The young Ismaeel, the child of the desert, the son born from patience and exile, did not flinch. He said the words that echo through eternity: “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the steadfast.”
He finally said, “Yes.”
Allah, in His wisdom, revealed to Ibraahim a command that would break any father’s heart: Take Hajar and the infant Ismaeel to a barren, uninhabited valley far away—the valley of Bakkah (later known as Makkah). nabi ibraahim caruurtiisa
One night, Ibraahim had a recurring dream. In the dream, he was sacrificing his son. The dreams of prophets are revelation. This was a command from Allah.
There, where the baby had kicked his heel into the sand, water burst forth. It gushed out with such force that Hajar tried to contain it, shouting “ Zam! Zam! ” (Stop! Stop!). But the water was a gift from Allah, and it would not stop. It became the well of Zamzam, the heart of a future city. Years passed. Ibraahim would visit his son in Makkah, and Ismaeel grew into a strong, righteous young man. Then came the most profound trial. The young Ismaeel, the child of the desert,
Ibraahim did not turn around. He could not. His eyes were filled with tears.
Father and son walked to the place of sacrifice. Ibraahim laid his son on his forehead, face down. He drew the knife across his son’s throat. But the knife would not cut. Allah had stopped the blade. One night, Ibraahim had a recurring dream
She asked, “Did Allah command you to do this?”
The test was not about blood. It was about the heart. Would Ibraahim’s love for his long-awaited son outweigh his love for his Creator? Would Ismaeel’s love for his own life outweigh his obedience to his father and Allah?