The Prophets’ Knowledge of the Martyrdom of Ĥusain ibn ‘Ali (a.s.)

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: Ismā’īl, who is mentioned in this verse, “(Also) mention Ismā’īl in the book. Verily he was (ever) true of his promise, and he was a messenger, and a prophet” (19:54), is not Ismā’īl, the son of Ibrāhīm (a.s.). He was a prophet whom Allāh had sent to his own people. However, his people captured him and skinned his scalp and his face. An angel came to him from Allāh, the Blessed and the Exalted, and said, “Allāh has sent me to you. So order me to do that which you want (to this nation).” He replied, “I follow the example of Ḥusain (a.s.) and that which will happen to him.”

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: The nation of one of Allāh’s prophets, who was (also) a messenger, overpowered him. They skinned his face and his scalp. A messenger (an angel) from the Lord of the Worlds came to him and said: Your Lord conveys His Salām to you and says, “I see what they are doing to you.” And He has ordered me to obey you. Therefore, order me to do that which you want (to this nation). He replied, “I follow the example of Ḥusain (a.s.).”

I asked Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)), “O son of the Messenger of Allāh! Is Ismā’īl, the one who is mentioned in this verse, ‘(Also) mention Ismā’īl in the book. Verily he was (ever) true of his promise, and he was a messenger, and a prophet’ (19:54), Ismā’īl, the son of Ibrāhīm (a.s.), because the people believe that it is?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Ismā’īl died before Ibrāhīm (a.s.). Ibrāhīm (a.s.) was Allāh’s Decisive Proof and he was an owner of a SHARǏ’AH (a set of laws of religion). So then to whom was Ismā’īl sent?!” I asked, “May I sacrifice my life for you! Then to whom is this verse referring?!” Imam (a.s.) replied: It refers to Ismā’īl, son of Prophet Ḥizqīl (a.s.). Allāh sent him to his people but they belied him, killed him, and skinned his face. So Allāh’s Wrath fell upon them. Allāh sent Saťāťā`īl, the Angel of Chastisement, to Ismā’īl (a.s.). The angel said, “O Ismā’īl! I am Saťāťā`īl, the Angel of Chastisement. The Lord of Glory has sent me to you to torment your nation with different kinds of chastisement, if you wish.” “I do not want this,” Ismā’īl (a.s.) replied. “O Ismā’īl! What do you want then?” Allāh revealed to him. Ismā’īl (a.s.) replied: O Lord! You have taken the covenant (from the creation) to accept You as the Lord, Muḥammad (s.a.a.w.) as the Prophet, and his successors (a.s.) as the Divine Authorities. And You informed the Best of Your Creation (the Prophet (s.a.a.w.)) about that which his nation would do to Ḥusain ibn ‘Ali (a.s.) after him. And You promised Ḥusain (a.s.) that You would bring him back in this life so that he can seek revenge against those who killed him. O my Lord! My wish is that You bring me back to life just as You will bring Ḥusain (a.s.) back to life, so that I can seek revenge against those who did this to me. Imam (a.s.) continued, “Allāh promised Ismā’īl ibn Ḥizqīl (a.s.) that He would bring him back to life. Therefore, Ismā’īl will return to life with Ḥusain (a.s.).”

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: The Ismā’īl about whom Allāh says in His Book, “(Also) mention Ismā’īl in the book. Verily he was (ever) true of his promise” (19:54), was captured (by his nation) and his face and scalp were skinned. Then an angel came to him and said, “Allāh has sent me to you. So order me to do that which you want (to this nation).” However, Ismā’īl (a.s.) replied, “I follow the example of Ḥusain ibn ‘Ali (a.s.).”