[^12] All prophets were loyal in promise...

[^12] All prophets were loyal in promise, but the appearance of this quality had been more manifest in Isma’il. Being true to promise is a Divine attribute. The Qur’an says: “Verily Allah never fails (His) promise” [^13] , because breach of promise is a sign of hypocrisy. Some Islamic traditions indicate that there are three signs for hypocrite: abuse of confidence, falsehood in speech, and breach in promise.

^14 The second verse implies that, at last, Ismail enjoined his family, or his people, to perform prayer, almsgiving, night prayer, charity and fast,