EIDUL AZHA, the culmination of Haj, comprises a number of rituals associated with Prophet Ibrahim, Hazrat Hajira and their son Prophet Ismail. The founding of Makkah, the birthplace of Islam, which enshrines the Kaaba, is traced back in the Islamic tradition to Hazrat Hajira.

Her story, not mentioned in the Quran, is given in considerable detail in Sahih al-Bukhari in anumber of overlapping traditions in Book LV The Anbiya (Prophets), Chapter 9. Hadith number 583 states “Narrated Ibn Abbas Ibrahim brought Hajira and their son Ismail while she was suckling him, to a place near the Kaaba ... During those days there was nobody in Makkah, nor was there any water ... he made them sit over there and placed near them a leather bag containing some dates, and a small skin bag containing some water, and set out homeward.

“Ismail's mother followed him saying, 'O Ibrahim! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no one'... She repeated that to him many times, but he did not look back at her. Then she asked him, 'Has Allah ordered you to do so?' He said, 'Yes!' She said, 'Then He will not neglect us', and returned ... while Ibrahim proceeded onwards, and on reaching Thaniya where they could not see him ... raising both hands, she invoked Allah saying the following prayers 'O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring dwell in a valley without cultivation... in order... that they may offer prayer perfectly. So fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and provide them with fruits, so that they may give thanks.' (see also Surah 14 Ibrahim 37).

“Ismail's mother went on suckling him and drinking from

the water (she had). When the water in the skin had all been used up, she became thirsty and her child also became thirsty. She ... left him ... and found that the mountain of Safa was the nearest mountain to her on that land. She stood on it and started looking at the valley keenly so that she might see somebody, but she could not see anybody.

Then she descended from Safa and when she reached the valley, she tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and trouble, till she crossed the valley and reached Marwa mountain where she stood and started looking ... but she could not see anybody. She repeated that (running between Safa and Marwa) seven times.” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said 'This is the source of the tradition of the walking of people between them (i.e. Safa and Marwa). When she reached Marwa (for the last time) ... she saw an angel at the place of Zamzam, digging the earth with his heel (or his wing), till water flowed from that place. She ... started filling her skin bag with water with her hands ... Then she drank (water) and suckled her child.

The angel said to her, “Don't be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah which will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people” ... She lived (there) till some people from the tribe of Jurhum passed by her and her child ...They (had been) in the lower part of Makkah where they saw a bird that had the habit of flying around water ... They sent one or two messengers who discovered the source of water. So they all came (towards the water).... Ismail's mother was sitting near the water. They asked her, “Do you allow us to stay with you?” She replied, “Yes, but you will have no right to possess the water.” They agreed to do that. She was pleased with the whole situation....'”

The personality of Hazrat Hajira which emerges from the traditions narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari is that of a woman of exceptional faith, love, fortitude, resolution and strength of character. Once she hears from Prophet Ibrahim that it is God's command that she and her infant son should be left in the desert, she surrenders spontaneously and totally to what she believes to be God's will, (saying) that she is “satisfied to be with Allah” who will never neglect her.

Once out of water she undertakes a massive search for help. Her refusal to give up, to keep running and looking and praying demonstrates her determination to fight for her beloved child's life to the last bit of her own strength. Finally, her faith and effort are rewarded and Archangel Gabriel appears to guide her to the spring of Zamzam, which enables her not only to save her own and her son's life, but also to attract the people of the tribe of Jurhum into becoming her companions and partners in creating a prosperous settlement.

She raises her son to become a God-conscious man, loved and admired for his many qualities, who becomes his father's chosen partner in building the first House of God in Makkah. While Prophet Ibrahim is regarded by the Islamic tradition as the first 'Muslim', Hazrat Hajira is viewed as the staunch believer who became a pioneer leading the way to the establishment of a new civilisation.

The writer is professor emerita at the University of Louisville, US, and a scholar of Islam.

rshass01@gwise.louisville.edu