The Story of Hajar and the Meaning of Tawakkul
Every Year, We Walk in Hajar’s Footsteps
Millions travel for Hajj every year. And millions more travel yearly to perform the smaller Hajj known as the Umrah.
One of the rites of both the Hajj and Umrah, as prescribed to us by Allah, and as set forth in the example and command that Prophet Mohammed ﷺ has given his companions and the followers, is the passage of the traditional seven rounds between Safa and Marwa.
Millions follow this practice every year…yet few stop to reflect whose footsteps they are retracing, or how the practice came to be.
One Young Mother’s Trust Engraved into Islamic Practice
A young woman from ages ago embedded the true meaning of Tawakkul, or total faith, in Allah and His power over all things and His essence as the Sustainer and Provider.
Even though she was a companion for Ibrahim (عليه السلام), and not a prophet herself, still she truly embodied the full essence of Tawakkul, and her lessons remain an inspiration to us all today and beyond.
It would have been a nice relief to have someone to depend on and provide for her. But she did not have that benefit.
Hajar’s unwavering faith and acceptance that Allah’s plan is better than anything we ourselves can plan demonstrated that her true reliance was upon Allah alone — even amidst separation from her husband and the uncertainty of her circumstances.
This was not a reflection of carelessness from Ibrahim (عليه السلام), but part of a divine decree through which Allah intended to establish a lasting lesson of trust and reliance upon Him.
Hajar (عليها السلام), the second wife of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) and the mother of Ismail, from whom Prophet Mohammed ﷺ is descended, evoked an unwavering trust in Allah’s decree that is to be admired as an example for all of mankind.
She submitted to Allah’s will and accepted the decree for her without question or objection.
Without explanation. And without any hesitation.
Who Was Hajar (عليها السلام)?
Hajar was a young coptic Christian woman from Egypt who had been in the possession of an ancient Egyptian ruler.
She was “given” to Sarah when he let her and Ibrahim (عليه السلام) pass to continue on their travels through the land after Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) exile from his homeland.
Since she had remained barren for so long, Sarah eventually suggested to her beloved husband Ibrahim (عليه السلام) to take Hajar for his second wife, in the hopes that he would not remain childless and heirless for his life.
This was of course a commendable move from Sarah, albeit difficult. No woman really wants to see or know that her husband has taken a second wife, regardless of the reason.
A Woman Far From Home
Having been taken from her home most likely at a young prime age, she now faced a new adventure and challenge, being transported from her homeland and away from her family to an unknown land and an unknown and un-planned-for future.
Hajar, Ibrahim, and Ismail
No longer simply Sarah’s hand-maiden, Hajar was now Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) wife, which of course entailed conjugational or normal marital relations.
Although Hajar was discreet about her meetings with Ibrahim (عليه السلام), still Sarah could not withhold her own jealousy after Hajar carried and delivered his first-born son.
Not only was Sarah most likely overcome with the jealousy of her husband with another woman, albeit perfectly legal in the religious sense of the world, but this new woman in his life became the mother of his first-born who they named Ismail, while Sarah still remained barren.
Not able to continue to suppress her own jealousy, Sarah ultimately insisted with Ibrahim (عليه السلام) that he send Hajar and her newborn son as far away as possible – so that Sarah would no longer need to see them.
Allah’s decree unfolded through all of their struggles –
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- that of Sarah facing off her own jealousy and then later retracting on it to insist on Hajar’s expulsion from their family unit;
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- that of the internal torment Ibrahim (عليه السلام) must have faced – whether to submit to Sarah’s request (she had been his companion and faithful confidant for years) or to try to keep Hajar and her newborn, his first-born heir, by his side;
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- and ultimately Hajar’s struggle on how to cope alone in a barren land and no family for support, with a newborn who needed sustenance, not to mention her own needs.
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Ultimately, as with all of the things that Allah decrees, the result would have evolved regardless of the actions of these three important characters.
They became the means through which Allah unfolded His decree. Through each of them, we find important lessons to implement in our lives today.
The Beginning of a Divine Test
The loving and caring husband that he was, and in honor of her loyalty and dedication to him, Ibrahim (عليه السلام) obliged Sarah in her request, and escorted Hajar and Ismail to a land far away – which is known today as the valley region of Makkah.
He somehow knew when he arrived in this barren spot that this was where he was appointed to leave them.
They were destined to reside with no other souls in view around them - no civilization, no vegetation, no water, no movement whatsoever.
A barren and empty land in all possible aspects.
Not only was Ibrahim (عليه السلام) a devout believer in Allah and a willing submitter to His will, but so was Hajar as well.
Imagine a young new mother of a feeding baby being left on her own in a vast empty desert with no life in view.
No family. No other support. No means of sustenance in sight.
