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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Janab Burhan sb. Assalam Alaikum,

May Allah give you health and knowledge to serve Islam, ameen.

My question is regarding Idul-Adha. Did Ismael A.S knew when Ibrahim A.S was taking him for sacrifice. Did he told his dream to his son or not?

Is there is any ayat related to this incident in Quran. Can you tell me any hadeeth which describe this incident fully, as there are many verdicts

among people on this incident.

Accept my greetings for happy and blessed Eid, Insha Allah. Thanks a lot

Regards

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Answer:

Did Ismail (a.s.) know he was going to be sacrificed

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Did Ismael A.S knew when Ibrahim A.S was taking him for sacrifice. Did he told his dream to his son or not? Is there is any ayat related to this incident in Quran.

Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.) did indeed explain to Prophet Ismail (a.s.) that he had seen a dream whereby he was sacrificing his only son. And the righteous son of a righteous father, told Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.) to comply with their Lord’s command, and the noble son comforted his father by declaring, that if Allah Willed, he would remain patient and steadfast in this great trial.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 37 Surah Saafaat verses 100-112:

(Ibraheem prayed): “O my Lord! Grant me a Righteous Son.” (In answer to the prayer) We gave him the good news of a Gentle (Clement) son. When the boy reached the age to work with him, (one day) Ibraheem said to him, “O my son! I have dreamt that I am sacrificing you!. Now tell me what you think of it.” He said, “O my father! Do as you are being commanded. You will find me, if Allah so Wills, of the patient”. So when the two had submitted themselves (to Allah), and Ibraheem had laid his son down on his brow (for sacrifice), We called out: “O Ibraheem! You have indeed fulfilled your vision!” Thus do We reward the righteous. This was indeed a manifest trial. And We ransomed his son for a Great Sacrifice (by substituting a ram for the sacrifice), and left for him (Ibraheem) praise among generations (to come) in later times. Peace and Salutations to Ibraheem. Thus do we reward the righteous! Indeed, he was one of Our believing servants. And We gave him the good news of Ishaaq, a Prophet, one of the righteous.

Your Question: Can you tell me any hadeeth which describe this incident fully, as there are many verdicts among people on this incident.
The incident of the Great Sacrifice and Trial of Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.) and Prophet Ismail (a.s.) is so well related by Allah Subhanah in the Glorious Quran, that there can be absolutely no doubts about it. There are not many hadiths describing the events of the sacrifice, as it has already been aptly described in detail in the Glorious Quran.

There are some ignorant people, especially amongst the Christians and the Jews (and unfortunately even some mis-guided muslims) who claim that the son being offered for sacrifice was not Prophet Ismail (a.s.), but rather it was Prophet Ishaaq (a.s.)! In light of the above clear aayahs of the Holy Quran, there is absolutely no doubt that it was Prophet Ismail (a.s.) who was being commanded to be sacrificed; and only after this Great Trial, was the news of the birth of Prophet Ishaaq (a.s.) given to Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.).

Prophet Ishaaq (a.s.) was not even born when this whole event took place!

If you need any further clarifications, please do not hesitate to write to us.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan