View source for Jacob in Islam

{{Short description|Islamic view of Jacob}}
{{redirect2|Yaqub|Yacoub|other uses|Yakub}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix   = [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|Prophet]]
| name               = Yaqub<br />{{nobold|{{Lang|ar|{{Script/Arabic|يَعْقُوب}}|rtl=yes}}}}<br>[[Jacob]]
| image              = Prophet Yaqub Name.svg
| other_names        = Israil ({{Lang|ar|{{Script/Arabic|إِسْرَآءِیْل}}|rtl=yes}})
| resting_place      = [[Cave of the Patriarchs]], [[Hebron]]
| children           = 12, including Yusuf and [[Benjamin#In Islam|Binyamin]]
| parents            = {{hlist|Ishaq (father)|[[Rebecca|Rafqa]] (mother)}}
| predecessor        = [[Isaac in Islam|Ishaq]]
| successor          = [[Joseph in Islam|Yusuf]]
| spouse             = [[Leah|Leʼa]]<br />[[Rachel#In Islam|Rahil]]
| relatives          = 
}}
{{Islamic prophets|Prophets in the Quran}}
{{Islam}}

'''Yaqub ibn Ishaq ibn Ibrahim ibn Azar''' ({{Langx|ar|يَعْقُوب ابْنُ إِسْحَٰق ابْنُ إِبْرَاهِيْمُ ابْنُ آزَر}} {{IPA|ar|jaʕquːb ʔibn ʔisħaːq ʔibn ʔibraːhiːm ʔibn ʔaːzar|}}, {{Translation|[[Jacob]], son of [[Isaac in Islam|Isaac]], the son of [[Abraham in Islam|Abraham]]}}), later given the name '''Israil''' ({{Lang|ar|إِسْرَآءِیْل|rtl=yes}}, {{Translation|'[[Israel (name)|Israel]]'}}), is recognized by [[Muslims]] as an [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|Islamic prophet]]. He is held to have preached the same monotheism as his forefathers: [[Abraham in Islam|Abraham]], [[Ishmael in Islam|Ishmael]], and [[Isaac in Islam|Isaac]].

Jacob is mentioned sixteen times in the [[Quran]].<ref name="Encyclopedia of Islam 254">"Jacob", ''[[Encyclopaedia of Islam]]'' Vol. XI, p.254.</ref> Two further references to "Israil" are believed to be mentions of Jacob.<ref>[[Jane Dammen McAuliffe]] (General Editor) [[Encyclopaedia of the Qur’an]] Volume Three : J-O</ref> 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"<ref>{{qref|38|47|b=y}}</ref><ref>{{qref|21|75|b=y}}</ref> 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]].<ref>''Concise Encyclopedia of Islam'', C. Glasse, ''Children of Israel''</ref> Jacob plays a significant role in the story of his son [[Joseph in Islam|Joseph]].<ref>Quran, [[Yusuf (sura)|surah Yusuf]] (''Chapter of Joseph'')</ref> The Quran further makes it clear that [[God in Islam|God]] made a covenant with Jacob,<ref>{{qref|12|80|b=y}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{qref|21|73|b=y}}</ref>

== In the Quran ==
Jacob is mentioned by name in the Quran sixteen times.<ref name="NoegelWheeler2010" /> Although many of these verses praise him rather than recount an instance from his narrative, the Quran nonetheless records several significant events from his life. In [[Islamic culture]] and [[Islamic literature|literature]],<ref>''[[Qisas Al-Anbiya]]'' (''Stories of the Prophets''), [[Ibn Kathir]]/[[Kisa'i]], ''Story of Isaac and Jacob''</ref> the earliest event involving Jacob in the Quran is that of the [[Islamic view of angels|angels]] giving "glad tidings" to Abraham and [[Sarah]] of the future birth of a prophetic son by the name of Isaac as well as a prophetic grandson by the name of Jacob.<ref name="q1949">{{qref|19|49|b=y}}</ref> The Quran states:
{{Blockquote|So after he had left them and what they worshipped besides Allah, We granted him Isaac and Jacob, and made each of them a prophet.|{{qref|19|49|c=y}}}}