The Valley of Makkah
As Ibrahim (عليه السلام) was certain that this was the spot that Allah intended for him to leave his family, he relented to make his way to travel away after having settled them in a spot which seemed the right place.
Here he was – finally a father.
Yet he was being forced to leave his wife and son in a place he did not know, other than the inspiration from Allah that this was where he should leave them.
To make matters worse, the land was barren, just as his life had been prior to this moment. Now that he had offspring, here he was leaving that offspring in this barren land – no life in sight anywhere.
No vegetation. No water or visible water source. No people. No animals.
Nothing but vast desert sands, a few roaming mountains with some rocks, and the sky above.
Did Allah Command This?
Not able to withstand the prospect of leaving them alone, with no sustenance other than a small pouch of dates and some water he left with Hajar for her own sustenance while she would feed her newborn babe, Ibrahim (عليه السلام) turned to leave.
There was not much communication other than the movement of turning away and proceeding onwards. Back in the direction he had come from when he brought them.
Surprised not only by Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) action in leaving them as well as his silence in his own reluctance to move onward, Hajar was confounded by the aspect of being left alone. So young, a new mother, no family, no source of sustenance, no hope of even living.
She could not hide her fright at this moment, and so began to follow after him a bit, asking him why he was leaving them alone in this desolate place.
After repeating her desperate question several times and with no response from Ibrahim (عليه السلام), she finally asked:
“Did Allah command you to do so?”
Knowing her husband well although she had been with for such a short time, Hajar knew that Allah communicated with him, giving him directions and guidance.
And she knew that Ibrahim (عليه السلام) listened, paid attention, understood and obeyed.
He somehow confirmed her question – perhaps with a nod, and perhaps actually saying it in so many words.
Yes, it was a divine command to settle them here. In this barren land.
With no extra sustenance other than what little they had of dates and water.
And no people in sight. No vegetation in sight.
No water source in sight. No life other than their own.
At least for now.
Hajar felt something change in her chest. She was no longer afraid.
Not for herself, and not for her newborn babe.
Her solid and stoic response was:
❝ “Then HE Will Not Abandon Us.” ❞
She unquestioningly accepted her fate with full faith that Allah would not send them to this barren spot only to abandon them.
Her destiny was more than that and she knew it. She had unwavering faith that Allah would provide for her and her son.
Tawakkul Is Not Passive, Nor Is It Weak
Hajar’s strength, fortitude and unwavering faith in Allah’s mercy and provision was enough to give Ibrahim (عليه السلام) the strength to go through with it to just do it and actually leave them there – in that barren land.
With no hope in sight of help or assistance or protection.
He knew it was his job as the husband and father, to shelter and protect them from the dangers of the world and from exposure to the raw elements.
Particularly at this tender time in their lives – she a new mother only recovering from childbirth herself.
The baby a newborn, not yet able to feed himself much less defend himself from the dangers of exposure to nature and the elements without proper shelter and covering.
And, of course – no sustenance other than a few dates and very little water.
It must not have been an easy task for him to leave them there, even if he was a prophet. Even the prophets have their own emotions to deal with in the process of obeying Allah’s commands and directives.
Not long after Ibrahim (عليه السلام) disappeared on the horizon from her sight, the little bit of water and dates he had left with her dissipated.
As her own milk began to dry due to lack of nutrition, ultimate dehydration and exhaustion from her exposure to the sun and elements without proper shelter, baby Ismail began to fret and cry harder, unable to ward off his own growing hunger pains.
Holding him and comforting him only helped for a short time, but even that soon no longer worked.
In her distress about how to satisfy her baby’s growing hunger, Hajar began to look right and left, up and down, and literally all around, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of perhaps a passing caravan of travelers or traders.
Or maybe a tree on the horizon that would indicate a water source. Or even a cyote or other wild animal.
Any indication of life of any sort would have been a morsel of relief and a small glimpse of hope.
As she frantically looked around for signs, she noticed a small hill to one side. Looking around more, she noticed another similar small hill to the other side.
Between Safa and Marwa
Hajar was inspired to run to one of the hills, make it to the top to look further on the horizon from the hilltop – it would give her further distance of seeing.
Maybe she could see something – anything – in the distant horizon that would indicate some hope of life somewhere.
When she found nothing from that first hilltop, she thought that maybe from the other hilltop she could possibly see something she wasn’t able to see from the first.
She made her way to the second hilltop from the first, jogging part of the way as she fled, looking to and fro as she passed, and supplicating to Allah.
Pleading with Him for forgiveness, in the hopes that He would take mercy on her and her beloved new born son and grant them respite from the desolate situation they were in.
Faith and Effort Together
Hajar continued her path between the two hillocks for what must have seemed to her an eternity at the time – not knowing when to stop, how to stop, or why.
All she knew was that she could not just sit still and simply wait for sustenance to magically appear.
Having a feeling deep in her soul that she must make some effort, she continued.
