Prophet Jacob (Yaqub): The Story of Israel in the Quran

Jacob (Yaqub), also known as Israel, is one of the honored prophets of Allah. Discover his story in the Quran, his unwavering faith, and his role as the father of Prophet Joseph.

  Mon , August 03 2026 / 02:54 PM Updated At: 2026-08-03 14:54:59

Prophet Jacob (Yaqub), peace be upon him, was one of the noble prophets chosen by Allah. He was the son of Prophet Isaac, the grandson of Prophet Abraham, and the father of Prophet Joseph (Yusuf), peace be upon them all.

Who Was Prophet Jacob?

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described Prophet Joseph by saying:

"The noble son of the noble son of the noble son of the noble: Joseph, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham."

This highlights Jacob's honored status among Allah's prophets.

Jacob in the Quran

The Quran mentions Prophet Jacob in several passages, emphasizing his devotion and unwavering faith.

His Advice to His Sons

Before his death, Jacob urged his children to worship Allah alone and remain steadfast upon the true religion.

A Man of Strength and Insight

Allah describes Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as people blessed with strength in worship and deep spiritual insight.

Why Is Jacob Called Israel?

The Quran refers to Prophet Jacob as Israel, and his descendants became known as the Children of Israel.

According to classical interpretations, the name Israel means Servant of Allah or Chosen of Allah.

Jacob's Family

Historical accounts mention that Jacob married and was blessed with twelve sons, including:

  • Prophet Joseph (Yusuf)
  • Benjamin

The twelve sons later became the ancestors of the twelve tribes of the Children of Israel.

Jacob and the Story of Joseph

Jacob's life is closely connected with the remarkable story of Prophet Joseph.

After years of separation and immense patience, Allah reunited Jacob with Joseph in Egypt, fulfilling Joseph's childhood vision and demonstrating the reward of patience and trust in Allah.

Lessons from Prophet Jacob's Story

Devotion to Monotheism

Jacob consistently taught his children to worship Allah alone.

Patience During Trials

He remained patient despite the painful loss of his beloved son.

Trust in Allah

Jacob never lost hope in Allah's mercy.

Righteous Parenting

He focused on preserving faith within his family until the end of his life.

Who was Prophet Jacob?

He was the son of Prophet Isaac, the grandson of Prophet Abraham, and the father of Prophet Joseph.

Why is Jacob called Israel?

The Quran refers to him as Israel, a name commonly interpreted as "Servant of Allah" or "Chosen of Allah."

How many sons did Jacob have?

He had twelve sons, including Joseph and Benjamin.

Where did Jacob live?

He lived in Canaan and later moved to Egypt during the time of Prophet Joseph.

Where was Prophet Jacob buried?

He is traditionally believed to have been buried in Hebron, Palestine, alongside his father Isaac and grandfather Abraham.

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