A Prophet from a Prophetic Lineage
Yaqub (peace be upon him), also known as Israel, was the son of Ishaq and the grandson of Ibrahim. The Quran counts him among the chosen servants of Allah, people of strength and insight (Surah Sad 38:45-47). He carried forward the legacy of monotheism established by Ibrahim and ensured that his own children understood the importance of worshipping Allah alone.
Surah Sad 38:45-47
The Last Counsel on His Deathbed
As Yaqub lay dying, he asked his sons: 'What will you worship after me?' They replied: 'We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Ibrahim, Ismail, and Ishaq — one God. And we are Muslims in submission to Him' (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:133). This deathbed exchange shows the priority Yaqub placed on faith above all worldly concerns. His final words were about tawhid — the oneness of Allah.
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:132-133
Decades of Grief After Losing Yusuf
When Yaqub's sons brought back Yusuf's bloodied shirt and claimed a wolf had devoured him, Yaqub saw through the deception. He said: 'Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against what you describe' (Surah Yusuf 12:18). He wept for Yusuf until his eyes turned white from grief (Surah Yusuf 12:84), yet he never lost hope in Allah's mercy.
Surah Yusuf 12:83-84
Beautiful Patience (Sabr Jameel) and Reunion
Yaqub's response to tragedy was 'sabr jameel' — beautiful patience, meaning patience without complaint to anyone other than Allah (Surah Yusuf 12:83). When his sons questioned his constant grief, he said: 'I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah' (Surah Yusuf 12:86). He never stopped believing that Allah would reunite him with Yusuf. When the reunion finally came, his patience was vindicated (Surah Yusuf 12:96).
Surah Yusuf 12:86