Even if simply running between these two hills, looking frantically everywhere for assistance or sustenance, she proceeded while supplicating to Allah throughout the course.
In her mind, at that time, the going back and forth was better than sitting and doing nothing. What she actually benefitted from was the increase of supplications more so than the physical excursion of the rounds.
Trusting Allah While Still Striving
Although she was desolate and afraid, she never wavered in her trust that Allah would provide.
But she knew she had to keep moving. She just knew she had to keep praying and pleading.
She just knew that Allah would not abandon them.
He had not brought them all this way without a promise of deliverance.
He would not have guided his beloved prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) to leave them there without assurance that He would provide for them. Even when He prevented Ibrahim (عليه السلام) from that chance when he should have been with them.
He would not abandon her. (i.e. Hajar).
He would not abandon Ibrahim (عليه السلام).
And He will never abandon any of His worshippers who rely upon Him. (see Qur’an, S. Ibrahim, 14:11)
The Miracle of Zamzam
As Hajar made her way between the two hillocks looking everywhere as she passed and as she ascended and descended from each, all the while supplicating to Allah for some deliverance from her situation, it must have seemed like an eternity with no possible hope.
When Hope Seemed Lost
Just as she stopped to catch her breath and try to renew her faith in some hope, she noticed a commotion off in the direction of where she had left her baby in the empty barren valley off in the horizon.
When she looked in the direction where the commotion was coming from, she was surprised to notice some sort of beings or figures she could not understand.
Naturally afraid for the safety of her baby, and out of curiosity as to who or what was making the commotion, she ran towards it all.
The Water That Still Flows Today
Finally arriving at Ismail’s side, she found her baby Ismail safe from predators that she was afraid of, but noticed some other commotion going on at his feet.
Surprisingly, and miraculously, there was water gushing forth from the spot where Ismail’s heel was pounding as he was lying there, frustrated from the hunger and fidgeting as babies naturally do.
She was so stunned by this water gushing forth from the barren, dry and breaking ground, that she began to try to control it and contain it by somehow cupping her hands and digging a holding area around it as it flowed out of the ground without any visible means of control or measure.
Trying to save every drop, which she just knew would be impossible, she cried out: “Zam. Zam.”…meaning “stop” or “stop flowing” – and this was the source of the resulting of the name: ZamZam.
Zamzam as a Symbol of Mercy
The flow apparently slowed down slightly, but never stopped. Not even till today, centuries later (somewhere in the range of 4,000 years, give or take a bit, considering that according to historians, Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) time on this earth was somewhere between 1,900 to 2,000 BC and we are now in the 2000’s AD).
Such a mercy from the Creator and Sustainer that He indeed did not abandon them to remain and suffer starvation and dehydration due to settlement in the barren land.
A blessing and a provision rising from nothing more than barren desert sands and rocks, the well of ZamZam is nothing less than a miracle.
Because of the appearance of the ZamZam well and its nature of a continuing non-stop flow, it attracted people from far and wide then, as well as now, flocking to drink from this blessed water.
Not only is it a miracle that it appeared from essentially nowhere (remember Allah’s statement that all He needs to to to make something come into existence is to declare “Be” and it “becomes”)…but it is a continued blessing to this day, and it possesses powerful healing powers, by the will of Allah, and as Prophet Mohammed ﷺ has declared.
Why Muslims Still Run Between Safa and Marwa
Hajar unwittingly and without any plan, has become a major source of our religion and practices and even how to build faith today.
Imagine that – a young woman who came from an unknown background, was once a member of an ancient Egyptian ruler’s harem, who then was “gifted” as a maid-servant to the household of Ibrahim (عليه السلام), he who was and is one of the most well-known and widely accepted of all prophets by the three divinely revealed religions of the world, has become the source of a major act of worship that Muslims from around the world practice until this day – more than 4,000 years after her own presence on this earth.
The Practice Established Through the Prophet
Simply put, Muslims today observe the passage or walking between Safa and Marwa, because Prophet Mohammed ﷺ established this practice and gave the directive to his companions and for Muslims the world over and for all time to come, to observe and practice for the Hajj and Umrah.
He ﷺ not only established it as a firm and definite practice to be observed for both Hajj and Umrah, but he also set forth the exact method of how to do it, when it is to be done (within the ranks of position among the other rites and practices of both Hajj and Umrah), and he even went so far as to advise what supplications are best to recite during the process, and at what times and what positions.
Allah says:
مَّن يُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَ ۖ
He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah – S. An-Nisa, 4:80
And:
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
Say: "If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." – S. Al-Imran, 3:31
The practice of traversing between Safa and Marwa for a prescribed number of times and reciting specific remembrances and supplications is a spiritual and religious tradition that was implemented and practiced long before the appearance of Islam to the world.
