By Dr. Heba Salah

Senior Researcher and Interpreter

      As the ten sacred days of Dhul-Hijjah begin and the season of Hajj draws near, we remember the remarkable legacy of Lady Hajar, the Egyptian—wife of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and mother of Prophet Ismail. Her story is not merely a tale from the past, but a living testimony to unwavering faith, enduring patience, and the pivotal role of women in shaping sacred history. Hajar crafted a legacy so profound that it will live on as long as the heavens and the earth remain.

Whoever is blessed by Allah to visit the Two Holy Sanctuaries—al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah—will find that Zamzam water is unlike any other. It nourishes both body and soul. Just a few sips are enough to quench thirst and revive energy. Some Muslims witnessed this during 'Umrah in Ramadan, when dates and Zamzam alone were sufficient to sustain the fasting worshipper in devotion. Reflecting on these divine blessings, one considers them as the reward granted to a woman who endured unimaginable hardship with faith and strength—Lady Hajar.

Her faith was so deep it could melt stone. As the Qur’an says:
“And indeed, from the rocks there are some from which rivers gush forth; and indeed, from them are some that split open and water comes out; and indeed, from them are some that fall down in awe of Allah.” (Qur'an 2:74)

Hers was the kind of faith that does not crumble in the face of overwhelming trials. When Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) left her and their infant son in the barren valley—described in the Qur’an as “a valley without vegetation”—she didn’t panic. She asked him calmly, “Did Allah command you to do this?” When he replied, “Yes,” she responded with unshakable trust: “Then He will not forsake us.”

Those few words were the key to a divine treasure—the starting point of a rite that would become a pillar of Islam: Hajj. Had she doubted or hesitated, her story may have turned out differently. But Hajar knew that even when Allah’s command appears harsh, His mercy lies beneath. Her faith guided her into action, not passivity.

She ran between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times, searching for water for her starving child. Reflecting on her story, we sense that the more desperate her situation became, the more resolute her spirit grew. She would not stop seeking as long as she had strength. And every pilgrim today who performs the Sa‘i (walking) between Safa and Marwah can feel a glimpse of her struggle. We walk on smooth marble floors, cooled and comfortable, with water on either side—yet still we tire. How must Hajar have felt, running barefoot over scorching desert sand, the sun blazing above, her baby crying in her arms?

But her perseverance was met with divine grace. Allah sent the Archangel Jibril to strike the earth beneath her son’s feet, and a spring burst forth—Zamzam. She drank, he drank and life returned.

Later, another immense trial came: the command to sacrifice her son. Once again, she submitted to Allah’s will—and He spared her child. In return, He honored her by making her the foremother of the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Lady Hajar was no ordinary woman. She was a singular, extraordinary figure—what we might today call a “strong, independent woman”—but her strength was rooted in deep understanding. She knew she was the wife of a Prophet, and that their trials were not random misfortunes but divinely guided steps. Her striving in the midst of fear was her way of saying to her Lord, “I know You will not abandon us. Let Your relief come soon.”

Lady Hajar’s story is not just one of endurance—it is a model of how women, through faith and action, can respond to crisis, shape sacred rituals, and be honored eternally by Allah. Her story reminds us that our real challenge today is not merely to read, but to read with reflection—to understand trials, to trust in Allah’s wisdom, and to see divine mercy even in moments of despair.

Just as a spring was opened for Hajar and her son, her story overflows with meaning: certainty in Allah, confidence in what lies in His hands, and the truth that trials are inseparable from human life. History, when read fairly, honors both men and women. But misinterpretations and selfish readings of scripture have obscured that balance.

It is enough honor for Lady Hajar that every drop of Zamzam water ever consumed counts as a tribute to her enduring faith—a legacy still flowing for all who believe.