223. Who was led to the altar to be sacrificed?

At the time when Prophet Ibrahim attempted to sacrifice one of his sons, he was prevented by God with a goat replacing him. This is a belief held by both the Muslims and Christians. 

Christians and some Muslims believe it was Isaac who was led to the altar while Muslims on the whole believe it was Ismail. This verse (11:71) of the Quran refutes it was Isaac.

In this verse we find the message where God conveys Prophet Ibrahim about the birth of a son Isaac and also about a grandson to him by the name of Yakub.

Since the good tidings about a yet to be born grandson Yakub to Isaac after his marriage was revealed to Prophet Ibrahim in the early days, the notion that Isaac will not die young is strengthened.

After the kind of revelation already delivered, to command Prophet Ibrahim sacrifice Isaac does not stand in good stead.Commanding Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Isaac after revealing he would not die at an early stage, does not exhibit any show of sacrifice on his (Prophet Ibrahim) part.

Anybody will come forward to sacrifice his son after knowing for sure the person to be sacrificed will not die. Hence commanding Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice Ismail would stand good stead to test both.

 To know more about the Bible saying it was Ismail who was led to the altar to be sacrificed with evidence, please refer to explanation point 455.