Practice archery, O progeny of Isma‘īl; your forefather was an archer

Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) passed some of his Companions who were shooting arrows together; competing to see who would win. He approved of what they were doing and even encouraged them by saying: "Practice archery, O progeny of Isma‘īl," urging them to continue practicing archery, as it is one of the favors of Allah, the Exalted, upon the progeny of Isma‘īl, meaning: the Arabs.

He said to do so, because their forefather, Isma‘īl, the son of Ibrahīm (may peace be upon both of them), was an excellent and skilled archer.