Ismail is a common name in many cultures, particularly in Islamic tradition. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yishma'el, meaning "God will hear." Ismail is often associated with the biblical figure Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, who is considered a prophet in Islam and an important figure in Judaism and Christianity. In Islamic tradition, Ismail is revered as a prophet and an ancestor of the Arab people. His story is significant in the context of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, where the ritual of Sa'i commemorates the search for water by his mother, Hagar, in the desert.