The Quran does not give details of Isaac's life (pbuh), but reliable Quranic
commentators mentioned that when Abraham felt that his life was drawing to a
close, he wished to see Isaac married. He did not want Isaac to marry one of the
Canaanites, who were pagans, so he sent a trustworthy servant to Haran in Iraq
to choose a bride for Isaac. The servant's choice fell upon Rebekah Bint
Bethuel, Ibn Nahor, who was a brother of Abraham. Isaac married her and she gave
birth to a set of twins, Esau (Al Eis) and Jacob (Yaqub).
Ill feelings developed between the two brothers when they grew into manhood.
Esau disliked the fact that Jacob was favored by his father and by Allah with
prophethood. This ill feeling became so serious that Esau threatened to kill his
brother. Fearing for his life, Jacob fled the country.
The People of the Book said that when Isaac was forty years old, he married
Rebekah, Bint Bethuel, during his father's life. They said she was sterile, so
Isaac prayed to Allah and then she became pregnant. She gave birth to twin boys.
The first one was called Esau whom the Arabs called Al-Eis. He became the father
of Rum. The second one was called Jacob, which means Isreal, (belonging to the
people of Israel).
The People of the Book claimed that when Isaac (pbuh) grew old and his eye
sight had weakened, he had a desire for food, so he asked his son Esau to go
hunting and bring him some cooked game. Esau asked him to bless the food and
pray for him. Esau, a hunter, went out to get his father the meat. Rebekah,
overhearing this, ordered her son Jacob to slaughter two goats of his best flock
and cook them as his father liked and bring it to him before his brother
returned. She dressed Jacob in his brother's clothes and put goat skin on his
arms and neck, for Esau was hairy while Jacob was not. When he approached his
father with the food, his father asked: 'Who are you?' Jacob answered: 'I am
your son.' When his father finished eating, he prayed for his son to be the more
blessed brother and to prevail over them and all people, and for Allah to
sustain him and his children.
When he left his father, his brother Esau, who had carried out his father's
command, entered. Isaac asked him: "What is this my son?" He answered: "This is
the food you like." Isaac asked: "Did you brin it an hour ago and ask me to pray
for you?" Esau said: "No, I swear I did not," and he knew his brother had
preceded him in this matter and he was sick at heart.
The People of the Book said Esau threatened to kill his brother when their
father was dead. They also said that he asked his father to pray for him that
Allah make the earth good for his offsprin and multiply his sustenance and
fruits.
When their mother knew that Esau threatened his brother Jacob, she commanded
her son Jacob to go to her brother Laban in the land of Haran and abide with him
for a time until his brother's anger had abated, and to marry one of the Laban's
daughters. she told her husband Isaac to command him with that advice and pray
for him, and he did.
Jacob (pbuh) left his family, when night came he found a place to rest. He
took a stone and put it under his head and slept. He dreamed of a ladder from
heaven to earth. Angels were ascending and descending and the Lord addressed him
and said to him; "I will bless you and your offspring and make this land for you
and for those who come after you."
WHen he awoke he felt joyful from what he had seen in his dream and vowed,
for Allah's sake that if he returned to his family safely, he would build here a
temple for Allah the Almighty. He also vowed to give one tenth of his property
for the sake of Allah. He poured oil on the stone so as to recognize it and
called the place "Ayle's House" (Bethel), which means "House of Allah". It was
to be the location of Jerusalem later.
The People of the Book also said that when Jacob came to his maternal uncle
in the land of Haran, his uncle had two daughters. The elder one was called Leah
(Lia) and the younger one was Rachel (Rahil). The latter was the better and
lovelier of the two. His uncle agreed to marry his daughter to him on the
condition that Jacob pasture his sheep for seven years.
After a period of time, his uncle prepared a feast and gathered people for
the wedding. He married Leah, his elder daughter, to him at night. She was
weak-sighted and ugly. When morning came, Jacob discovered she was Leah and he
complained to his uncle. "You deceived me; I was engaged to Rachel and you
married me to Leah." His uncle said: "It is not our tradition to marry the
younger daughter before the elder daughter. However, if you love her sister,
work another seven years and I will marry you to both of them."
Jacob worked for seven years and then married Rachel. It was acceptable in
their time, as described in the Torah, for a man to marry two sisters. Laban
gave a female slave to each daughter. Leah's slave was called Zilpah and
Rachel's slave was called Bilha.
Almighty Allah compensated Leah's weakness by giving her sons.
the first one was named Rueben (Robel), after whom there were Simon (Shamun),
Levi (Lawi), and Judah (Yahudh). Rachel felt jealous of Leah's having sons, as
she was barren. She gave her slave Bilha to her husband and he had relations
with her until she became pregnant. she gave birth to a son and named him
Naphtali. Leah was vexed that Rachel's slave had give birth to a son, so she in
turn gave her slave Zilpah to Jacob (pbuh), Zilpah gave birth to two sons, Gad
and Asher. Then Leah got pregnant and gave birth to her fifth son, Issaacher,
and later she gave birth to a sixth son Zebulun. After this Leah gave birth to a
daughter named Dinah. Thus, Leah had seven sons from Jacob.
