Jahangir Mohammed argues that Sayyida Hajar plays a central role in the Hajj and is the mother of the Muslim nation. He also claims that Hajar and her son Ismail (as) are at the heart of the division between Christians, Jews, and Muslims as well as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Hajar (Hagar) the African Woman and Migrant at the Heart of the Hajj

As another Hajj takes place, Muslims will focus on the sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim (as) and his son Ismail (as) in the story at the heart of the pilgrimage. However, there is another part of the story whilst recalled that does not get as much reflection and emphasis. It is the story of sayyida Hajar, the maid of Ibrahim (as) first wife Sayyida Sarah, who became his second wife and gave birth to the Prophet Ismail (as) from whom the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is said to have descended. Sayyida Hajar is not only central to the Hajj, but to the story of the birth of the Adnani Arab and Muslim nations.[i] Hajar and her son are also at the heart of the conflict that divides Muslims, Christianity, and Jews in the holy land of Palestine.

Contemporary inter-faith initiatives stress the common Abrahamic heritage of the three great faiths. Whilst there are verses in the Bible and historical sources that confirm a common story of Ibrahim (as) and his wives and sons, there are also significant differences, from which an anti-African, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim racism has developed.

The Prophet Ibrahim’s (as) wife Sarah could not conceive children. It was she who suggested that Hajar (in Christian sources considered a servant gifted to Sarah in Egypt by the King), become Ibrahim’s (as) second wife to bear a child for him. Ismail (as) was the elder son of Ibrahim (in Christian and Jewish sources it is Ishaq (as) who is considered the elder son). Later, Sarah also conceives in old age and the Prophet Ishaq (as) is born. Both sons are Prophets in Islam and dedicate their lives in the service of Allah (swt) and future Prophets are descended from them.

Water, New Life and New Community.

When Ismail (as) is born Allah (swt) commands Ibrahim (as) to take his new-born son and wife to the desolate desert of Makkah (the ancient name was Bakkah). They are left in the uninhabited desert with a little water and some dates. Hajar becomes distraught at being left on her own and questions Ibrahim (as) as he walks away “Where are you going? To whom will you leave us?”. Knowing he is a Prophet of Allah she eventually asks, “Has Allah commanded you to do this? “To which Ibrahim (as) replies yes. Being a true believer, she states with certainty, “if that is the case then Allah will not neglect us”. With absolutely no sign of life anywhere, and little to eat or drink she awaits her fate with complete tawakkul in Allah (swt). When the water and dates run out, she sees her child suffering and cannot bear to look at him. She leaves the child and in panic and desperation Hajar runs between the mounts of Safa and Marwa, seven times looking for help and ascending the mounts. Finally, Allah (swt) intervenes. She sees at the point where her baby is scratching the ground that water gushes out from a barren desert. Fearing the water would run out she shouts Zome, Zome (stop stop which becomes Zam Zam). This story is similar in the Bible in Genesis 21:8-21.

Later, people from the Yemeni tribe of Bani Jurham realising that there was water in desert come to the area and see Hajar there. They ask her permission to settle, and so a new settlement and nation is born in an uninhabited Makkah. Allah (swt) not only provided water to start life in the desert, but also sent a tribe to support Hajar and Ismail (as) to start a new community. Eventually Prophet Ibrahim (as) returns a few years later and the test of sacrifice of Ismail (as) takes place, another key part of the ritual of Hajj. Finally, it is among this new settlement/and people In Makkah that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is born, his mission starts, and the final revelation is delivered to humanity.

To this day, Zam Zam water flows from that same spot, and Muslims from all around the world drink from it. They also walk or run seven rounds between Safa and Marwa just as sayyida Hajar did, as part of the Hajj. Every time we drink Zam Zam we should remember the miracle of water, and the struggle and Tawakkul of Hajar and the new life that stemmed from it. [ii]

“The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakkah, Full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings’In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.” Al Qur’an, 3:96-97

The Struggle of Migrants, Mothers and Rise of Nations.

Hajar who is claimed to be an African servant in some sources and daughter of an Egyptian King in others, is in a real sense a mother of the Muslim nation. Whilst this story at the heart of the Hajj is one of divine guidance and mission, we can also draw an analogy from it with much of human history. It is a story often repeated today. At a time when migrants and refugees have become the objects of racism, abuse, and hate, it is worth reflecting on how migrants and refugees moving from one place to another (fleeing persecution, war or to better the lives for their children), have also been part of the human story through history. Migrants have given birth to new nations or have transformed the societies they move to. Today there are over 35 million refugees in the world, most are Muslims (fleeing persecution, racism, or economic misery in their own lands). Many of them are also women, mothers, as well as fathers who have fled or are fleeing with their children. They seek a better life for their children. Each one of them feels the same trauma as Hajar when they see their children suffering or with no future. Some of them risk their own lives on boats and in the back of trucks for their children, putting their complete trust in Allah (swt) for help to reach their destination. Many make it to a new life, but some do not, and even lose their children along the way. Many fathers and husbands have also sent their wives away or left them, whilst they also struggle against persecution and oppression or for a noble cause. Some will re-join their wives and children again, but many will not. Yet even when they are migrating and settling in other lands they face racism and prejudice too.

