HAJAR: THE MOTHER
OF ISHMAEL
In the structure of life, a woman may outwardly appear to represent only half of the whole. Yet, in practical terms, she holds a central and indispensable role. As Alphonse de Lamartine (1790–1869), the French author, poet, and statesman, rightly said: “There is a woman at the beginning of all great things.”
A shining example from ancient history is the remarkable woman known as Hajar (Hagar), who lived around the 20th century BCE. Through her extraordinary sacrifice, a noble lineage emerged in the Arabian desert. This lineage would later lead to the mission of the Prophet of Islam and ultimately drive one of the greatest revolutions in human history.
One of the rituals of Hajj is known as Sa’i, performed between the hills of Safa and Marwah, which are approximately 395 meters apart. In addition to those performing Hajj, Muslims from around the world who come for Umrah also perform this ritual after Tawaf (the circumambulation of the Kaaba). Thus, the practice of Sa’i continues throughout the year.
What is this Sa’i that Muslims, young and old, faithfully perform? It is a reenactment of the steps taken by Hajar. When Prophet Abraham left Hajar and her infant son in the desert near Makkah, they had only a small pouch of water. When it ran dry, she ran back and forth between the two hills seven times in search of water. This running became part of her great sacrifice. God valued her act so highly that He made it an essential rite of Hajj—obligatory for all Muslims to follow her footsteps during both Hajj and Umrah.
Through Hajar’s sacrifice, a new chapter in history began. She laid the foundation for what would become one of the greatest transformations in human civilization. In that sense, she holds the status of a founder of revolution in human history. It was through this sacrifice that all people were commanded to follow her example.
After the time of Adam—the first human being and the first prophet—people continued to follow the path of monotheism for a long period. Over time, however, awareness of the concept of monotheism began to fade. As a result, polytheism gradually spread and became part of the cultural landscape.
In ancient times, polytheism had become so deeply embedded in human society that it was considered part of civilization itself. Entire cultures were shaped by polytheistic thinking. As a result, those who believed in monotheism were constantly subjected to religious persecution. Thousands of prophets were sent, one after another, to call people toward monotheism. But due to long-standing cultural conditioning, people resisted change. The message of monotheism remained confined to intellectual circles—it could not spark a true revolution, because a committed team of believers had not yet been formed.
Following divine revelation, Prophet Abraham developed a new strategy: to establish a new generation in an uninhabited land, far removed from the cultural pressures of existing civilization, where this generation could grow in a natural environment and preserve its moral and spiritual purity. This generation would then receive the message of monotheism and produce individuals capable of launching a global movement.
Accordingly, four thousand years ago, Hajar was settled in the Arabian desert with her infant son Ishmael. As Ishmael grew, he married, and through his descendants, a new community emerged. Over generations, this lineage developed into what became known as the Banu Isma’il (Children of Ishmael). Eventually, from among them, Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib was born. He gathered a committed team from within this community and, through unwavering struggle, elevated the call to monotheism from an intellectual belief to a transformative global revolution.
The beginning of this vast historical plan lies in the sacrifice of a believing woman. Hajar settled in the desert of Makkah with her child and became the starting point of a divine mission. It is in honour of her role that Muslims around the world perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, retracing her steps during Hajj and Umrah.
This episode reveals the profound role a woman can play when she is resolute. Her determination and sacrifice can become the foundation for meaningful and lasting change.
