God chose Prophet Abraham to settle his wife Hajar and son Ishmael in the Makkan desert so that a new generation could be formed through them which is free from conditioning.
Prophet Abraham bin Azar was born in the ancient city of Ur, located in present-day Iraq, in 1985 BCE. He lived for over 175 years. “Ur” served as the capital of ancient Iraq and was a prominent center of the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia. Prophet Abraham, known for his exceptional qualities and unwavering devotion, called upon his contemporaries to God. He even conveyed his message to the then-ruler of Iraq, Nimrod. Despite presenting compelling arguments, none were willing to accept his call to monotheism. When Prophet Abraham completed his mission and left Iraq, only two individuals accompanied him—his nephew Lot and his wife Sarah.
Before Prophet Abraham, various prophets of God were sent to different regions at different times, conveying the message of monotheism to people. However, these people continued to reject their message. They responded to the prophets with ridicule and mockery, treating them with disdain (The Quran, 36:30).
One era of the prophets concluded with Prophet Abraham. It became necessary to formulate a new plan for calling people to God. For this purpose, God chose Prophet Abraham. Subsequently, Prophet Abraham, accompanied by his wife Hajar and young son Ishmael journeyed through different cities until they eventually arrived at the site where Makkah stands today. According to a narration, this journey was guided by the angel Gabriel (Jibril). (Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 1, p, 254)
Hajar was the wife of Prophet Abraham. From her, a child named Ishmael was born. As part of a divine plan, Prophet Abraham took Hajar and their young son Ishmael to the location of Makkah in Arabia and settled them there, despite it being completely uninhabited at that time. The Quran briefly refers to this incident:
“[Remember] when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, make this a city of peace and help me and my children to keep away from worshipping idols. My Lord, they have led so many men astray! Anyone who follows me is with me, but if anyone turns against me, You are surely forgiving and merciful. O Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in an uncultivable valley near Your Sacred House, Lord, so that they might establish their prayers. So, make people’s hearts incline towards them and provide them with fruits so that they may be grateful.’” (14:35-37)
The Quran briefly mentions the story of Hajar, but a detailed account of her story can be found in the well-known Hadith recorded in Sahih Bukhari. The narration is as follows:
“Abdullah ibn Abbas narrates that Hajar was the first among women to tie a waistband around herself to conceal her pregnancy from Sarah’s suspicion. Abraham then brought Hajar and their child Ishmael to Makkah. During that time, Hajar used to breastfeed Ishmael. Abraham placed them beneath a large tree which is now the location of Zamzam. At that time, there was not a single person in Makkah and there was no water there. Abraham left a bag of dates and a water skin for them before departing. Hajar followed behind him and said, “O Abraham, where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person and nothing else?” Hajar said this to Abraham multiple times, but he did not give a reply to her words. Hajar then asked him, “Did God command you to do this?” Abraham replied, “Yes.” Hajar said, “Then God will not abandon us.” Hajar returned while Abraham set out. When he reached the place where he could no longer be seen, he turned his face towards the direction where the Kabah is presently located. He raised both his hands and prayed:
O Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in an uncultivable valley near Your Sacred House, Lord, so that they might establish their prayers. So, make people’s hearts incline towards them and provide them with fruits so that they may be grateful. (The Quran, 14:35-37)
Hajar nursed Ishmael and drank water from the leather bag. She continued like this until the water in the leather bag ran out, and she became thirsty. Ishmael also grew thirsty. When Hajar looked at her son, he was restless due to thirst. Driven by her son’s condition, she set out in search of water. She reached the nearest hill, Safa. Standing on top of the hill, she scanned the valley to see if there was anyone in sight, but she could not spot anyone. She descended from Safa. She repeated this process until she reached the valley. Hajar lifted her dress and ran in distress, she was dead tired. After crossing the valley, she arrived at the Marwah hill. She stood there, looking all around, but no person came into sight. She proceeded to walk between Safa and Marwah seven times. Abdullah ibn Abbas narrates that the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said that people perform the Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah) between these two points. Then she ascended Marwah. There she heard a voice. Wanting to listen to the voice, she told herself to keep quiet. When she tried to listen, she heard the same voice again. She said, “If you have made your voice heard to me, then can you help us in this situation?” She observed that there was an angel near the station of Zamzam. The angel struck the ground with his heel or wing, and water gushed forth.
