This article reflects on the Prophet Ibrahim's severe trial of sacrificing his son Ismail based on his dream, the submission of both of them to that command, until Allah replaced it with a great sacrifice.
The Story of the Prophet Ibrahim Sacrificing Ismail
Caravans of travellers began settling in that area and they began drawing water flowing from the well of Zamzam. Signs of life began to spread their wings in that region. Ismail began to grow and the Prophet Ibrahim showed him love and attention, then Allah SWT tested him with a severe trial. Allah SWT tells of that trial in His words:
"And [mention, O Muhammad], when Ibrahim said, 'Indeed, I will go to [where I am ordered by] my Lord; He will guide me. My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.' So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy. And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he could work alongside Ibrahim.
Ibrahim 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.' And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, (the patience of both was made manifest). And We called to him, 'O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice. And We left for him [favourable mention] among later generations: 'Peace upon Ibrahim.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, he was of Our believing servants." (QS. ash-Shaffat: 99-111)
Consider how Allah SWT tests His servants. Reflect on the form of that trial. We now stand before a prophet whose heart was the most gentle and most compassionate heart on the face of the earth. His heart was full of love for Allah SWT and love for His creatures. The Prophet Ibrahim received a child when he had reached an advanced age, whereas before that he had not imagined he would receive the blessing of a child.
The Story of the Prophet Ibrahim Sacrificing Ismail
The Prophet Ibrahim slept, and in his sleep he saw himself sacrificing his son, his only beloved son. A great turmoil arose within him. It would truly be wrong to think that there was no turmoil within him. The Prophet Ibrahim was truly tested with a severe trial. A trial directly connected to a father's emotions, full of love and affection.
The Prophet Ibrahim thought and reflected. Then came the answer that Allah SWT showed him that the dreams of the prophets are dreams of truth. In his dream, the Prophet Ibrahim saw that he was sacrificing his only son. This was a revelation from Allah SWT and a command from Him to sacrifice his beloved son.
The Story of the Prophet Ibrahim Sacrificing Ismail
As a true lover, the Prophet Ibrahim felt no distress over this. He did not "object" to that command of Allah SWT. The Prophet Ibrahim was the foremost among lovers. The Prophet Ibrahim thought about what to say to his son when he laid him down on the ground before sacrificing him. It was better for him to tell his son, and this would settle his heart more than forcing him to be sacrificed. In the end, the Prophet Ibrahim went to meet his son.
"Ibrahim said: 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I sacrifice you, so what is your view?'" (QS. ash-Shaffat: 102)
Consider how compassionately the Prophet Ibrahim conveyed the command to his son. He left the matter to his son; whether his son would obey that command. Was that command not a command from his Lord? Ismail answered in the same manner as his father's words, that the command came from Allah SWT and so the father had to carry it out promptly:
"O my father, do as your Lord commands you. If Allah wills, you will find me among the patient." (QS. ash-Shaffat: 102)
Consider the son's answer. He knew that he would be sacrificed in fulfilment of the Lord's command, yet he instead reassured his father's heart that he would be patient. That was the peak of patience. Perhaps the son would have felt the weight of being killed by slaughter in fulfilment of Allah SWT's command. But the Prophet Ibrahim felt at peace when he found his son challenging him to show love for Allah SWT.
The Story of the Prophet Ibrahim Sacrificing Ismail
We do not know the true feelings of the Prophet Ibrahim when he found his son showing such extraordinary patience. Allah SWT tells us that Ismail lay down on the ground with his face turned down upon it, out of respect for the Prophet Ibrahim so that when he sacrificed him, Ismail would not see him, or the reverse. Then the Prophet Ibrahim raised his knife in fulfilment of Allah SWT's command:
"And when they had both submitted and Ibrahim had laid him down on his forehead, (the patience of both was made manifest)." (QS. ash-Shaffat: 103)
The Qur'an uses that expression when both of them submitted to the command of Allah SWT. This is the true form of Islam. You must give something for Islam, such that nothing of you remains held back. At the moment the knife was ready to be used by Allah SWT's command, Allah SWT called out to Ibrahim. The trial was over, and Allah SWT replaced Ismail with a great sacrifice.
That event is then commemorated as a festival by Muslims, a festival that reminds them of the true Islam brought and practised by the Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail.
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