A prophet · link 9 of 25 in the chain
إسحاق
Ishaq
The laughing promise
Announced by angel guests to elderly parents; through him, Yaqub and the prophets of Bani Israil.
- EraSon of Ibrahim
- PlaceThe lands of Sham
- Named in the Qur'an17 times
The story
He was announced by angels who would not eat. When Ibrahim's mysterious guests refused the roasted calf, fear crept in; then they gave their news: a boy, from Sarah, who stood listening and laughed (11:71). She voiced the impossibility, an old woman and an old husband, and received the answer that governs the whole prophetic story: 'Do you wonder at the command of Allah?' (11:73). His very name carries the laughter of that day.
The Qur'an calls him 'a prophet from among the righteous' (37:112) and pairs him constantly with his father and his son: Ibrahim, Ishaq, Yaqub, a chain of 'strength and vision' (38:45-47). Through his line came the long procession of Bani Israil's prophets: Yusuf, Musa, Dawud, Sulayman, down to Isa. One elderly couple's impossible child became half the chain of light.
The Qur'an on it
Sarah, standing, laughs; the glad tidings of Ishaq, and after Ishaq, Yaqub.
Qur'an 11:71
'And We gave him good tidings of Ishaq, a prophet from among the righteous.'
Qur'an 37:112
Ibrahim, Ishaq and Yaqub: possessors of strength and vision, chosen for the remembrance of the Home.
Qur'an 38:45
The narrations
The noble, son of the noble, son of the noble, son of the noble: Yusuf, son of Yaqub, son of Ishaq, son of Ibrahim.
Sahih al-Bukhari
In numbers
- Named in the Qur'an17 times
- Through his linethe prophets of Bani Israil
The journey
- Guests who would not eat
- Sarah's laughter
- The impossible birth
- A line of prophets
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The words
On the Path
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