Hajar’s Legacy in the Hajj
Hajar’s course between Safa and Marwa set the precedence of our practice that we implement in the course of the Hajj today, as well as the Umra. This traverse between Sara and Marwa for seven rounds is a major pillar of the Hajj and Umrah that is a “must-do” to complete the course of the Hajj or Umra.
We do this in honor and memory of her suffering, and in notification of her bravery and fortitude in the sight of utter desolation and despair.
Her footsteps are imitated by all, and her supplications are repeated by many, out of honor to her forbearance and her unwavering faith that Allah would not abandon her or her newborn babe.
And of no less significance – Hajar’s predicament, her struggles, and her unrelenting dependence and reliance on Allah, further supported by her unwavering faith that He would not abandon her or her newborn babe, are the key catalyst elements that ultimately resulted in the spring of ZamZam to gush forth and to remain for us today, more than 4,000 years after her incident.
We observe this practice of the rounds between Safa and Marwa out of obedience to Allah in His command to do so.
We do so out of the faith that Allah will not abandon us. He will respond. And He will shed his Mercy on us, as He shed it on Hajar and her newborn son, Ismail.
What Hajar’s Story Teaches Us About Tawakkul
Trust During Uncertainty
Hajar had no idea why Ibrahim (عليه السلام) had placed them in the barren land, with little sustenance and no life anywhere in sight.
She had no explanation other than his confirmation to her question, that Allah had issued to him a divine decree that he was to travel with them and settle them in this barren land, and then he was to leave them there without protection, coverage or sustenance of any kind.
But Hajar was unwavering in her faith that Allah would never abandon them – which gave Ibrahim (عليه السلام) the strength and enabled him to even leave them there like that.
She understood that he must leave them there, and so she brought out from within herself the courage to present to him a front of bravery and acceptance, to help him get on his own way.
It was her unwavering faith that gave her the strength to get up and not sit by just waiting for sustenance to simply fall from the sky without prior cause or supplication.
When the Path Forward Is Unclear
All of us face times of difficulty and uncertainty. Certainly not comparable to the situation that Hajar found herself in, but times of difficulty and uncertainty all the same.
The path forward may not only seem unclear, but even clouded-over till the point where we think it is utterly hopeless.
But we should never lose hope. Allah is always near, and He hears the call of those who call upon Him.
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way. – S. AlBaqarah, 2:186
And:
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدْعُونِىٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ
And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer) – S. Ghafir, 40:60
Allah Does Not Abandon the Believer
Allah never abandons the believer. He is oft-forgiving, all-hearing, and certainly powerful over all of His creation.
When Ibrahim (عليه السلام) was in the midst of perhaps the most fierce bonfire in the history of mankind, tied to a stake and set to burn alive in a fire that never exhausted for a period of 40 days and nights without relinquish, he was faced with an option to gain respite and relief.
But he refused the offer as it was offered to him by Jibreel, one of Allah’s choice angels and messengers.
His response was that he didn’t want any help or deliverance if it was coming from any source other than Allah.
Hence, Allah heard him. Allah respected Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) stance and reliance upon Allah, and Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) inner knowledge and faith that Allah would not abandon him.
Allah responded to Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) call – even though it was not a direct call or supplication asking for help or deliverance.
In this instance, Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) call to Allah was his own reliance on Allah, his tawakkul that Allah would not abandon him in his time of need.
Allah’s response was to give the fire itself a command to become a source of coolness and peace, so that Ibrahim (عليه السلام) could simply walk out of it unharmed and virtually untouched. (see the Qur’an, S. Al-Anbiya, 21:69)
We Still Return to Her Footsteps
We imitate Hajar’s footsteps in the path between Safa and Marwa, not only out of admiration for her fortitude and recognition of her plight and our ability to associate our own plights today to hers back then – but we do so out of obedience to Allah and His Messenger, as we have been commanded by Allah to do.
Her legacy lives on in each of us every time we repeat those steps in the Hajj or Umrah as we pass the seven rounds between Safa and Marwa.
Her legacy also lives on in each of us as we repeat her supplication on every round between Safa to Marwa:
رب اغفر و ارحم و تجاوز عنا ما لم نعلم، انت تعلم ما لم معلم، انك انت الاكرم
Rabbi ighfir wa arham, wa tajawaz ‘anna ma lam na’lam, anta ta’lam ma lam na’lam, anaka anta al-Akram.
Lord, forgive us, have mercy on us, and overlook what we do not know. You know what no one knows. You are the Most Generous.
The footsteps of Hajar still echo through these sacred days. If you wish to respond to this season with small meaningful acts of worship, begin here. ➔
Hajar’s unwavering dedication and reliance on Allah – that He would not abandon her – is an eternal promise and everlasting guidance that enables us to return to Allah with sincere devotion and true repentance, seeking His guidance, sustenance and the promise that He will never abandon us – in our time of need as well as at all times and occasions.
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