Part 2: The Story of Ibrahim’s Trust – Leaving Hajar and Ismail in the Desert
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) had already endured many trials in his life. He had been thrown into a fire by his people for destroying their idols, and yet, he remained unwavering in his faith in Allah. But the trials were far from over. One of the most challenging moments of Ibrahim’s life would come when he was commanded to leave his beloved wife Hajar and their infant son Ismail in the barren, desolate desert of Arabia.The story begins with a journey. After years of yearning for a child, Allah finally blessed Ibrahim and Hajar with a son, Ismail. The joy of holding his newborn son filled Ibrahim’s heart with immense gratitude to Allah. He had waited so long for this moment, and now he had a child who would carry on his legacy of monotheism and worship of Allah. Little did Ibrahim know that Allah would soon test his devotion and trust in a way he could never have imagined.
One day, Allah commanded Ibrahim to take Hajar and their baby Ismail to a distant, uninhabited land—an area that would later be known as Makkah. At that time, however, it was nothing but an empty, scorching desert. There were no signs of life, no water, no vegetation, and no people. It was a place where survival seemed impossible.
Despite the gravity of the command, Ibrahim did not question Allah’s wisdom. He prepared for the journey, knowing that his love and trust in Allah would guide him through. As they traveled through the desert, Hajar likely wondered where they were headed, but she trusted her husband. After all, Ibrahim was a prophet of Allah, and he had always acted with righteousness and guidance.
When they arrived at a spot between two small hills, later to be known as Safa and Marwah, Ibrahim stopped. The barren land stretched out in all directions. There were no sources of food or water to sustain life. At that moment, Ibrahim did something that would be incredibly difficult for any father—he left his wife and infant son there, with only a small amount of provisions: a water skin and some dates. Then, without saying a word, he began to walk away.
Hajar, confused and worried, called after him, “O Ibrahim! Where are you going? Are you leaving us in this barren desert where there is no one and nothing?”
Ibrahim, his heart heavy with emotion, did not respond. He continued walking. Hajar, realizing the gravity of the situation, asked again, “Has Allah commanded you to do this?”
This time, Ibrahim stopped and turned to her. With all the strength his heart could muster, he replied, “Yes.”
Hajar’s face softened with understanding. Her faith in Allah was as firm as her husband’s. She knew that if Allah had commanded this, He would not abandon them. She called out with unwavering conviction, “Then He will not let us perish.”
With that, Ibrahim continued his journey back, leaving Hajar and baby Ismail in the hands of Allah. But as he reached a distance where they could no longer see him, Ibrahim’s heart overflowed with emotion. He turned towards the barren land, raised his hands in prayer, and called upon his Lord:
"Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people inclined toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful." (Qur’an 14:37)
Ibrahim’s trust in Allah was absolute, but that did not mean the separation wasn’t painful. His prayers reflected both his deep concern for his family’s well-being and his unshakable reliance on Allah’s plan.
Meanwhile, as the days passed, Hajar and Ismail’s provisions began to run out. Soon, the dates were gone, and the water skin was empty. Hajar was desperate. Her baby was crying from thirst, and her own body was weak and dehydrated. Driven by maternal instinct and her faith in Allah, she began searching for water.
She ran to the top of the hill of Safa, looking out in all directions, hoping to spot a caravan or a well. Seeing nothing, she ran to the top of the hill of Marwah and searched again. Back and forth she ran between the two hills, her heart pounding with desperation, but also with trust in Allah. She repeated this search seven times, her anxiety growing with each step.
Then, as she stood beside her son, exhausted and fearing the worst, Allah sent His mercy. The Angel Jibril appeared and struck the ground with his wing. At that spot, water began to gush forth—clear, fresh, and abundant. It was a miracle. This well, later known as Zamzam, would become a source of life not only for Hajar and Ismail but for millions of pilgrims in the centuries to come.
Hajar, filled with relief and gratitude, quickly gathered the water, giving her son a drink and thanking Allah for His mercy. Her faith had been rewarded, and she knew now that she and her son were under the protection of the Most Merciful.
Over time, this barren desert became a place of settlement. A tribe called the Jurhum passed through the area and, upon seeing the water, asked Hajar if they could live nearby. With her approval, Makkah slowly began to flourish, and Ismail grew up under the guidance of both his mother and his father, Prophet Ibrahim, who would visit them regularly.
Lessons Derived from the Story:
- Complete Trust in Allah: Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah’s command to leave his family in the desert teaches us that true faith requires trusting Allah’s wisdom, even when His plans are beyond our understanding.
- The Strength of Hajar’s Faith: Hajar’s firm belief that Allah would not let her and her son perish demonstrates the power of unwavering faith, particularly in times of hardship and uncertainty.
- Maternal Sacrifice: Hajar’s perseverance in searching for water, despite her exhaustion, reflects the strength of a mother’s love and sacrifice, grounded in trust in Allah.
- Allah’s Mercy in Desperation: The well of Zamzam is a symbol of Allah’s mercy. Just when Hajar thought all hope was lost, Allah provided sustenance in the most miraculous way, showing us that relief often comes when we least expect it.