Cordoba Quran - The story of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his son, Ishmael (peace be upon him), during the sacrifice is one of the most touching and illuminating stories in the history of prophecy. Not only does it emphasize obedience and exemplary conduct, but it also holds important lessons for building a pious, harmonious, and devout family based on faith.

The title of the prophet Ibrahim is mentioned in many places in the Quran , such as Kholilullah, beloved of Allah, Ummah or one nation, Abikum, father of the Prophets, Uswatun hasanah, a good example, and others.

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Here are 5 main lessons we can learn from the exemplary story of his son, Ismail:

1. Pious Parents Give Birth to Pious Children

In the footsteps of the Prophet Ibrahim, he was a servant figure who was very close to Allah. He is referred to as khalilullah (beloved of Allah) in the Al-Qur'an surah An-Nisa verse 125.

وَمَنْ اَحْسَنُ دِيْنًا مِّمَّنْ اَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهٗ لِلّٰهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ وَّاتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ اِبْرٰهِيْمَ حَنِيْفًا ۗوَاتَّخَذَ اللّٰهُ اِبْرٰهِيْمَ خَلِيْلًا

Meaning: " And whose religion is better than the one who sincerely submits himself to Allah, while he is doing good, and follows the straight religion of Abraham? And Allah has chosen Abraham to be (His) favorite."

When he was blessed with a child late in life, he was spiritually mature and resilient in the test of faith. So it is not surprising that his son, Ismail, grew up to be an obedient, patient and obedient child to Allah. In QS. Ash-Shaffat: 100, Ibrahim prayed:

رَبِّ هَبْ لِيْ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِيْنَ

Meaning: "O my Lord, grant me (a child) who is among the pious people."

This verse demonstrates that educating children is not merely a technical matter, but begins with the parents themselves. A pious father and mother automatically create a home atmosphere filled with blessings and strong Islamic values.

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2. Earnest Prayer for Children

One of the important lessons from the Prophet Ibrahim was how he aspired to have a pious child even before the child was born. Not only hoping, he prayed seriously, as mentioned in the QS. Ibrahim: 40

God bless you رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاۤءِ

"O my Lord, make me a person who continues to pray, and (make) my children and grandchildren (the same way). O our Lord, please accept my prayer."

Prayer is not only hope, but also a reflection of faith and belief in God's role in forming quality offspring. Prophet Ibrahim's prayer is an example of his sincerity in educating his family.

وَالَّذِيْنَ يَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ God willing لِلْمُتَّقِيْنَ اِمَامًا

“ And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us our spouses and our offspring as a delight in (our) hearts, and make us leaders of the pious .” (QS. Al-Furqan, 25: 74)

3. Children's obedience is not born from violence, but from example.

When Ibrahim conveyed Allah's order to slaughter Ismail, the child's response was extraordinary. In QS. Ash-Shaffat: 102, Ismail said:

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يٰبُنَيَّ اِنِّيْٓ اَرٰى فِى الْمَنَامِ اَنِّيْٓ اَذْبَحُكَ فَانْظُرْ مَاذَا تَرٰىۗ قَالَ يٰٓاَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُۖ سَتَجِدُنِيْٓ اِنْ شَاۤءَ God bless you

Meaning: “So when he reached the age of being able to work with him, (Abraham) said, “O my son! I have dreamed that I am slaughtering you. So consider what you think!” He (Ishmael) said, “O my father! Do what you are commanded; God willing, you will find me among the patient.”

This attitude didn't come by accident. He grew up in a household filled with love, guidance, and concrete examples of obedience from his father and mother. This serves as an important lesson that true obedience in children only emerges from a family environment that consistently instills Islamic values, compassion, and noble morals.

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4. The Value of a Child in Worldly and Hereafter Investments

Having children is not merely a worldly pride, but a shared responsibility to raise a generation obedient to God and to produce the best descendants in worship. In Islam, children are a trust and a potential investment for the afterlife.

Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail are examples in this regard, as in the letter Al-Baqarah verse 127,

وَاِذْ يَرْفَعُ اِبْرٰهٖمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَاِسْمٰعِيْلُۗ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۗ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ السَّمِيْعُ الْعَلِيْمُ

Meaning: " And (remember) when Ibrahim raised the foundations of the House with Ismail, (while praying), "Our Lord, accept (charity) from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, All-Knowing ."

In the hadith narrated by Muslim it is stated:

God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing God willing وَوَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ

Meaning: "When a human being dies, his deeds are cut off except for three things: charity, useful knowledge, and pious children who pray for him."

From this, we learn that the struggle to educate children shouldn't stop at school or career success. We need to ensure they grow into individuals aware of their spiritual responsibilities.

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5. Sacrifice as Spiritual Education and Family Sacrifice

The momentum of sacrifice is not only about slaughtering animals, but also slaughtering ego, selfishness and excessive attachment to the world. In the family context, this is the right time to instill the values ​​of sincerity, trust and obedience in children. Family love must be within the framework of love for Allah and worship.

Just as the Prophets Abraham and Ishmael willingly carried out God's command despite its hardships, so too must we as a family learn to prioritize God's commandments in every aspect of our lives. Sacrifice becomes a moment of shared reflection: how far we are willing to sacrifice, even in the smallest sphere: our own family.

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Also Read: 3 Example Families in the Koran, Who Are They?

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Conclusion: Traces of the Sacrifice of the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail

The lessons of the Prophets Abraham and Ishmael are timeless stories of love, faith, and family sacrifice. From them, we learn that building a righteous family is not an instant task, but a long process that begins with good deeds.

قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ اُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ فِيْٓ اِبْرٰهِيْمَ وَالَّذِيْنَ مَعَهٗۚ

Meaning: " Truly there was for you a good example in Abraham and those who were with him ." (QS Al-Mumlahanah, 60: 4)

This praise from God for Abraham, of course, came after he strove to become a person beloved by God. The question now is: who among us, from the very beginning of our parenthood, has strived to learn and strive to be a righteous parent?

Prayer, role models, patience, spiritual communication within the family, and sacrifice are strong foundations for raising the next generation with strong faith and morals. Pious offspring are born from the piousness of their parents.

May we be among the servants of Allah who are able to emulate Abraham and Ismail, and become a blessed family in this world and the hereafter. Amen.

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 Wallahu'alam bishawab

Related reading: History of Qurban from the time of Prophet Ibrahim to Prophet Muhammad SAW

Related Reading: 8 Virtues of Sacrifice: Doing Good in All Things, Including Slaughtering Animals

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