Hajj: A Commitment to Ultimate Sacrifice

HAJJ: A Historic Act them with fruits so that they may be grateful.” (Tafsir al-Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 554). According to another narration, at that time, there was no one in Makkah, and there was no water. Ibrahim left them there with a bag of dates and a water skin, then turned to leave. Hajar followed him and said, “O Ibrahim, where are you going? Are you leaving us in this desolate valley where there is neither a single human being nor any means of sustenance?” She repeated this several times, but he did not look back. Finally, she asked, “Has God commanded you to do this?” Ibrahim replied, “Yes.” She then said, “Then He will not abandon us,” and returned to her place. Ibrahim continued until he was out of sight. Then, facing the direction where the Ka‘bah would later be built, he raised his hands in supplication and offered the (Quranic) prayer mentioned above. (Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Vol. 9, p. 368). Hajar nursed her child and drank from the water, but when the water was used up, she and her infant son, Isma’il, became thirsty. She looked at him, twisting and writhing in agony from extreme thirst and discomfort, and she could no longer bear to watch. She ran to the nearest hill, Safa, looking for someone but saw no one. She descended and ran in the valley, then climbed Marwah, again looking for someone but finding no one. She did this seven times. Ibn Abbas said the Prophet Muhammad remarked: “That is why people perform Sa’i between them.” When Hajar reached Marwah, She said to herself, “Be still!” trying to calm her nerves. Then she listened closely and heard the sound again. She called out, “I hear