Ishaq (Isaac)

Ishaq is the second son of Ibrahim, born of Sara, and the brother of Isma'il. His birth was announced to his aged parents as glad tidings. From his descendants will come many prophets, including Ya'qub, Yusuf, and Musa.

Ishaq's coming was announced to Ibrahim and Sara by messengers of God, when they had reached a great age and no longer hoped for a child. Sara marvelled at this, but God's promise was fulfilled.

Ishaq grew up near his father in the land of Sham, inheriting his faith and continuing the call to the oneness of God. The Quran describes him as a servant endowed with strength and insight.

God blessed him and his descendants, making him an essential link in the chain of prophets.

Ishaq teaches that God's promise is fulfilled in its time, even when all human hope seems extinguished, and that blessing is passed on through the faithfulness of one generation to the next.

وَامْرَأَتُهُ قَائِمَةٌ فَضَحِكَتْ فَبَشَّرْنَاهَا بِإِسْحَاقَ وَمِن وَرَاءِ إِسْحَاقَ يَعْقُوبَ

La femme d’Abraham, debout non loin de là, se mit à rire au moment où Nous lui annonçâmes la naissance d’Isaac, suivie de celle de Jacob.

11:71