The Bible on the children of Prophet Ismāʿīl
Question
I read online that according to the bible, the children of Ishmael will not get along. Is there any reality to this?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Answer
Perhaps you are referring to the following: “And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress. This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives” (Genesis 16: 11-12, New Living Translation).
This is a clear fabrication to defame Prophet Ismāʿīl (peace be upon him), because he is the father of Arabs whilst his brother Prophet Isḥāq (peace be upon him) is the father of the Jews and revered by them. As Muslims, we believe and revere both and indeed all the Prophets sent by Allah Almighty.
Allah knows best
Yusuf Shabbir
16 Dhū al-Ḥijjah 1444 / 4 July 2023
Approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmed and Mufti Muhammad Tahir
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