is known as the patriarch of the Israelite people through Isaac, the son born to him and Sarah in their old age and the patriarch of Arabs through his son Ishmael, born to Abraham and Hagar-his wife Sarah’s Egyptian slave-girl. Although Abraham's forefathers were from southern Mesopotamia according to the biblical narrative, Yahweh led Abraham on a journey to the land of Canaan, which he promised to his children.
Biblical narrative
Abram and Sarah prospered materially but had no children. Abram thought to leave his estate to a trusted servant, but God promised him a son and heir. When he was 86 years old, Sarah suggested and Abram agreed that a practical way to have a child was through Sarah’s servant Hagar. Hagar conceived right away and in time Ishmael was born. This situation brought strife rather than happiness between Hagar and Sarah. Nevertheless, God saw Hagar’s suffering and promised that although this was not the child promised to Abram, he would nevertheless make Ishmael’s descendants into a great nation also. In Genesis chapter 17 "Almighty God" changed Abram’s name to Abraham, for he would be a father of many nations. And his wife Sarah's name was called Sarah, for she would be a mother of nations. Three visitors came to Abraham and said that he would have a son. Sarah believed she was too old to have a child and laughed. Yet she did conceive and had a baby named Isaac. After the death of his mother, Sarah, Isaac married Rebekah. Abraham then married Keturah, who bore him six more sons – Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah.
Family tree
The following is a family tree for the descendants of the line of Noah's son Shem, through Abraham to Jacob and his sons. Dashed lines are marriage connections.
Quranic narrative
The family members and descendants of Abraham are called aal-Ibrahim, figuratively "The Abraham". As per: فَقَدْ آتَيْنَا آلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَآتَيْنَاهُم مُّلْكًا عَظِيمًا... Other sources, particularly the widely accepted Hadith, also gives references to the Family of Abraham:
Tafsir Al-Tabari: aal-Abraham are the believers, based on a narrative related to Ibn Abbas of the verse: "Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the worlds" V.33, S.3. He explained: They are the believers of the family of Abraham, the family of Imran, the family of Yaseen, and the family of Muhammad, then quoted the verse: "Indeed, the most worthy of Abraham among the people are those who followed him and this prophet, and those who believe . And Allah is the ally of the believers." V.68, S.3. They are the believers.
Tafsir Al-Baghawi: Aal Abraham referred to Abraham himself, and has been also said that Aal Abraham are Ismael, Ishaq, Ya'qub, and Al-Asbat adding that Muhammad is one of Aal Abraham.
Based on these interpretations, Aal Abraham are:
His wife, Sarah, since the Angels addressed her using the term meaning, the people of the house in the verse: They said, "Are you amazed at the decree of Allah? May the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, people of the house." Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Honorable.""V.73, S.11
His son Ismael
His son Ishaq
His grandson Ya'qub
His nephew Lut
Al-Asbat
Yusuf
Musa
Harun
Dawud
Sulaiman
Ayub
Al-Yas'
Yunus
Zakariya
Yahya
Imran
Maryam
Isa
Iliyas
Muhammad
These are Aal Ibrahim added to them all the believers among the descendants of Abraham. "And that was Our argument which We gave Abraham against his people. We raise by degrees whom We will. Indeed, your Lord is Wise and Knowing. And We gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - all We guided. And Noah, We guided before; and among his descendants, David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward the doers of good. And Zechariah and John and Jesus and Elias - and all were of the righteous. And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot - and all We preferred over the worlds. And among their fathers and their descendants and their brothers - and We chose them and We guided them to a straight path." Vs.83-87 S.6
