As Muslims worldwide gather for the revered Hajj pilgrimage or engage in fasting, prayer, and charity during the Dhul Hijjah period, it is crucial to reflect on the origin of Hajj.
The story begins with the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), revered as one of God's greatest creations. His life was marked by trials from which we derive profound lessons, making him an exemplary figure for humanity. Through unwavering faith and sincere submission, Prophet Ibrahim earned the title of The Friend of Allah.
A Prophet is Born
In ancient Babylon, idols were revered as divine beings. Ibrahim’s (AS) father, Aazer, was a renowned sculptor who crafted idols from stone or wood. As a child, Ibrahim (AS) observed his father's work and even played with the finished idols.
However, Ibrahim (AS) couldn't reconcile why people worshiped these statues in temples. His father explained that the idols represented gods to whom people offered food and gifts, seeking favors in return. But Ibrahim (AS) remained unconvinced. Deep in his heart, he believed this practice was misguided.
As Ibrahim (AS) matured, his conviction grew stronger that the idols worshiped by his people were false. He often questioned, "How can statues made of wood and stone be gods?" He saw them as mere objects, incapable of either benefit or harm.
Allah Calls to Ibrahim (AS)
One night, Ibrahim (AS) ascended a mountain to contemplate the heavens and observe nature. After a time, he heard a voice calling out to him—it was his Lord, Allah. Allah commanded Ibrahim (AS) to submit and embrace Islam.
Trembling with awe, Ibrahim (AS) fell to the ground in prostration. He fervently declared, "I submit to the Lord of all creation!" After some time, he rose to his feet and returned home. From that moment, Ibrahim's (AS) life was irrevocably changed, and his heart was enveloped in profound peace.
Ibrahim (AS) Begins Spreading the Message
Ibrahim (AS) now embarked on a new mission—to invite his people to the Truth and to guide them to accept Allah as the one true God. His first approach was to address his beloved father, saying:
“O Father! Why do you worship that which doesn't hear, doesn't see, and cannot avail you in anything? O father, I have got knowledge which you have not, so follow me. I will guide you to a straight path.” [Quran 19:42-48]
His father angrily rejected Ibrahim's (AS) plea and ordered him to leave his sight. Undeterred by his father's refusal, Ibrahim (AS) redirected his efforts toward his community, aiming to convey the message of Allah. Despite his sincere efforts, the people of his town stubbornly rejected his message and even threatened him with violence.
Inspired by divine guidance, Ibrahim (AS) resolved to adopt a different strategy to reach the hearts and minds of his people.
Ibrahim (AS) Takes a Different Approach
On the eve of a major celebration, Ibrahim (AS) anticipated that the townspeople would be away at a grand feast. Seizing the opportunity, he entered their temple with a prophetic mission: to dismantle their idols, leaving only the largest one intact, so he could confront them with their error.
Upon their return, the townspeople were shocked to find their idols shattered. They immediately recalled Ibrahim's earlier calls to worship Allah alone and follow the monotheistic path. They confronted him, demanding, "Are you the one who has done this?" Ibrahim calmly replied, "No, it was the largest idol here! Ask them if they can speak!" The townspeople retorted, "You know very well that idols cannot speak!" Ibrahim countered, "Then how do you worship things that cannot speak or see? They cannot even defend themselves. Have you lost your minds?"
The crowd fell silent, acknowledging Ibrahim's logical argument, yet their pride prevented them from abandoning the idols they had revered for generations. Anger and frustration surged among the people.
The Great Big Fire
The crowd clamored for Ibrahim (AS) to be burned alive in retaliation for the destruction of their idols. Nimrod, the king of Babylon, and his priests sanctioned this brutal punishment. Word spread swiftly, drawing thousands from across the kingdom to witness the execution.
A vast pit was excavated and filled with wood, creating an immense pyre. Ibrahim (AS) was bound tightly with chains around his hands and feet, then secured onto a giant catapult designed to hurl him into the blazing inferno. In this dire moment, Ibrahim (AS) was visited by the Angel Jibreel, who asked, "Is there anything you wish for?" Ibrahim (AS) replied with steadfast faith, stating that his sole desire was for Allah's pleasure. Rather than pleading for his life, he sought Allah's blessing.
