Is that a BAD thing?! If there’s anything revealing the differences between Jews and Muslims, this is it.

There is a hadith, “The sacrificial son was Isaac” (al-dhabihu Ishaq) – its authenticity is, of course, disputed.

Ditto with the hadith that one of the commenters above is referring to, “I am the son of two sacrificial sons” – referring to Ishmael and Abdul Muttalib. Authenticity disputed again.

The reason I ask is that I studied for a year at Norfolk House, an Anglican-ethos preparatory school in London, UK. In our “Scripture” class, the textbook was “The Patriarchs” (part of a series that also included “The Palestine of Jesus”). This Judaeo-Christian textbook, to my immense surprise as someone who had already memorised the Qur’an by then, named Ishmael as the sacrifical son.

And yes, conversely, the view that Isaac was the sacrificial son is a well-known one in the Islamic tradition, albeit a controversial one.

The 5th pillar of Islam, Haj, is entirely based on Ibrahim’s/ Isamil and Hajar’s story so no one in the Muslim world actually disputes the fact that Ismail was in fact the sacrificial son.

If I hadn’t read it with my own eyes I would believe you brother, but
Ibn Qutaybah, al-Tabari, al-Thalabi, al-Zamakhshari, al-Tabarsi, al-Kisa’i, Ibn Jarir, Ibn al-Athir, Ibn Kathir and Mujir al-Din all put forward versions where Ishaq (AS) was the dhabih Allah.

It is clear from the above that the story was about Ibrahim’s FIRST BORN which was Ismail. Evidence? Ibrahim’s prayer at the start of the verse.

In sura 37:101 it says “So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy.”, it is this verse that gives the context of the sacrifice. The episode of the sacrifice is closed by sura 112 which states “And We gave him good tidings of Isaac“. Al-Tabari uses this as a proof that the sacrifice must have been Ishaq because the Quran only mentions tidings when referencing Ishaq.

But this has been debated by greater men than you or I, there is nothing new either of us can add to the debate. May our intention be recognised by Allah SWT as sincere, for only He knows best.

May Allah SWT guide us to the right path.

I’m not a Muslim scholar. I’m just regular Muslim.

I can know of two indications, one from the prophet Mohd peace be upon him and the other one from the Quran itself!

First:
In the Quran, Chapter #37 “Al Safat” verse 99 onward: Ibrahim, peace be upon him prays to God to grant him a son and God answers his prayer in the next verse.In the verse right after that God tells the story of the sacrifice starting with “when he (that child) reached “Al Sae” with him (Ibrahim) he told him: dear son I saw myself sacrificing you in a vision ..” and so the story goes on

It is clear from the above that the story was about Ibrahim’s FIRST BORN which was Ismail. Evidence? Ibrahim’s prayer at the start of the verse.

Second:
I dont recall the exact text (and too lazy to look it up, unless someone challenges me), you can find it if you search. In more than one Hadith the prophet mentions that he’s the son of “both” sacrifices. Ismail, which you already know and dispute, and Abdullah, our prophet’s father. The story of how Abdullah’s father (the prophet’s grandfather) made a pledge to God that if he grants him 10 sons he would sacrifice the last one for God’s glory is well documented.

I question the purpose of this article. God will judge us all.

Peace be on those who follow the right path.

“And when they both submitted (to the command of God), and he (Abraham) laid him (Ishmael) face down upon his forehead (in order to be sacrificed).” (Quran 37:103)

It was Ishmael. Bu never mind. I think this article should be deleted, coz it only leads to debates and discussions!