the Ummah of Muhammad who perform Hajj at this House.” Everyone said, “Āmīn”. Finally, Lady Hājar رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا supplicated, “O my Lord! Convey my greetings to the servants among the men and women from the Ummah of Muhammad who perform Hajj at this House.” Everyone collectively said, “Āmīn”.

Since salām has reached us from these blessed personalities, we have been commanded to continuously send peace and blessings upon Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم and his family (i.e., Prophet Isḥāq, Prophet IsmāꜤīl, Lady Sārah and Lady Hājar).[1]

In this article, we will learn about one of the most honoured, exalted, esteemed, and respected Prophets of Allah, Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم. Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was a great and noble Prophet, just like his father, Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم. In the same way Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was an esteemed and knowledgeable Prophet, his brother, Prophet IsmāꜤīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was too. In the same manner that Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was an honourable and compassionate Prophet, his son, Prophet YaꜤqūb عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was too. Just as Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was a respected and generous Prophet, his grandson, Prophet Yūsuf عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was too. How wondrous is the glory of this noble family of Prophets! The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم beautifully explained the rank of this family:

“اِنَّ الْكَرِيمَ ابْنَ الْكَرِيمِ ابْنِ الْكَرِيمِ ابْنِ الْكَرِيمِ يُوسُفُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ اِسْحَاقَ بْنِ اِبْرَاهِيمَ”

“Indeed, the noble son of a noble father, the noble grandson of a noble grandfather, and the noble great-grandson of a noble great-grandfather is Yūsuf b. YaꜤqūb b. Isḥāq b. Ibrāhīm عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام.”[2]

Name and meaning

Isḥāq is a Syriac[3] or Hebrew word which means cheerful.[4]

Appearance

Allah Almighty made Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم radiant and a source of comfort for the eyes of his parents. His face was very beautiful, with a fair complexion that had a rosy glow. His blessed nose was thin and straight, and his beard was not thick. The hair on his head and beard was white. He was an excellent speaker and resembled his father, Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم in appearance and character.[5]

Virtues

1,2. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم is an esteemed Prophet and Messenger of Allah.[6]

3. Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم and Lady Sārah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا were given glad tidings of his arrival before he was born.

4. The glad tidings were delivered by Allah’s honoured angels.[7]

5. They also delivered glad tidings of his Prophethood.

6. They also gave the good news that he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم would be a servant worthy of special closeness to Allah Almighty .

7,8. Allah Almighty granted him mercy and a true, exalted reputation.

9. Allah Almighty completed His favour upon him.

10. He was granted special proximity to Allah Almighty.

11. Special blessings were bestowed upon him.[8]

12,13. Allah Almighty granted Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, his son Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, and his grandson Prophet YꜤaqūb عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم both intellectual and physical strength, enabling them to recognise Allah Almighty and devote themselves to His worship.

14. Indeed, Allah Almighty chose them through a pure and sincere matter, and that is the remembrance of the Hereafter. They reminded people of the Hereafter, frequently mentioned it, and the love of this world had no place in their hearts. Undoubtedly, these sacred souls are among the finest chosen servants in the court of Allah Almighty.[9]

15. Most of the Prophets sent to Banī Isrāˈīl are descendants of Prophet Isḥāq عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم.[10]