Hajar started constructing a basin-like structure and used her hands to gather the sand around it. The more water she poured into her water bag, the more it would well up like a spring. Ibn Abbas narrates that the Messenger of God said that God had shown mercy to Hajar. If she had left Zamzam as it is Zamzam would have turned into a flowing spring. Hajar drank from the water and gave it to her son. The angel said to Hajar, “Do not fear abandonment. This is the House of God, and both this child and his father will build this House. God does not abandon His people.”
Hajar lived in this manner for some time. She continued until some people from the Jurhum tribe or the inhabitants of Jurhum’s settlement approached from the direction of Kada’. They descended into the mountainous part of Makkah. There, they noticed a bird flying around and concluded, “This bird must be flying over water. We have lived in this valley, and there was no water there.” They sent one or two individuals to bring the news. They saw the water and returned to inform the others. Then the rest of the people came to the water source. The Messenger of God stated that Hajar was near the water. They asked Hajar for permission to settle there. Hajar responded, “Yes, but you have no rights over the water.” They agreed. Abdullah ibn Abbas narrates that the Messenger of God said that Hajar herself desired people to inhabit this place. They settled in this place and called their family members, who joined them and stayed there. As more houses were constructed in Makkah, Ishmael grew up and learned the Arabic language from the people of Jurhum. The people of Jurhum developed an affection for Ishmael, leading him to marry one of their girls. Hajar passed away.
When Ishmael got married, Abraham came to visit his son but could not find him. He inquired about Ishmael from his wife, who informed him that Ishmael had gone out in search of sustenance for them. Abraham asked about their circumstances, to which she replied that they were experiencing hardship and living in difficult conditions. She expressed her concerns to Abraham. In response, Abraham advised her that when her husband returned, she should convey his greetings and ask him to change the doorstep of their house. When Ishmael returned, he noticed a change. He asked if someone had visited her, and she confirmed, “Yes, an old man came and inquired about our well-being. He asked about our situation, I replied, “We are going through immense hardship and distress.” Ishmael asked if he had conveyed any message for him, and she replied, “Yes, he sent his greetings to you and asked you to change the doorstep of your house.” Ishmael said that he was my father. He has instructed me to leave you. You should return to your family.” Ishmael divorced his wife and married another woman from the Jurhum tribe.
Abraham remained in his own land according to the will of God. Afterward, Abraham again came to Ishmael’s dwelling but did not find him there. He then approached Ishmael’s wife and inquired about Ishmael. She informed him that Ishmael had gone out in search of provisions. Abraham asked about their well-being, to which she replied that they were in good condition, in a state of contentment. She praised God. Abraham asked about their food, and she mentioned that they eat meat. He further inquired about their drink, and she informed him that they drank water. Abraham prayed, “O God, bless their food and water.” The Messenger of God mentioned that during that time, there was no cultivation in Makkah, and had there been any, Abraham would have also sought blessings for it. If People from other lands relied on its meat and water, it would not suit them. Abraham said to Ishmael’s wife that when her husband returned, she should convey his greetings and instruct him to preserve the doorstep of their house. When Ishmael returned, he asked her, “Did anyone come to you?” She replied, “Yes, a dignified good-looking person came to her and she praised the visitor.” He asked about our well-being and I updated him. He also inquired about our condition. I informed him that we are in a good state. Ishmael asked if they had conveyed any other message. She said, “Yes, he sent his greetings to you and instructed you to protect the doorstep of your house.” Ishmael said, “He was my father, and you are the doorstep. He has commanded me to keep you with me.
“So Abraham stayed in his homeland as long as God desired. Afterward, he came one day again and saw Ishmael sitting beneath a tree near Zamzam, repairing his arrows. When Ishmael saw Abraham, he stood up and engaged in the affectionate interaction that occurs between a father and his son. Abraham said, “O Ishmael, God has given me a command.” Ishmael responded, “Then carry out what your Lord has commanded you.” Abraham asked, “Will you assist me in this?” Ishmael replied, “I will support you.” Abraham stated, “God has commanded me to build a house here.” Abraham then gestured towards a raised spot nearby. Both of them laid the foundation of the house. Ishmael would bring the stones while Abraham would build them. As the walls grew higher, Ishmael brought a specific stone, known as the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), and placed it there. Abraham would stand on that stone while continuing the construction, and Ishmael would pass him the stones. Together, they would pray, “Our Lord, accept this from us, for You are the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” They proceeded with their construction and performed Tawaf (circumambulation) around the house, repeating their invocation:
“O our Lord, accept this from us, for You are the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 3364)
