Children of Prophet Jacob (Peace Be Upon Him)
Historical accounts indicate that the Prophet Jacob (peace be upon him) married two sisters. There are differing views regarding whether he had them both as wives at the same time. Regardless, it is evident that he fathered several children with Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. His wife Rachel, however, was initially unable to bear children, leading her to give Jacob a maid named Bilhah for the purpose of bearing offspring. Through Bilhah, Jacob had Dan and Naphtali. Additionally, Jacob’s maid Zilpah bore him Gad and Asher. Following this, Leah had more children, giving birth to Zebulun, Dinah, and Issachar. Eventually, Rachel conceived again and bore Jacob two beautiful sons: Joseph and Benjamin.
Prophet Jacob in the Holy Quran
The Quran details the story of Jacob and his sons, offering insights into his life. It recounts the advice Jacob gave to his children on his deathbed, urging them to remain steadfast in monotheism, adhere to the teachings of Abraham (peace be upon him), and obey Allah (exalted be He) throughout their lives. Furthermore, the Quran praises Prophet Jacob (peace be upon him) for embodying various admirable qualities, including his commitment to righteous deeds, strength in worship, and depth of knowledge and discernment in all matters.
Trials Faced by Prophet Jacob in His Life
Throughout his life, Prophet Jacob (peace be upon him) endured numerous trials, some of which are highlighted below:
- The loss of his beloved son, Joseph (peace be upon him), which plagued Jacob for many years. His other sons deceived him into believing that a wolf had devoured Joseph. Despite Jacob’s knowledge of their dishonesty, he remained patient and hopeful. Subsequently, he also faced the distress of losing his son Benjamin, accompanied by the troubling news that his eldest son was unwilling to meet him, leading to the profound sorrow of losing three sons during that period.
- Loss of sight; as Jacob’s circumstances became increasingly difficult, the sorrow he endured led to such despair that the Quran indicates his eyesight deteriorated due to his overwhelming grief, resulting in blindness during that challenging time.