Allah, in His infinite mercy, intervened to protect His Prophet. He commanded the raging flames to become cool and peaceful for Ibrahim (AS), burning away only his chains. Ibrahim (AS) emerged from the fire unscathed, untouched by sweat or smoke. Spectators were astounded, exclaiming, "Ibrahim's (AS) God has indeed saved him from the flames!"
Sarah and Ibrahim Get Married
After surviving the great fire, Ibrahim (AS) continued his pivotal mission: spreading Allah's teachings. Initially, only two people joined the religion, and they were Sarah and Lot. Both accepted and followed Ibrahim (AS). The trio journeyed through Syria and Palestine, calling people to serve Allah and engage in virtuous deeds.
Ibrahim (AS) and Sarah married with the hope of having children who would propagate Allah's message. However, as time passed, Sarah faced infertility. They relocated to Egypt, where Sarah was given a maidservant named Hajar.
Observing Ibrahim's (AS) hair turning white with age saddened Sarah deeply. Unable to bear the thought of him aging without children, she offered Hajar to Ibrahim as a second wife. After supplicating to Allah, Ibrahim (AS) and Hajar were blessed with a son whom they named Ismail (AS).
Hajar and Ismail (AS) Are Left in the Desert
Allah instructed Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to prepare Hajar and the baby Ismail (AS) for a lengthy journey. They traveled to the Arabian desert, where vast sand dunes stretched for miles without any signs of human habitation. Ibrahim (AS) guided Hajar and Ismail (AS) to climb a hill named al-Marwa. He then left them under the shade of a tree with a bag of dates and some water, before heading back home.
As their supplies of food and water dwindled, Hajar and Ismail (AS) grew increasingly thirsty and tired. In desperation, Hajar ran back and forth between the hills of as-Safa and al-Marwa seven times, hoping to spot a passing nomad in the distance. Exhausted, she eventually collapsed.
In that dire moment, Hajar heard a voice. The Angel Jibreel appeared and struck the ground with his foot, causing a stream of water to gush forth. Hajar quickly gathered the water to drink and filled her water-skin. This miraculous stream was named Zamzam, and it continues to provide holy water that Muslims drink during the Hajj pilgrimage.
With Zamzam as their new water source, Hajar was able to barter with passing travelers, ensuring she and Ismail (AS) had an ample supply of food and drink. The presence of the flowing water attracted more people, who settled nearby and gradually transformed the barren desert into a thriving community. They called this place Makkah. Ismail (AS) grew up to be a wise and healthy young man, learning Arabic and becoming an integral part of the growing settlement.
Ibrahim (AS) is Tested with Ismail (AS)
Years later, Ibrahim (AS) returned to Makkah to find his son Ismail (AS) grown into a man. He learned that Hajar had passed away during his absence. Allah then decided to test Ibrahim's submission once again.
In a dream, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) received instructions to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) to Allah. Ibrahim (AS) shared the dream with Ismail (AS), and both willingly submitted to Allah's will. Ismail (AS) lay prostrate with his forehead on the ground, while Ibrahim (AS) placed a sharp knife at his neck.
In that critical moment, Allah called out to Ibrahim (AS): "O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the vision. Thus do We reward the righteous." Suddenly, a large ram appeared as an alternative sacrifice. Instead of sacrificing his son, Ibrahim (AS) joyfully slaughtered the ram, offering it in obedience and praise to Allah.
The Kaaba is Built
Together, Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) continued their mission to call people to worship Allah, but there was no designated place solely for prayer. Ibrahim (AS) wished for a sacred sanctuary where people could find peace and devote themselves entirely to the worship of Allah. Soon after, Allah commanded Ibrahim (AS) to construct the Sacred House, known as the Kaaba.
Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismail (AS) worked together diligently to build the Kaaba. They selected a raised hillock and began laying its foundations. Ismail (AS) gathered the stones, while Ibrahim (AS) meticulously placed them to erect the towering walls. Once the construction was complete, the Angel Jibreel descended from the heavens to teach Ibrahim (AS) the rituals of Hajj.
Standing on a large stone platform, known as 'Makam Ibrahim,' Ibrahim (AS) addressed his people, urging them to obey Allah. This significant stone can still be observed near the Kaaba to this day.
Continuing in the Footsteps of Ibrahim (AS)
To this very day millions of Muslims around the world follow the sacred steps of Ibrahim (AS) by performing the Hajj rituals and doing qurbani.
