"And when he reached with him the age of exertion", meaning: working for God—Exalted be He—which is the age of puberty. This is the interpretation of al-Hasan, meaning: the exertion of work and the establishment of the proof.

"He (Ishmael) said: O my father, do as you are commanded", meaning: do what your Lord has revealed to you, "you will find me, if God wills, of the steadfast" in the face of God's trials.