When, even after a long married life, Sarah could not bear a...

When, even after a long married life, Sarah could not bear a child, she proposed to Ibrahim (a.s) that he should marry her companion Hajrah telling him that God-willing he may get children through her (Hajrah) whereby the progeny of Prophet Hud (a.s) may continue on the earth. Since this step of Sarah was an instance of sacrifice and selflessness, God Almighty considered it worthy of respect. In short, Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) married Hajrah and she bore a son for him who was named Ismail (a.s).

When Sarah saw that now the progeny of Hud would continue through Hajrah she become worried and restless to an unbearable extent. So she told Ibrahim (a.s) to take away the newborn child and its mother (Hajrah) to a faraway place from where she might not hear anything at all about them. God Almighty ordered Ibrahim (a.s) to fulfill the demand of Sarah and to leave the child and mother in a far off place and then return to Palestine . Ibrahim (a.s) carried out the divine command.

He left Ismail and Hajrah in Hijaz (now called Mecca ) praying to God: O our Lord! Surely I have settled a part of my offspring in a valley unproductive of fruit near Thy Sacred House, our Lord! That they may keep up prayer; therefore make the hearts of some people yearn towards them and provide them with fruits; haply they may be grateful:[1] Now also see the miracle of destiny.

This event gained such a high regard in human history that its sounds still ring in human ears throughout the world though centuries have passed away. Hajrah and Ismail (a.s) made their residence at the place, which is now known as Mecca near the Sanctified Mosque (Masjidul Haram). In those olden days, it was a barren stony area, which used to hot up so much as to change the color of human face. There was no water all around and hence it was without human habitation.

But history gives witness that a spring of water had gushed out from the spot where Ismail (a.s) had rubbed his tiny heels when thirsty. Thereafter, by and by, people of the Jurham tribe began to come and settle there and kind Arab women treated Hajrah and her child Ismail (a.s) with much respect and served them affectionately. [1] Surah Ibrahim 14:37 Days continued to pass away until Ismail (a.s) became a youth.

One day when Ibrahim (a.s) got fed up with his people’s disobedience and came towards Hijaz, he found that everything had changed over there.