Then Rachel prayed to Allah to give her a son from Jacob. Allah
heard her call and responded to her prayer. She gave birth to a son, great,
honorable, and beautiful. She named him Joseph (Yusuf).
All of this happened when they were in the land of Haran and
Jacob (pbuh) was pasturing his uncle's sheep, which he did for a period of
twenty years.
Jacob then asked his uncle Laban to let him go and visit his
family. His uncle said to him: "I have been blessed because of you; ask for
whatever money you need." Jacob said: "Give me each spotted and speckled goat
born this year and each black lamb."
But at Laban's command his sons removed their father's goat that
were striped, spotted or speckled, and the black lambs, lest others should be
born with those traits. They walked for three days with their father's goats and
sheep while Jacob tended the remaining flock.
The People of the Book said that Jacob (pbuh) took fresh rods of
poplar, almond, and plane. HE peeled streaks in them and cast them into the
water through for the goats to look at. The young inside their abdomens were
terrified and moved and they were born striped, spotted or speckled. When the
sheep were breeding, he set their faces towards the black sheep in Laban's flock
and put the rods among them. Their lambs were born black. This was considered an
example of supernatural powers, a miracle. Jacob had many goats, sheep, beast
and slaves. His uncle and his sons faces changed as if they the sheep and goats)
had been stolen from them.
Allah the Almighty inspired Jacob to return to the country of
his father and people, and He promised to stand by him. Jacob told his family
that, and they responded and obeyed him. Jacob did not tell Laban of his plans,
however, and left without bidding farewell.
Upon leaving, Rachel stole her father's idols. After Jacob and
his people had fled for his country, Laban and his people followed them. When
Laban met with Jacob, he blamed him for leaving him without his knowledge. He
would have liked to know so that he could have made them leave with celebration
and joy, with drums and songs, and so that he could have bidden his daughters
and sons farewell. And why have they taken his idols with them?
Jacob had no knowledge of his idols, so he denied that had taken
them from him. Then Laban entered the tents of his daughters and slaves to
search, but he found nothing, for Rachel had put the idols in the camel saddle
under her. She did not get up, apologizing that she had her menses. Thus, he
could not perceive what they had done.
Then they sat on a hill called Galeed and made a covenant there.
Jacob would not ill treat Laban's daughters nor marry others. Neither Laban nor
Jacob would pass the hill into the other's country. They cooked food and their
people ate with them. Each bade the other farewell as they departed, each
returning to his own country.
When Jacob approached the land of Seir, the angels greeted him.
He sent a messenger ahead with greetings to his brother Esau, asking forgiveness
and humbling himself before him. The messenger returned greetings and told Jacob
that Esau was riding towards him with four hundred men. This made Jacob afraid
and he entreated and prayed to Allah Almighty. He prostrated in humiliation and
asked Him to fulfill His promise which He had made before. He asked Him to stop
the evil of his brother Esau. then Jacob (pbuh) prepared a great present for his
brother: two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and
twenty rams, and thirty milch camels, forty cows and two bulls, twenty female
donkeys and ten male donkeys.
He commanded his slaves to take the animals, each drove by
itself, and pass on ahead of him with a space between the droves. He instructed
them: "When you meet my brother Esau he will ask you, 'to whom do you belong?
where are you going?' you shall say, 'they belong to your servant Jacob; they
are a present to my master Esau. Moreover, he is behind us."
Jacob stayed behind with his two wives, his slaves and his
children for two nights, then continued walking by night and resting by day.
When the dawn of the second day came one of the angels appeared
in the shape of a man. Jacob began to wrestle with him. They were neck and neck
until the angel injured his thigh and Jacob became lame. When the day was
breaking, the angel said to him: 'What is your name?' He answered: 'Jacob.' The
angel said: "After today you shall not be called anything but Israel." Jacob
asked: "Who are you? What is your name?" He vanished. Then Jacob knew that he
was one of the angels. Jacob was lame, and for this reason the children of
Israel do not eat the thigh muscle on the hip socket.
Jacob raised his eyes and saw his brother Esau coming. Jacob
prostrated seven times before him for it was their salutation in that time. It
was lawful for them just as the angels had prostration in salutation to Adam.
When Esau saw him, he ran towards him, embraced and kissed him
and wept. When Esau raised his eyes and saw the women and children he asked:
"Who are these with you?" Jacob answered: "Those whom Allah has give me, your
servant." Leah, Rachel, their slaves, and all the children approached and
prostrated before him. Jacob asked Esau to accept his gift and insisted until he
did so.
Esau returned and went in advance before him. Jacob and his
family followed with the flocks and herds and slaves to the mountains (Seir).
When he came to Succoth (Sahur), he built a house for himself
and shades for his beasts. Then he passed by Jerusalem, the village of Shechem,
and camped before the village. He bought a farm from Shcehm Ibn Hamor with one
hundred goats and built an altar, which he called Ayl, as Allah commanded him.
He built the altar where Jerusalem stands today and later Solomon son of David
(pbuh) rebuilt it. It is in the place of the stone which he had earlier anointed
with oil as was mentioned before.
