Jacob in Islam

Yaqub
يَعْقُوب
Jacob
Resting placeCave of the Patriarchs, Hebron
Other namesIsrail (إِسْرَآءِیْل)
PredecessorIshaq
SuccessorYusuf
Spouse(s)Leʼa
Rahil
Children12, including Yusuf and Binyamin
Parents
  • Ishaq (father)
  • Rafqa (mother)

Yaqub ibn Ishaq ibn Ibrahim ibn Azar (Arabic: يَعْقُوب ابْنُ إِسْحَٰق ابْنُ إِبْرَاهِيْمُ ابْنُ آزَر [jaʕquːb ʔibn ʔisħaːq ʔibn ʔibraːhiːm ʔibn ʔaːzar], transl.Jacob, son of Isaac, the son of Abraham), later given the name Israil (إِسْرَآءِیْل, transl. 'Israel'), is recognized by Muslims as an Islamic prophet. He is held to have preached the same monotheism as his forefathers: Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac.

Jacob is mentioned sixteen times in the Quran.[1] Two further references to "Israil" are believed to be mentions of Jacob.[2] In the majority of these references, Jacob, identified as a son of Isaac, is mentioned alongside fellow Hebrews as an ancient and pious prophet who stayed in the "company of the elect"[3][4] and asserted the tawhid (The oneness of God) throughout his life. In Islam, as in Judaism and Christianity, it is stated that Jacob had twelve sons, who went on to father the Twelve Tribes of Israel.[5] Jacob plays a significant role in the story of his son Joseph.[6] The Quran further makes it clear that God made a covenant with Jacob,[7] and that Jacob was made a faithful leader by divine command. His grandfather Abraham, his father Isaac, his uncle Ishmael, and his son Joseph are all recognized as Islamic prophets.[8]

  1. ^ "Jacob", Encyclopaedia of Islam Vol. XI, p.254.
  2. ^ Jane Dammen McAuliffe (General Editor) Encyclopaedia of the Qur’an Volume Three : J-O
  3. ^ Quran 38:47
  4. ^ Quran 21:75
  5. ^ Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, C. Glasse, Children of Israel
  6. ^ Quran, surah Yusuf (Chapter of Joseph)
  7. ^ Quran 12:80
  8. ^ Quran 21:73

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