The Quran also mentions that Abraham taught the faith of pure monotheism to his sons, Ishmael and Isaac, as well as Jacob. The Quran records Abraham telling Ishmael, Isaac and Jacob: "Oh my sons! God hath chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the Faith of Islam."<ref>{{qref|2|132|b=y}}</ref> The Quran also mentions the gifts given to Jacob as well as the strength of his faith, which became stronger as he became older. The Quran mentions that Jacob was "guided";<ref>{{qref|6|84|b=y}}</ref> given "knowledge";<ref name="Q12:86">{{qref|12|86|b=y}}</ref> "inspired";<ref>{{qref|3|163|b=y}}</ref> and was given a "tongue of truthfulness to be heard".<ref>{{qref|19|50|b=y}}</ref> The Quran later states the following regarding Jacob:

{{Blockquote|And We blessed him with Isaac ˹as a son˺ and Jacob ˹as a grandson˺, as an additional favour—making all of them righteous. <br />We ˹also˺ made them leaders, guiding by Our command, and inspired them to do good deeds, establish prayer, and pay alms-tax. And they were devoted to Our worship.|{{qref|21|72-73|c=y}}}}

{{Blockquote|And remember Our servants: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the men of strength and insight.<br />We truly chose them for the honour of proclaiming the Hereafter.<br />And in Our sight they are truly among the chosen and the finest.|{{qref|38|45-47|c=y}}}}

=== Jacob and his sons ===
Jacob's next significant mention in the Quran is in the narrative of the surah [[Yusuf (sura)|Yusuf]]. Joseph's story in the Quran opens with a dream that Joseph had one night, after which he ran to his father Jacob, saying: "Behold! Joseph said to his father: "O my father! I did see eleven planets and the sun and the moon: I saw them prostrate themselves to me!" "<ref>{{qref|12|4|b=y}}</ref> Jacob's face filled with delight at what he had heard from the young Joseph, and the ageing prophet immediately understood what the dream meant. Jacob could foresee that his son would grow up to be the next prophet in the line of Abraham and it would be Joseph who would keep the message of Islam alive in the coming years. Jacob's older sons, however, felt that their father loved Joseph and [[Benjamin]], Jacob's youngest son, more than them. Jacob knew about their jealousy and warned the young Joseph about it.<ref>{{qref|12|5|b=y}}</ref> Joseph's ten older brothers then decided to kill him. As the Quran narrates their discussion:

{{Blockquote|˹Remember˺ when they said ˹to one another˺, “Surely Joseph and his brother ˹Benjamin˺ are more beloved to our father than we, even though we are a group of so many. Indeed, our father is clearly mistaken. <br />Kill Joseph or cast him out to some ˹distant˺ land so that our father’s attention will be only ours, then after that you may ˹repent and˺ become righteous people!”|{{qref|12|8-9|c=y}}}}

One of the brothers (usually understood to be [[Reuben (Bible)|Reuben]]<ref>Abdullah Yusuf Ali's ''[[tafsir]]'' on surah Yusuf</ref>) however, felt that instead of slaying Joseph(Yusuf) they should instead drop him into a well, so that a caravan may come and pick him up.<ref>{{qref|12|10|b=y}}</ref> Thus, they asked their father whether they could take the young Joseph out to play with them, on the condition that they would keep watch over him. Although Jacob feared that a [[Joseph in Islam#The plot against Joseph|wolf would devour his son]],<ref>{{qref|12|13|b=y}}</ref> the rebellious older sons forcefully took Joseph away and threw him into the well.<ref>{{qref|12|15|b=y}}</ref> When the sons came back to Jacob that night, they pretended to weep and they further told him that the wolf had devoured Joseph. To trick their father, they stained Joseph's(Yusuf) shirt with false blood,<ref name="Q12:18">{{qref|12|18|b=y}}</ref> but Jacob, who had been gifted with knowledge, knew this was a false concoction that they had devised. Although Jacob did worry over the loss of Joseph, he remained steadfast to God throughout his grief.<ref name="Q12:18"/>

