2014.09.26 | 1 Dhul Hijjah 1435 AH

Fatima Moolla of Timeless Teenz takes a small glimpse into the eventful life of Haajira (AS) and draws a lesson in patience from the struggles she endured.

Ebrahim (as) who was said to be the father of all the Prophets was blessed with a beautiful wife. She displayed remarkable quantities of tolerance, patience, obedience and trust in Allah Ta’ala. She is thus duly honoured by Allah Ta’ala.

Allah Ta’ala says in the Glorious Quran:

“Indeed Allah is with those who are patient.”

When the pangs of hunger overcame Haajira (as) after her provisions were exhausted in the desert plains of Makkah Mukarramah, she sought patience from Allah and made dua for her difficulty to be eased. The real moment of exercising patience is when the calamity or difficulty strikes. It is the immediate response that will determine whether a person is patient or not.  

Like any other mother, Haajira (as) could not bear her baby crying out of extreme hunger. It was this pitiful sight that drove her to run frantically between two hills named Safa and Marwa seven times. The outcome of her patience is what marks the pilgrimage rite of Sa’ee between mount Safa and Marwa. Jibraeel (as) hit the ground with his wing until fresh, pure, crystal clear water gushed forth from beneath the tiny heels of the baby. It was flowing so rapidly that Haajira(as) exclaimed: “Stop! Stop!” in the language spoken at that time and built a basin around it to store the water. That sanctified water became known as Zam Zam which means ‘Stop! Stop!’  This four thousand year old stream is still flows providing millions of pilgrims with enriched water which has many benefits and an promised acceptance of dua.

One outstanding quality of Haajira (AS) that has to be held in high regard is her obedience to her husband and trust in AllahTa’ala. When  Ebrahim (as) settled his wife and child in a comfortable spot in the vast desert and headed towards Palestine alone, it was only then that Haajira(Alay salaam) realised that she will not be accompanying him on his journey. When curiosity got the better of her she trailed behind her husband saying: “Are we to be left alone in this valley with no water, food or companions?” To that Ebrahim (as) did not respond. So she kept posing the question repeatedly without getting an answer from him. Thereafter she said, “Did Allah command you to do this?”  He replied, “Yes.”  Upon hearing this, eloquently and with a complete reliance on Allah she said: “Then we will not be lost.”

She knew that Allah Ta’ala would take care of her affairs if He was the One who instructed Ebrahim (as) to cast them aside. An Arab tribe called Jurham, traveling from Yemen who noticed water birds hovering above the camp site of Haajira (as) eventually made Makkah their permanent home with the permission of Haajira (as). She thus had no doubt that this was a sign of Allah’s guardianship over her and her son. Patience pays.

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