Hajar (Hagar)

Of noble Egyptian origin, Hajar was the companion of Ibrahim and mother of Isma'il. It was in the barren valley where Mecca stands today that she was brought with her infant, by God's command — and it is there that her story became one of the foundations of the pilgrimage.

Shortly after the birth of Isma'il, Ibrahim received the command to bring Hajar and the child to a barren valley, without crops or water. As he was about to leave them with a little water and some dates, Hajar called to him: 'Has God commanded you to do this?' When he replied yes, she said: 'Then He will never abandon us.'

The provisions exhausted, thirst tormented the child. Hajar ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa, seven times, searching the horizon for a spring or help. This running — the effort of a human being joined to trust in God — became the Sa'y, a rite of pilgrimage that millions still perform today.

On her return, she found water springing near the child: the spring of Zamzam. She had not caused it to well up — the water was given to her, after her effort, as a grace from God. Fearing it would be lost in the sand, Hajar surrounded it with earth to contain it. The water attracted the tribe of Jurhum, and the barren desert gradually became a city.

Alone, she raised Isma'il in this valley, transmitting to him a faith such that he would later accept, without wavering, the trial of sacrifice. From this lineage would come, many centuries later, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Hajar died in Mecca and was buried near the Ka'ba, in the enclosure known as Hijr Isma'il.

Hajar shows that effort pushed to its limit, united with total trust in God, can make life spring forth where all seemed lost. Her words — 'He will never abandon us' — remain a support for anyone going through trial.

رَّبَّنَا إِنِّي أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِي زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ ٱلْمُحَرَّمِ

Seigneur ! J’ai établi une partie de mes descendants dans une vallée aride auprès de Ton sanctuaire afin, Seigneur, qu’ils accomplissent assidûment la prière. Dispose en leur faveur les cœurs d’une partie des hommes et dispense-leur toutes sortes de fruits, en espérant qu’ils Te seront reconnaissants.

14:37