Is Ishmael related to Muhammad? The truth about Ishmael in Islam

When Christians study Islam to learn about this religion, we often bring in assumptions that are based on tradition and what Muslims claim in the media instead of true history. For example, many modern Christians are under the impression that Ishmael is the ancestor of Muhammad and the father of all Arabs; therefore, they are led to think Muhammad and Islam are connected to Abrahamic religions.

The relationship between Ishmael and Muhammad is misunderstood by many Muslims and Christians alike – most believe Ishmael is the direct ancestor of Muhammad.

It is true, Islam claims that Ishmael is one of Allah’s prophets. But the stories of Ishmael in the Quran are twisted versions of the biblical stories about the firstborn son of Abraham, changed to fit their narratives and understanding of Allah and Islam.

To find out the truth, let’s first examine what the Quran says about Ishmael and then compare it to his life in the Bible.

Who is Ishmael in the Quran? Who is Ishmael in Islam?

Ishmael is a prophet in the Quran

“And mention in the Book O Prophet, the story of Ishmael. He was truly a man of his word, and was a messenger and a prophet.” Surah 19:54

The Quran mentions Ishmael (or Ismael, Ismail, etc), the firstborn son of Abraham, multiple times. It claims that he was one of the prophets of Allah, alongside his father and brother, Abraham and Isaac. These two men are both patriarchs in the covenant between the God of the Bible, Yahweh, and Israel, according to the Bible. Ishmael was not included in this covenant.

Ishmael’s mother, Hagar, in Islam

There is a misunderstanding by many that the Quran includes Hagar and Ishmael’s story of being sent off into the desert, similar to the one in the Bible. However, this is only found in secondary sources. In fact, Hagar’s name is not mentioned even once in the Quran. The only verse that alludes to this incident in the Quran is what Abraham is claimed to have said in Surah 14:37, 39 “Our Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley, near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish prayer… All praise is for Allah who has blessed me with Ishmael and Isaac in my old age. My Lord is indeed the Hearer of all prayers.”

It is believed that this first mention of family in a barren valley refers to Hagar in the desert. This is a major part of Islam’s rituals during the hajj pilgrimage, based on the hadith story about Hagar. You can learn more about how integral Hagar’s experiences are for hajj here: What Christians need to know about Islam's mandatory pilgrimage, Hajj 

Was Ishmael sacrificed by Abraham?

Muslims claim that Abraham was asked by Allah to sacrifice his son Ishmael although in the Quran the name of Ishamel was never mentioned. Surah 37: 102-109 tells the story of Abraham (Ibrahim in the Quran) coming to Ishmael and claiming Allah has told him to sacrifice him on an altar. In the story, his son agrees to this, even telling his father to comfort his mother when he is dead and laying face down so his father didn’t have to look him in the eyes when he would slit his throat. 

The story ends with Allah halting Abraham before he can hurt his son, providing a “great sacrifice” of an animal to take his son’s place. It is important to note, the son is never given a name in the Quran, so it is not stated that it is Ishmael, but that is the common belief by Muslims.

Ishmael built the Kaaba according to Islam

The Quran states, in Surah 2:127-128, that Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba, the big black cube in Mecca where millions of Muslims pilgrimage every year. This is another way the Quran tries to connect itself to Ishmael.

Is Ishmael the ancestor of Muhammad?

Many Muslims believe and claim that Muhammad is a direct descendant of Ishmael based on a genealogy written by Ibn Ishaq in the 8th century A.D. (source) Ibn Ishaq states that Muhammad came from the Ishmaelite tribe that lived in the Sinai Peninsula and the Fertile Crescent.

Supposedly, the Yemeni tribe that Muhammad descended from was connected to the Ishmaelite tribe, but there is a problem. The Yemeni tribe could never have been in contact or related to the Ishmaelite tribes, because they were in Yemen when the Ishmaelites ceased to exist. There is no point in time when both families would’ve been in the Sinai region at the same time. Historically, it is impossible for Muhammad to be related to Ishmael. (source)

In order to prove Muhammad was related to Ishmael, there would have to be historical proof over 2,000 years of documented genealogies – this only exists for one person: Jesus Christ. The line of David is the only family that accounts for their ancestors over 2,000 years, and God uses this to prove the Messianic prophecies fulfilled by Christ.

Why would Muhammad want to be connected to Ishmael?

By connecting himself to Ishmael, Muhammad connects himself to Abraham, and can further convince his followers that he is the chosen prophet of Abraham’s God, Yahweh. This was his goal: to convince the Jews and Christians that he was the newest prophet from their god.

Unfortunately for Muhammad, it would be impossible for him to be related to Ishmael. He tried to claim that Islam was also an Abrahamic religion – we’ve covered this in a free resource for you. Because of the vast character differences and inconsistencies, Muhammad’s Allah could not be the same as the God of the Bible.

What does the Bible say about Ishmael?

The Bible’s accounts about Ishmael are found in Genesis 16, 17, and 21. He is the offspring of Abraham and Hagar. After Sarah doubted God’s ability to fulfill His promise by providing a son through her own womb, she offered her slave, Hagar, to Abraham to bear him a son.

The Bible does include the story of Hagar in the wilderness, and the Lord talks to her, making a promise to her about her son’s offspring. This is where many Muslims draw their understanding and beliefs about Hagar and Ishmael, even when it is not in the Quran.

“What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Genesis 21:17-18

How can Christians talk about Ishmael with their Muslim friends?

When talking about the Quran and your friend’s beliefs, you have to be respectful. You should not blatantly attack their beliefs and tell them how incorrect the Quran is and claim that Muhammad lied. In fact, it is essential to never speak poorly of Muhammad to a Muslim, because he is core to their entire faith.

However, if your Muslim friend tries to say that they follow the same God as you or explain how their religion is similar to Christianity, then you can respectfully share the character of God in the Bible. Show how He is the Heavenly Father and the God of Love that distinguishes Him from all other gods.

If a Muslim brings up the topic of Ishmael, you can gently point out that the Quran never says the name of Abraham's son who was sacrificed. The Bible, written centuries before the Quran, affirms it was Isaac who was going to be the ancestor of Israel’s Messiah who would fulfill God’s covenant with Abraham.

In the Bible, Abraham offered up Isaac as commanded by God in faith, because he had been told, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” Abraham let his obedience to God come first, and God rewarded him.

Do not forget, your job is never to prove you are right. Your job is loving your neighbor and proclaiming the gospel! The topic of Ishmael is not core to anyone's relationship with God, but sharing the truth can prompt your Muslim friend to examine Islam more closely. If this topic comes up, you can use it to point to the historical accuracy we have about who Jesus is and how His proven ancestry fulfills prophecies!