As the years passed, the young Joseph grew up into a man in Egypt; Jacob, meanwhile, was back at home in [[Canaan]], where his sons would constantly bother him about his repeated praying to God for the return of Joseph(Yusuf).<ref>{{qref|12|85|b=y}}</ref> Although Jacob frequently complained to God<ref name="Q12:86"/> it was never for God's doings, but out of the distractions of his mind and his occasional breaking out of the bounds of patience he had set for himself. He constantly ignored the wicked taunting of his sons, forgave them, and tried to give them sound advice.<ref>{{qref|12|87|b=y}}</ref> One day, Jacob decided to send his sons on an errand, telling them to go to Egypt in search of Joseph and [[Benjamin]]. His sons, for the first time, listened to him and departed for Egypt. When one of Jacob's sons returned to Canaan with the good news of Joseph and Benjamin in Egypt, he came with a shirt that Joseph had given him, which he had told him to cast over their father's face,<ref>{{qref|12|93|b=y}}: Go with this shirt of mine and cast it over my father’s face, and he will regain his sight. Then come back to me with your whole family.”</ref> to remove Jacob's blindness and grief. Thus, the son followed the instructions and did as Joseph said, restoring Jacob's physical and mental vision.

Once Jacob's sight had been restored, the whole family began their trek to Egypt, to meet Joseph and the other sons again. Once they arrived, the father and son met each other with great love and were reunited in peace once again. The now powerful Joseph provided a home for his parents with himself and, as the Quran says, raised them high on a 'throne of dignity'.<ref>{{qref|12|100|b=y}}: Then he raised his parents to the throne, and they all fell down in prostration to Joseph, who then said, “O my dear father! This is the interpretation of my old dream. My Lord has made it come true. He was truly kind to me when He freed me from prison, and brought you all from the desert after Satan had ignited rivalry between me and my siblings. Indeed my Lord is subtle in fulfilling what He wills. Surely He ˹alone˺ is the All-Knowing, All-Wise.”</ref> It was now that the whole family, together, could turn to God through the prophetic offices of both Jacob and Joseph.

==== Jacob's last advice to his people ====
The whole of the Children of Israel were called to bow down to faith in Islam (''Submission to God'') before Jacob died. Jacob wanted to make sure that his children die only in Islam, and, therefore, took one last promise from them. When he asked them who they would worship after his death, they replied that they would continue in Islam and bow down to and worship God.<ref>{{qref|2|133|b=y}}</ref> Although the death-bed scene relates to Jewish tradition, and mentioned in the [[Book of Genesis]], the Quran mentions it to emphasize the notion that Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob were all Muslims, as they bowed down in full faith to God and God alone. The Quran narrates:

{{Blockquote|This was the advice of Abraham—as well as Jacob—to his children, ˹saying˺, “Indeed, Allah has chosen for you this faith; so do not die except in ˹a state of full˺ submission.” <br />Or did you witness when death came to Jacob? He asked his children, “Who will you worship after my passing?” They replied, “We will ˹continue to˺ worship your God, the God of your forefathers—Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac—the One God. And to Him we ˹all˺ submit.”|{{qref|2|132-133|c=y}}}}

== Prophetic legacy ==
Jacob is very special in Islam for carrying on the legacy left by his forefathers. Muslims believe God bestowed His utmost grace upon Jacob and chose him to be among the most exalted men. The Quran frequently mentions Jacob as a man of might and vision and stresses he was of the company of the good and elect. As the Quran says:

{{Blockquote|This was the argument We gave Abraham against his people. We elevate in rank whoever We please. Surely your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing.<br />And We blessed him with Isaac and Jacob. We guided them all as We previously guided Noah and those among his descendants: David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. This is how We reward the good-doers.|{{qref|6|83-84|c=y}}}}

[[Ali ibn Abi Talib]], when asked about the prophets who were bestowed special names, narrates in [[Hadith]] that Ya'qub ibn Ishaq was known by his people as Isra'il.<ref name = Qaim2007>{{cite book|last1=Qai'm|first1=Mahdi Muntazir|title=Jesus Through the Qur'an and Shi'ite Narrations|date=2007|publisher=Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an|location=Queens, New York|isbn=978-1879402140|page=26|edition=Bilingual}}</ref>

