The story of Prophet Ismail AS, the Beginning of Hajj and Sacrifice

 

 The story of Prophet Ismail AS, the Beginning of Hajj and Sacrifice

The son of Prophet Ibrahim AS, Ismail, was appointed as the 8th prophet and messenger by Allah SWT. The story of Prophet Ismail AS is the origin of Hajj and sacrifice.

Ismail is the son of Ibrahim and his wife Siti Hajar. When Ismail was born, at God's command, Ibrahim took his son with Hajar out of Palestine.

They passed through the arid desert towards a hilly valley known as the Bakkah Valley. The valley is now the holy city, Mecca.

In the valley, Ibrahim made shelter with food and drink as usual. Ibrahim then returned to Palestine while continuing to pray for the safety of Siti Hajar and Ismail.

After days in the desert, Siti Hajar ran out of food and drink for her and Ismail. Little Ismail was crying thirsty wanting to breastfeed.

Siti Hajar then ran back and forth looking for water for her son. He ran between two hills, Shafa and Marwah. This story became the origin of the Hajj pillar known as Sa'i or jogging seven times between the hills of Shafa and Marwah.

When Siti Hajar was tired, she heard a voice calling her to take Ismail to the place. Arriving at the place, Siti Hajar put Ismail who then stomped his foot. From the pounding of the feet, clear water emerged which is now known as the well of Zamzam.

Siti Hajar drank the water to Ismail. The water source made the Jumhur Tribe flock to the location. Within a few years, the Bakkah Valley developed into a bustling place of people.

Ismail was raised by his mother Siti Hajar in Mecca. Prophet Ibrahim who lived in Palestine regularly visited Mecca. Until Ismail reached the age of a teenager, Prophet Ibrahim said that he had a bad dream.

Prophet Ibrahim said that Allah ordered him to slaughter Ishmael. Ibrahim then asked Ismail's opinion.

"O my son, in fact I saw in a dream that I was slaughtering you. So think about what you think!" said Abraham. Then, valiantly, Ismail asked his father to do the command of Allah.

Illustration. The story of Prophet Ismail AS became the beginning of the sacrificial worship on Eid al-Adha. (CNN Indonesia/Daniela)

"O my father, do what you are commanded; God willing you will find me among the patient people," said Ismail. This conversation is found in the Qur'an, chapter As-Saffat verse 102.

With full obedience, Ibrahim carried out God's command. Ismail asked his father to tie him with a rope and sharpen the knife so that he would not struggle and be in pain during slaughter. Ismail also requested that his clothes be given to Siti Hajar as a keepsake.

Before the slaughter, Ismail and Ibrahim hugged each other passionately.

Ibrahim started the slaughter process by mentioning the name of God. However, the sharp knife he used turned out not to be able to slaughter Ismail.

Ismail asked his father to slaughter him without seeing his face. However, still Ibrahim's knife could not slaughter the child.

At that time, God said that his command was a test of faith for Ibrahim and Ishmael. God then sent a goat to be slaughtered, the replacement of Prophet Ishmael.

"And We redeemed the child with a great sacrifice," reads the translation of Surah Ash-Saffat verse 107.

See also:The story of Noah and the people who drowned in the Great Flood

This event of slaughter is the origin of the sacrifice worship that is performed or highly recommended for people who can afford it on Eid al-Adha.

When Ismail grew up, he and his father again received an order from God to build the Kaaba near the well of Zamzam. Ismail and Ibrahim built the Ka'bah with prayers.

God then taught Prophet Ibrahim and Ishmael to worship in the House, which then became the origin of the Hajj which continued to be carried out from the Ummah of Prophet Ibrahim to Prophet Muhammad SAW.

The example of filial piety to parents is an important lesson that can be learned from the story of Prophet Ismail AS. "Prophet Ismail is a child who is very devoted to his parents. If you want to find an exemplary figure, look at Prophet Ismail," said the caretaker of the Al-Afifiyah Learning Park, KH Wahyul Afif Al-Ghafiqi, to CNNIndonesia.com , some time ago.

See also:The Story of Prophet Idris AS, Creative and Active in Preaching

Wahyul said, Prophet Ismail did not judge or question God's orders given to his parents. Ismail believed that God's order was good for him.

Ismail was always kind to God. He believes that God does not want evil for His servants.

Based on the story of Prophet Ismail and his obedience, it is necessary to know that obedience to Allah SWT will be rewarded with good things. "His obedience was rewarded by God by being saved, not sacrificed," said Wahyul.