When Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) left his wife, Sayyidah Haajar (‘alaihas salaam), with her infant child, Nabi Ismaa‘eel (‘alaihis salaam), in the barren land of Makkah Mukarramah, as per the command of Allah Ta‘ala, Sayyidah Haajar (‘alaihas salaam) asked him, “O Ebrahim! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley wherein we have no companion or anything else?” Her question was however, met with silence from Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam).
Sayyidah Haajar (‘alaihas salaam) repeated the question, but to no avail. She finally rephrased the question and asked, “Has Allah Ta‘ala commanded you to do this?” When Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) replied in the affirmative, she exclaimed, “In that case, He will not allow us to perish. I am pleased with (the command of) Allah Ta‘ala. He is sufficient for me.”
After some time, the meagre provisions that she had with her depleted. She was thus overcome by thirst, as a result of which her milk dried and she was unable to suckle her son. Nabi Ismaa‘eel (‘alaihis salaam) became thirsty to such an extent that he began rolling in the sand while kicking his heels on the ground, and he even began to experience difficulty in breathing! Unable to bear this sight, Sayyidah Haajar (‘alaihas salaam) commenced running between two nearby mountains, Safaa and Marwah, earnestly seeking someone to help her.
On the seventh round, whilst on Marwah, Sayyidah Haajar (‘alaihas salaam) heard a sound. As she looked towards the sound, she suddenly saw Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) standing at the place that thereafter became the well of Zam-zam.
Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) asked Sayyidah Haajar (‘alaihas salaam), “Who are you?” She replied, “I am Haajar, the mother of the child of Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam).” Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) then enquired from her, “To whom has your husband entrusted you?” She answered, “To Allah!” Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) declared, “He has entrusted you to that Being Who will suffice your every need.”
(Saheeh Bukhaari #3364 and Fat-hul Baari)
Lessons:
1. No amount of human intelligence could have fathomed the wisdom behind this command of Allah Ta‘ala to Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam), as abandoning a woman and an infant child in a desert without any apparent means of survival outwardly seems foolish. However, Sayyidah Haajar (‘alaihas salaam) displayed the true spirit of submission. As soon as she came to know that it was on Allah Ta‘ala’s command that she was being left in that barren land, she expressed complete submission. She did not respond with ‘buts’ by saying, “But what if?”, “But I can’t understand this!”, “But it doesn’t make sense!”, or “But I can’t manage this!” Rather, her response is worthy of being engraved in gold and etched onto the heart of every believer.
2. Sometimes the thought might cross the mind of being unable to manage life’s challenges or to practise on Deen in today’s environment. Sayyidah Haajar (‘alaihas salaam) gave the answer thousands of years ago, when she was staring at her destruction – Allah Ta‘ala will never place a servant in a situation that is unbearable. He will never neglect the one who follows His commands. The command of Allah Ta‘ala and the way of His messenger as a rule is never beyond a person’s ability. All it requires is a bit of courage in the beginning. Then the road opens up.
3. When our gaze is constantly fixed on Allah Ta‘ala and we have deep conviction in Him, we will be prepared to make every sacrifice for His sake and we will not become victims of depression and despondency even in the most challenging of situations. Allah Ta‘ala is the only Being that can be sufficient for a person. Hence, a person needs to place his complete trust and reliance on Allah Ta‘ala, and He will take care of him and be sufficient for him.