Story of the Prophet Yaqui ( Jacob )
” We gave him Ishaq and Yaqub. Each of them We made a Prophet. And We gave them Our mercy and assigned to the high and true renown. (Quran 19:49-50) It is reported that upon his old age Abraham wished to see his son Ishaq marry and have children. His will was fulfilled and Ishaq married Rebekah who was one of Abraham’s brother’s daughters. From Ishaq’s marriage to Rebekah was born twins: Esau and Yaqub.
Esau grew up to be a hunter and prophethood uncombed to Yaqub. Animosity grew stronger and stronger amongst the brothers. Esau resented his twin for being their father’s favorite and for having been chosen by God as a Prophet. His ill feelings became so violent that he even threatened to kill Yaqub. Fearing for her son’s life Rebekah advised her son to leave his father’s home and go to his uncle Laban until his brother’s anger abated.
Yaqub did so. The story says that upon his first night of departure, Yaqub found a place to rest for the night and put a stone under his head. A dream came to him that night. He dreamt of a ladder from heaven to earth. Angels were ascending and descending and the Lord addressed him and said to him: ” I will bless you and your offspring and makes this land for you and for those who come after you.”
Yaqub’s Family
When he awoke, Yaqub marked the stone so that he could remember its location and he swore that upon his safe return to his family he would build a temple here for the glory of Allah. This very stone was the location of what would be Jerusalem. Soon after arriving at his uncle’s house, Yaqub expresses the desire to marry his cousin. Laban agreed but providing that Yaqub would stay and work for him for a period of seven years. Yaqub’s first wife was Rachel, from whom he had two sons, Yusef, who in turn was to be Prophet of God and Benjamin. Yusef was amongst all his son’s favorite. Later on, Yaqub went on marrying Rachel’s sister Leah and two more women from whom he had many offspring, twelve in total. He is said to be the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Yaqub lived his life in the tradition of his father and grandfather. He believed in the One true god and he devoted his life to His worship. He was a man of peace and wisdom, loved and respected by his people.
“And We gave him tidings of the birth of Ishaq, a prophet of the righteous and We showered Our blessings on him and on Ishaq and of their offspring are some who do good and some who plainly wrong their own selves.” (Quran 37:113) When the Prophet Yaqub was on his death bed, he called his sons and held a conversation with them. It is mentioned in the following Verses of the Holy Quran: “The same did Abraham enjoin upon his sons, and also Yaqub: O’ my sons! Lo! Allah has chosen for you the true religion, therefore die not to save as men who have surrendered (unto Him) or were you present death came to Yaqub when he said to his sons: What will you worship after me? They said: We shall worship your God, God of your fathers, Abraham and Ishaq, One god and unto Him, we have surrendered.” (Quran 2:132-133)
