The story of Hājar — the mother of Sayyidunā Ismāʾīl and the wife of Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm — is one of the most profound stories of tawakkul (trust in Allah) in the entire tradition of Islam. It is a story that every Muslim relives during Hajj, running between Ṣafā and Marwah in her footsteps, and drinking from the well she uncovered.
Left in the Desert
Allah ﷻ commanded Ibrāhīm to take Hājar and their infant son Ismāʾīl to a barren, uninhabited valley — the valley of Makkah. He left them there with a small amount of food and water, and began to walk away. Hājar called out: “O Ibrāhīm! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley with no person and no thing?” She repeated this several times, but he did not turn back. She asked: “Has Allah commanded you to do this?” He said: “Yes.” She said: “Then He will not abandon us.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 3364)
This one response of Hājar — “Then He will not abandon us” — is among the greatest expressions of tawakkul ever uttered by a human being. She had no water, no companion, and no shelter in a lifeless valley. Yet her trust in Allah ﷻ was absolute.
The Duʾāʾ of Ibrāhīm
As he walked away, Ibrāhīm raised his hands and made one of the most beautiful supplications in the Qurʾān:
“Our Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in a valley with no vegetation, near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among people incline toward them and provide for them from fruits that they might be grateful.”
Sūrah Ibrāhīm (14:37)
The Search for Water: Al-Safa and Al-Marwah
When the water ran out, Hājar climbed the hill of Ṣafā to look for help or water. Seeing nothing, she descended and crossed to Marwah. She ran seven times between the two hills in desperation — and this act of a mother running for her child became enshrined forever as a pillar of Hajj and ʿUmrah, performed by millions to this day.
Allah ﷻ honoured her effort:
“Indeed, al-Ṣafā and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs ʿUmrah — there is no blame upon him for walking between them.”
Sūrah al-Baqarah (2:158)
The Miracle of Zamzam
As Hājar’s son Ismāʾīl struck his heel against the ground in thirst, water burst forth from the earth — the blessed well of Zamzam. Jibrīl appeared and the water began to flow. Hājar began to dam the water around it, saying “Zam zam” (“Stay, stay”), and the Prophet ﷺ later said: “May Allah have mercy on the mother of Ismāʾīl. Had she not said ‘Zam’, Zamzam would have been a flowing river.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
Lessons from the Story
- Tawakkul requires action. Hājar did not sit and wait — she climbed, searched, and ran. Divine help comes to those who exhaust their means.
- Obedience to Allah brings blessing. Ibrāhīm obeyed a painful command, and the result was a city, a Kaʾbah, and a well that has not dried in over four thousand years.
- A mother’s love is honoured by Allah. Hājar’s running is recalled in every single Hajj and ʿUmrah until the Day of Judgement.
- Zamzam is the best water on earth. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Zamzam water is for whatever purpose it is drunk for.” (Ibn Mājah, no. 3062)
May Allah ﷻ grant us the tawakkul of Hājar, the obedience of Ibrāhīm, and the blessing of drinking from Zamzam with faith and gratitude. Āmīn.
