Prophet Yaqub (Jacob)
c. 18th century BCE (Islamic and Biblical tradition).
Yaqub (Jacob) was a prophet, the son of Ishaq and father of the twelve tribes of the Children of Israel. His most beloved son was Yusuf; when his brothers threw Yusuf into the well and claimed a wolf had devoured him, Yaqub was overcome with grief but remained patient and trusted in Allah. He taught his children to worship Allah alone. When Yusuf became a ruler in Egypt and the family was reunited, Yaqub's sight was restored. On his deathbed he asked his sons what they would worship after him; they affirmed worship of the God of Ibrahim, Isma'il and Ishaq—One God. He was buried in Palestine with his forefathers.
Isaac married Rebekah bint Bethuel ibn Nahor, and she gave birth to a set of twins, Esau (al-'Eis) and Jacob (Yaqub). The People of the Book said that when Isaac was forty years old he married Rebekah during his father's life; they said she was sterile, so Isaac prayed to Allah and then she became pregnant. She gave birth to twin boys. The first was called Esau (whom the Arabs called al-'Eis; he became the father of Rum). The second was called Jacob, which means Israel (belonging to the people of Israel). Ill feelings developed between the two brothers when they grew into manhood. Esau disliked the fact that Jacob was favoured by his father and by Allah with prophethood. This ill feeling became so serious that Esau threatened to kill his brother. Fearing for his life, Jacob fled the country.
In this story
- Isaac’s sons — Jacob and Esau
- Jacob’s promise
- Yaqub and his sons
- Yaqub’s last wish (from the Quran)
Where the Quran tells it
- Yusuf 12
- Al-Baqarah 2:132-133
- Al-An'am 6:84
- Aal Imran 3:93