Ismael عليه السلام and his wives

So yesterday we discussed Ibrahim AS and his noble family and the sacrifice they made when he left them in the barren land and how Allah came to their aid and the lesson was their family was split because of the command of Allah and therefore they tasted the direct help of Allah.

Today we take a look at Ismael AS and the relationship with his wives.

The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said:

“After Ismael’s mother had died, Ibrahim came after Ismael’s marriage in order to see his family that he had left before, but he did not find Ismael there. When he asked Ismael’s wife about him, she replied: ‘He has gone in search of our livelihood.’ Then he asked her about their way of living and their condition, and she replied: ‘We are living in misery; we are living in hardship and destitution,’ complaining to him. He said, ‘When your husband returns, convey my salutation to him and tell him to change the threshold of the gate (of his house).’

“When Ismael came, he seemed to have felt something unusual, so he asked his wife: ‘Has anyone visited you?’ She replied: Yes, an old man of such-and-such description came and asked me about you, and I informed him, and he asked about our state of living, and I told him that we were living in hardship and poverty.’ On that Ismael said: ‘Did he advise you anything?’ She replied: Yes, he told me to convey his salutation to you and to tell you to change the threshold of your gate.’ Ismael said: ‘It was my father, and he has ordered me to divorce you. Go back to your family.’ So, Ismael divorced her and married another woman from among them (i.e. Jurhum).

‘Then Ibrahim stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them again but did not find Ismael. So he came to Ismael’s wife and asked her about Ismael. She said: ‘He has gone in search of our livelihood.’ Ibrahim asked her: ‘How are you getting on?’ asking her about their sustenance and living. She replied: ‘We are prosperous and well-off (i.e. we have everything in abundance).’ Then she thanked Allah. Ibrahim said: ‘What kind of food do you eat?’ She said: ‘Meat.’ He said: ‘What do you drink?’ She said: ‘Water.’ He said: ‘O Allah! Bless their meat and water.”‘

The Prophet ﷺ added: “At that time they did not have grain, and if they had had grain, he would have also invoked Allah to bless it. If somebody has only these two things as his sustenance, his health and disposition will be badly affected, unless he lives in Mecca.”

The Prophet ﷺ continued: ‘then Ibrahim said to Ismael’s wife: ‘When your husband comes, give my regards to him and tell him that he should keep firm the threshold of his gate.’

When Ismael came back, he asked his wife: ‘Did anyone call on you?’ She replied: Yes, a good-looking old man came to me,’ so she praised him and added: ‘He asked about you and I informed him, and he asked about our livelihood and I told him that we were in a good condition.’ Ismael asked her: ‘Did he give you any piece of advice?’ She said: Yes, he told me to give his regards to you and ordered that you should keep firm the threshold of your gate.’ On that Ismael said: ‘It was my father, and you are the threshold (of the gate). He has ordered me to keep you with me.’

The Prophet ﷺ thereafter said: “Because of Ibrahim’s invocation, there are blessings (in Mecca).”

Lesson to Learn:
At the top of every family are the parents, There needs to be sound understanding and excellent communication between them in order for the family to thrive. There also needs to be appreciation for each other and for things that they do and provide in order for their marriage to be happy and stable.