The story of Prophet Ya'qub's marriage to Laiya and Rahil, who were sisters in Haran, and his descendants who became the twelve tribes of Banu Isra'il, and the revelation and bequest that he received at the end of his life.
Prophet Ya'qub's Marriage to Laiya and Rahil in Islam
After seven years had passed, Prophet Ya'qub demanded of Laban the promise that had allowed him to marry one of his daughters if he worked caring for the livestock for seven years. Laban did not renege on his promise, but he suggested that Ya'qub marry his first daughter, named Laiya, the elder sister of Rahil. However, Prophet Ya'qub wished to marry Rahil because Rahil was more beautiful and he had already come to like her since their first meeting. Laban understood and comprehended what Prophet Ya'qub felt, but the custom that prevailed at that time did not allow a younger sister to marry before her elder sister.
So as a middle way to not disappoint Prophet Ya'qub and not violate the custom that was in force at that time, Laban suggested that Prophet Ya'qub accept Laiya as his first wife and Rahil as his second wife who would be married at a later time after Ya'qub had worked on the livestock for another seven years.
Prophet Ya'qub, who so respected Laban and felt indebted to him who had received him in his home as family, served him well and made no distinction, and was even treated like his own son, could do nothing but accept this suggestion. The marriage to Laiya was conducted and the work contract for seven years was signed.
Prophet Ya'qub's Marriage to Laiya and Rahil in Islam
After seven more years had passed, Prophet Ya'qub was finally married to Rahil, the girl whom he deeply loved and always remembered since their first meeting when he had just entered the city of Padan Aram. The marriage of Prophet Ya'qub to two sisters, an elder and a younger, did not violate any rule, either in religion or according to the custom of that time.
As Allah Almighty decreed: 'Forbidden to you are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, the sisters of your fathers, the sisters of your mothers, the daughters of your brothers, the daughters of your sisters, your mothers who nursed you, your sisters through nursing, the mothers of your wives, your stepdaughters in your guardianship from wives with whom you have had relations—but if you have not consummated the marriage with them, there is no sin upon you—and the wives of your sons who are from your loins, and that you take two sisters simultaneously, except for what has already passed. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.'
Prophet Ya'qub's Marriage to Laiya and Rahil in Islam
Laban gave gifts to both his daughters who had become the wives of Prophet Ya'qub, each a maidservant to help manage their households. And from his two wives and maidservants named Zulfah and Bilhah who were also married by Prophet Ya'qub, he was blessed with twelve children, all of whom are mentioned in the Qur'an as Al-Asbaath.
Many years later, Ya'qub had abundant wealth in the land of Haran because he steadfastly adhered to Allah's commands wherever he was and did not follow the customs of the people around him. During his life in this land too, Ya'qub received twelve children from his four wives. His eleven sons were Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Zebulun, Issachar, and Yusuf; while he had one daughter named Dinah. When Allah commanded him to return to his father's house, Ya'qub had become a very wealthy man with many children, much livestock, and many servants when he left the land of Haran, although he had brought no supplies when he first arrived in that land.
Prophet Ya'qub's Marriage to Laiya and Rahil in Islam
Laiya gave birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Rahil gave birth to Yusuf and Benjamin. Rahil died giving birth to Benjamin. Zulfah gave birth to Dan and Naphtali. And Bilhah gave birth to Gad and Asher. They were all called Al-Asbaath, meaning the tribes of Banu Isra'il, because each of them had many descendants.
At some point, a war occurred between a king and the family of Prophet Ya'qub. Prophet Ya'qub entrusted his son Simeon to face the attack from that king. Then victory came to the side of Prophet Ya'qub, and he and his sons entered the fortress defense that had been destroyed, and then the property on the losing side was taken as war spoils.
Prophet Ya'qub's Marriage to Laiya and Rahil in Islam
Many years later, Ya'qub had abundant wealth in the land of Haran because he steadfastly adhered to Allah's commands wherever he was and did not follow the customs of the people around him. During his life in this land too, Ya'qub received twelve children from his four wives. His eleven sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Zebulun, Issachar, and Yusuf; while he had one daughter named Dinah. When Allah commanded him to return to his father's house, Ya'qub had become a very wealthy man with many children, much livestock, when he left the land of Haran, although he had brought no supplies when he first arrived in that land.
Some time later, Prophet Ya'qub migrated to Palestine to visit his uncle. He traveled at night and rested during the day. During this journey of migration, he fell asleep upon a stone, and then he dreamed. In this dream, Prophet Ya'qub received a revelation from Allah which said, 'I am Allah; there is no deity except Me. I am your Lord and the Lord of your fathers. I have inherited the Holy Land (Bait al-Maqdis) for you and your descendants, and I have blessed it, and I have given you the Book, knowledge, wisdom, and prophethood.'
At an advanced age, Prophet Ya'qub followed his son to Egypt, who was also a prophet, Prophet Yusuf, who became a great official in that land. Prophet Ya'qub settled in Egypt and had many descendants in Egypt. From here came the origin of the people of Israel being spread throughout the land of Egypt, who were later freed by Prophet Musa from the oppression of Pharaoh. Prophet Ya'qub died or passed away at the age of 147 in the land of Egypt.
In the Qur'an it has been stated that Prophet Ya'qub gave a bequest to his sons, as he approached his end, and Allah's word in the Qur'an is as follows:
'Were you present when death came to Ya'qub? When he said to his sons, 'What will you worship after me?' They said, 'We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Ibrahim, Ismail, and Ishaq - [all] as one religion. And we are, to Him, Muslims.' (Qur'an 2:133)'
Ya'qub was also called Israel, the ancestor of the people of Banu Isra'il. The name of Prophet Ya'qub is mentioned twice in the Qur'an, and he had many descendants who were among the prophets.
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