The people of the book tell a story of Dinah, daughter of Jacob
and Leah. Shechem Ibn Hamor seized her and lay with her by force. Then he asked
her father and brothers to let him marry her. Her brothers said : "Circumcise
all of you, and we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your
daughters for ourselves; but we do not marry with uncircumcised people." They
(the men of the city) agreed to that, and all of them were circumcised. When the
third day came, the pain from the circumcision had increased, Jacob's sons
approached and killed them till the last one. They killed Shchem and his father
for the evil they had committed against them and for their worship of idols.
That is why Jacob's sons killed them and seized their money as spoils.
Then Rachel got pregnant and gave birth to a son, Benjamin, but
she had a hard labor and died after delivery. Jacob buried her in Ephrath
(afrath). The tomb of Rachel is there till the present day. Jacob's sons were
twelve men. From Leah there were Rueben (Robil), Simon (Shamun), Levi (Lawi),
Judah (Yahudh), Issachar (isakher), and Zebulun (Zablun). From Rachel there were
Joseph (Yusuf) (pbuh) and Benjamin. From Rachel's slave there were Dan and
Naphtali (Neftali), and from Leah's slave there were Gad and Asher.
Jacob came to his father Isaac and settled with him in the
village of Hebron which lies in the land of Canaan where Abraham had lived. Then
Isaac fell ill and died when he was one hundred eighty years old. his sons Esau
and Jacob buried him with his father Abraham Al Khalil in a cave which he had
bought. It was said that Abraham died at the age of one hundred seventy five.
Allah the Almighty declared in the Glorious Quran: And who
turns away from the religion of Abraham (Islamic Monotheism) except him who
befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter
he will be among the righteous.
When his Lord said to him: "Submit (be a Muslim)!" He said: "I
have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and
all that exists)."
And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Abraham
upon his sons and by Jacob, (saying): "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the
true religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims -- Islamic
Monotheism)."
Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob? When he said
unto his sons: "What will you worship after me?" They said: "We shall worship
you (Ilah (God - Allah) the Ilah (God) of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac,
One Ilah (God), and to Him we submit (in Islam)."
That was a nation who had passed away. They shall receive the
reward of what they earned and you of what you earn. And you will not be asked
of what they used to do.
They say: "Be Jews or Christians, and then you will be guided."
Say (to them O Muhammad): "Nay (we follow) only the religion of Abraham, Hanifan
(Islamic monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone, and he was not of the
Al Mushrikeen (those who worshipped others along with Allah)."
Say (O Muslims): "We believe in Allah and that which has been
sent down to us and that which had been sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac,
Jacob and to Al Asbat (the twelve sons of Jacob), and that which has been given
to Moses and Jesus and that which has been given to the Prophets from their
Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted
(in Islam)."
So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then
they are rightly guided, but if they turn away, then they are only in
opposition. So, Allah, will suffice you against them. He is the All Hearer, the
All Knower.
(Our Sibghah, religion is) the Sibghah (religion) of Allah
(Islam) and which Sibghah (religion) can be better than Allah's. We are His
worshippers.
Say (O Muhammad, to the Jews and Christians): "Dispute you with
us about Allah while He is our Lord and your Lord? And we are to be rewarded for
our deeds and you for your deeds. We are sincere to Him in worship and obedience
(i.e., we worship Him Alone and none else, and we obey His Orders)." Or say you
that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and Al Asbat (the twelve sons of Jacob)
were Jews or Christians? Say: "Do you know better or does Allah know
better....that they all were Muslims? And who is more unjust than he who
conceals the testimony (to believe in the Prophet Muhammad, when he comes
written in their books) he has from Allah? Allah is not unaware of what you do."(Ch
2:130-140 Quran)
In another surah Almighty Allah declared: O People of the
Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Abraham, while the
Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense?
Verily, you are those who have disputed about that of which you have no
knowledge. Why do then dispute concerning that which you have no knowledge? It
is Allah Who knows, and you know not.
Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true
Muslim Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism), to worship none but Allah Alone and he was
not of the polytheists (he joined none in worship with Allah).
Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are
those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who have believed
(Muslims). And Allah is the Wali (Protector and Helper) of the believers.(Ch
3:65-68 Quran)
Allah the Exalted also affirmed: Then verily! Your Lord for
those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient to Allah) in ignorance and
afterward repent and do righteous deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter to such is
Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Verily, Abraham was an Ummah (a leader having all the good
righteous qualities or a nation), obedient to Allah, Hanifan (to worship none
but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al Mushrikeen (polytheists,
idolaters, disbeliveers in the Oneness of Allah and those who joined partners
with Allah). He was thankful for His (Allah's) Graces. He (Allah) chose him (as
an intimate friend) and guided him to a Straight Path (Islamic Monotheism,
neither Judaism or Christianity). We gave him good in this world and in the
Hereafter he shall be of the righteous. Then, We have inspired you (O Muhammad
saying): "Follow the religion of Abraham Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism to worship
none but Allah) and he was not of the Mushrikeen (polytheists, pagans,
idolaters, disbeliveers in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger Muhammad,
those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals with or partners to
Allah)." (Ch 16:119-123 Quran)
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