Instances in the [[Bible]] involving Jacob wrestling with an angel are not mentioned in the Quran, but are discussed in Muslim commentaries, as is the vision of [[Jacob's Ladder]].<ref name="NoegelWheeler2010">{{cite book|last1=Noegel |first1=Scott B. |author2=Brannon M. Wheeler |title=The A to Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-1-4617-1895-6 |pages=160–162 |chapter=Jacob |date=April 2010 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lNAWAgAAQBAJ&pg=160}}</ref><ref name=IbnKathir>{{cite web |author=Ibn Kathir |title=The Story of Ya'qub (Jacob) |work=The Stories of the Prophets |url=http://sunnahonline.com/library/stories-of-the-prophets/296-story-of-prophet-yaqub| access-date=24 June 2017}}</ref> Jacob tricking Isaac into blessing him by impersonating his twin, [[Esau]], is also not in the Quran, but is in Muslim commentaries.<ref name="NoegelWheeler2010" />

Muslims, who do believe Jacob was a great patriarch, stress the belief that Jacob's main importance lay in his great submission to God and his firm faith in the right religion. As a patriarch, Jacob, alongside Abraham, may be the most fruitful according to tradition. From his twelve sons{{efn|For the twelve sons, see [[Simeon (Hebrew Bible)|Simeon]], [[Issachar]], [[Zebulun]], [[Levi]], [[Judah (biblical person)|Judah]], [[Reuben (Bible)|Reuben]], [[Dan (Bible)|Dan]], [[Asher]], [[Naphtali]], [[Gad (son of Jacob)|Gad]], [[Joseph (son of Jacob)|Joseph]] and [[Benjamin]]}} were to come many other great prophets, including [[Jonah]], ([[David in Islam|David]]), [[Solomon in Islam|Solomon]], and [[Jesus in Islam|Jesus]].

==Tomb in Hebron==
[[File:Palestine Hebron Cave of the Patriarchs.jpg|thumb|The [[Cave of the Patriarchs]] in [[Hebron]], in [[Palestine]], which is said to include the tomb of Jacob.]]

Jacob is believed by Muslims and Jews alike to be buried in the [[Cave of the Patriarchs]] (known by Muslims as the ''Sanctuary of Abraham''). The compound, located in the city of [[Hebron]], is the second holiest site for [[Jews]] (after the [[Temple Mount]] in [[Jerusalem]]), and is also venerated by [[Christians]] and Muslims, both of whom have traditions that maintain that the site is the burial place of three Biblical couples: Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and [[Rebecca]], and Jacob and [[Leah]].

== Quranic references to Jacob ==
*Appraisals for Jacob: {{qref|6|84|b=yl}}, {{qref|19|50}}, {{qref|21|72-73}}, {{qref|38|45-47}}
*Jacob's prophecy: {{qref|4|163|b=yl}}, {{qref|6|84}}, {{qref|12|6}}, {{qref|19|49}}, {{qref|21|73}}
*Jacob's preaching {{qref|2|132-133|b=yl}}, {{qref|2|136}}, {{qref|2|140}}, {{qref|3|84}}, {{qref|21|73}}
*Food refusal: {{qref|3|93|b=yl}}
*Love for Joseph: {{qref|12|8|b=yl}}, {{qref|12|13}}, {{qref|12|84-85}}, {{qref|12|94-95}}
*Jacob's attributes: {{qref|12|86|b=yl}}, {{qref|12|96}}, {{qref|38|44}}
*Jacob's family: {{qref|2|136|b=yl}}, {{qref|2|149}}, {{qref|3|84}}, {{qref|4|163}}, {{qref|7|160}}

== See also ==
* [[Biblical and Quranic narratives]]
* ''[[Qisas al-Anbiya]]'' (''Stories of The Prophets'')
* ''[[Yakub (Nation of Islam)]]''

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|35em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite encyclopedia |title=Jacob |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia of Islam]], THREE |publisher=Brill |url=http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/jacob-COM_32670 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |last=Tottoli |first=Roberto |issn=1573-3912}}
* ''The Concise Encyclopedia Of Islam'', Cyril Glasse

{{Prophets in the Quran}}
{{Characters and names in the Quran}}

[[Category:Jacob]]
[[Category:Hebrew Bible prophets of the Quran]]