He ordered Ibrahim’s assets to be confiscated and exiled him from the kingdom.

He ordered Ibrahim’s assets to be confiscated and exiled him from the kingdom. When Ibrahim (a.s) heard this decree, he said, “You have no right to confiscate my animals and belongings!” Nimrod said, “You have acquired these things living in my realm!” Ibrahim rejoined, “Then, return to me the years that I have spent living in your city and take my belongings!” Nimrod had no reply for this argument. He ordered that his belongings may not be confiscated but he must be banished forthwith.

Ibrahim (a.s) left Babylon along with his spouse Sarah and nephew Lot (a.s)). Passing through Aleppo and Damascus this small group reached Palestine which, in those days, was called Kan`an. In Palestine, his abode was eleven miles away from Jerusalem. The locality is known as Hebron. Ibrahim (a.s) stayed here for sometime and then proceeded to Egypt to preach the people about the Unity of Allah. When the king of Egypt, Raqyūn, saw the pretty Sarah, evil intentions passed through his mind.

When he stretched his hand towards her, it instantly was paralyzed. Raqyūn repented his action and begged for Ibrahim’s pardon. He gave valuable gifts to the group and presented a slave girl, Hajar, to Ibrahim (a.s). This girl later on became the consort of Ibrahim (a.s). The historian al-tabari writes that Hajar was the daughter of `Alwan ibn Sinan, the Pharaoh of Egypt. Ibrahim (a.s) returned to Hebron to make it his permanent place of residence.

He prayed to Allah to give him off springs that could help him advance his Mission. His prayers were answered and, at the age of eighty-six, he was blessed with his first son Isma`il (a.s) through Hajar. After sometime, Sarah too gave birth to Ishaq (a.s). When Sarah presented a son to Ibrahim (a.s) she insisted that he should move away Hajar and Isma`il (a.s) from Hebron. Ibrahim (a.s) agreed and traveled with Hajar and Isma`il (a.s).

With Divine Guidance, they reached a desolate place in the wilderness of Hijaz. Although the place was devoid of any human presence, Allah had earmarked it for the location of the Umm al-Qura—the mother of towns. Therefore, with the hands of Ibrahim (a.s), the foundation of habitation at the Holy Place was laid. He left Isma`il (a.s) and Hajar there.

Ibrahim (a.s) had made a promise to Sara, while departing from Hebron, that he would settle Hajar and Isma`il (a.s) at a safe place and return to her.