Title: Regarding the Prophet Ishmael... Question: A small question, if you have the time. Can you please tell me whether Prphet Ismail brought a new law? or did he follow the law of his father? Jazak Allah Mashhood United Kingdom Answer: The Prophet Ismai'l (Ishmael) did not bring a new law. His mission, just as the rest of the Prophets from the progeny of Ibrahim, was to continue the legacy of his father Ibrahim (Abraham). Whatever slight differences that may have existed, between any Prophet or Messenger for that matter, only related to the suitability of the message to the particular people and their socio-cultural level. In other words, there may have been certain injunctions, rules or guidelines that were suitable to Abrahams' people which were not relevant Ishmaels' (or other's) nation, and vice versa. Say ye: "We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to God (in Islam)." ( Al-Baqarah 2: 136) Say: "We believe in God, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to God do we bow our will (in Islam)." ( Aal-Imraan 3: 84) I have quoted the above verses only to illustrate the common thread between the Prophets and their continuous chain of guidance. Each of them was given a separate mission only to continue the thematic goal of propagating God's religion. It should be apparent from the above that Ishmael, just as the other Prophets from the progeny of Abraham, may have brought some variations of the Abrahamic principles, but not a brand new system of law. I hope I have clarified the issue God knows best Ronnie Hassan February 6, 2003