Last updated: 14 October 2026 | Written for Eid ul Adha 2027
Qurbani Easy Editorial Team • Advised by our panel of Islamic scholars
Quick Answer: The Quran tells the account of Prophet Ibrahim and his son in Surah As-Saffat, verses 99–111. Ibrahim sees in a dream that he must sacrifice his son, the boy answers with patience, both submit, Allah calls out to Ibrahim and ransoms the boy “with a great sacrifice” (37:107). This guide quotes the verses in order, in the Sahih International translation checked on quran.com, and says what they state and what they do not.
Many families retell this account around Eid ul Adha. Retellings often add details that the Quran itself does not give. Reading the verses directly is the safest way to keep the story accurate, especially when explaining it to children.
The verses, in order
And [then] he said, “Indeed, I will go to [where I am ordered by] my Lord; He will guide me.
Quran 37:99
My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.”
Quran 37:100
So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy.
Quran 37:101
And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.” He said, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allāh wills, of the steadfast.”
Quran 37:102
And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead,
Quran 37:103
We called to him, “O Abraham,
Quran 37:104
You have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.
Quran 37:105
Indeed, this was the clear trial.
Quran 37:106
And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,
Quran 37:107
And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:
Quran 37:108
“Peace upon Abraham.”
Quran 37:109
Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.
Quran 37:110
Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.
Quran 37:111
Translation: Sahih International, checked on quran.com.
What the verses say, step by step
| Verses | What happens |
|---|---|
| 37:99–100 | Ibrahim goes toward where his Lord has ordered him and asks for a righteous child. |
| 37:101 | He is given good news of a forbearing boy. |
| 37:102 | When the boy reaches the age of exertion, his father tells him of the dream and asks what he thinks. The boy answers: do as you are commanded, you will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast. |
| 37:103–105 | Both submit; Ibrahim lays him down; Allah calls to Ibrahim: you have fulfilled the vision. Allah rewards the doers of good. |
| 37:106–107 | This was the clear trial. Allah ransoms the boy with a great sacrifice. |
| 37:108–111 | Ibrahim is remembered among later generations, “Peace upon Abraham”, and is described as one of Allah’s believing servants. |
What the verses do not say
- They do not name the son (see the first FAQ).
- They do not describe the animal, the place or the date.
- They do not describe how Qurbani is performed today; that is covered by Hadith and fiqh, not by these verses.
The link to Qurbani
Elsewhere the Quran says: “And for every [religious] community We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allāh over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. For your god is one God, so to Him submit. And, [O Muḥammad], give good tidings to the humble [before their Lord]” (Quran 22:34). Our guides What Is Udhiyah? and What the Quran and Hadith say about Qurbani take the next step, with sources. If you wish to arrange your own Qurbani, you can book Qurbani online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these verses name the son?
No. Verse 37:101 calls him “a forbearing boy” and the verses do not give his name. Many Muslims in India and the subcontinent speak of him as Ismail (peace be upon him); scholars have discussed the question, and this guide does not take a position.
Is the sacrifice of Eid ul Adha the same as this event?
The Quran says that Allah ransomed the boy “with a great sacrifice” (37:107) and that for every community a rite of sacrifice was appointed (22:34). How Qurbani is performed today, and on whom it is due, are matters of fiqh: see What the Quran and Hadith say about Qurbani and the Qurbani rules hub.
How can I explain this story to a child?
Read the verses slowly, one at a time, and ask what the boy and his father trusted. Keep to what the verses say; use our table below as a guide.
Related guides: What Is Udhiyah?; first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Citation Sources
• Quran 37:99–111 (Surah As-Saffat) — text and Sahih International translation checked on quran.com; the order of events in the table follows the verses.
• Quran 22:34 (Surah Al-Hajj) — a rite of sacrifice appointed for every community; checked on quran.com.
The identity of the son is discussed by scholars and is not settled in this guide. No fiqh ruling is stated here.