Hajj: A Commitment to Ultimate Sacrifice

son showed his readiness to make the ultimate personal sacrifice. Consequently, Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Isma’il were chosen for this divine plan, and they were settled in the isolated region of ancient Hijaz to begin the process of raising a new generation. There is a narration from Ibn Ishaq regarding the journey of Ibrahim and his family to Makkah, which states: “Abdullah ibn Abi Yahya narrated to me from Mujahid and others among the scholars: ‘When God revealed to Ibrahim the location of the Ka‘bah, he set out from Syria, bringing his infant son Isma’il, who was still nursing, along with his mother, Hajar. With them was Jibril, guiding Ibrahim to the place of the House and the landmarks of the Sacred Area. As they passed by each village, Ibrahim would ask, “Is it here that I am commanded to stop, O Jibril?” Jibril would respond, “Continue.” This continued until they reached Makkah, which at that time was a barren place with no people except for a group called the Amalekites who lived outside Makkah and around it. The House at that time was a raised, red mound. Ibrahim then asked Jibril, “Is it here that I am commanded to place them?” Jibril said, “Yes.” Ibrahim then placed them near the spot where the stone (of the Ka‘bah) was later positioned and instructed Hajar to set up a shelter for herself there. Then, Ibrahim prayed, as mentioned in the Quran (14:37): ‘O Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in an uncultivable valley near Your Sacred House, Lord, so that they might establish their prayers. So, make people’s hearts incline towards them and provide