Hajar, Divine Revelation, Migrants and Racism.

The story of Hajar and Ismail (as) also develops into a story of division between the people who received previous prophetic missions and divine guidance, and those who received the final revelation.  From a Quranic point of view, it is apparent that Allah (swt) is preparing to pass the mantle of divine revelation and leadership from one people and region to another, because those with previous scripture will eventually reject prophets and deviate from their own earlier scriptures (the revealed ones). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the final messenger of Allah (swt) is viewed as an Arab from Makkah, by Christians and Jews. The direction of prayer of the Muslims also eventually shifts from Al Aqsa to the Kaaba in Makkah.

“O you who believe! Whoever of you turns away from his Religion, (know that) in time Allah will raise up a people whom He loves, and who love Him, most humble towards the believers, dignified and firm in the face of the dis-believers, striving (continuously and in solidarity) in Allah’s cause, and fearing not the censure of any who censure. That is Allah’s grace and bounty, which He grants to whom He wills. Allah is All-Embracing (with His profound grace), All-Knowing.” Al Quran 5:54

Whilst Muslims accept all the earlier Prophets including Musa (as) and Isa (as) as true messengers of Allah (swt), Christianity and Judaism reject the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, whilst Judaism also rejects Isa (as) as a messenger of Allah. One of the reasons for the rejection of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by Judeo-Christian religious and historical narratives and tradition is that he is judged in racial terms as an Arab and descendant of Hajar and her son Ismail i.e., racism. The historical Jewish and Christian authorities were expecting the messiah to be from among the Jewish people, believing that they were exclusively chosen by Allah to be recipients of divine revelation. In other words, they attribute racism to the Creator.

This is the same arrogance and racism reflected in the story of Iblis and the Prophet Adam (as) where Iblis believes himself to be superior, having worshipped Allah (swt) for an eternity, and questions the choice of the latest creation of the Almighty as Allah’s representative on earth. Racial supremacy is at odds with the Quranic message and Islam. Allah (swt) considers those to be superior who are the best in submission to His will and in righteous conduct. Allah (swt) is not restricted in his choice of people to follow him and deliver his message. There are no permanent” chosen people”, Jew, Arab or other race in that sense. Nor does Allah (swt) grant land and authority permanently to a people. The grant of land, power and authority is for those who obey him and observe righteous conduct and justice. This belief that lands belongs to a nation, race, or the Jewish people, by grant of God, and excludes others, for example Palestinians, is not just the at the heart of the Christian and Jewish Zionist narrative but can also be found among all contemporary debates about migrants and foreigners in different countries around the world today. Allah (swt) gives and takes away according to his own will and wisdom, he is the owner and human beings are just tenants, who must follow his conditions to remain settled on any part of it.

Aware of racism and the racial dimensions of the rejection of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and that Jews and Christians accept Ibrahim (AS) but were expecting a Jewish messiah, Allah (swt) clarifies the issue:

“Remember˺ when Abraham was tested by his Lord with ˹certain˺ commandments, which he fulfilled. Allah said, “I will certainly make you into an Imam (leader) for the people.” Abraham asked, “What about my offspring?” Allah replied, “My covenant does not extend to the wrongdoers.” Al Quran 2:124

“Do you claim that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants were all Jews or Christians?” Say, “Who is more knowledgeable: you or Allah?” Who does more wrong than those who hide the testimony they received from Allah? And Allah is never unaware of what you do.” Al Quran 2:140

Say, ˹O believers, ˺ “We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us; and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants; and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them. And to Allah we all submit.” Al Quran 2:136

Some Christian and Jewish theologians/historians have developed a racist anti-Arab and anti-Muslim version of this divine story from the verses in Genesis in the Bible, which has become popularised.

In the racist narrative developed from Genesis, Hajar is portrayed as an African slave woman or concubine who is gifted to Ibrahim (as). Being a slave, she is merely a surrogate for a child for Ibrahim (as) and has no significance beyond this role. Ismail (as) has no real importance and is not seen as a heir of Ibrahim’s (as) divine mission, leadership or the “promised land”. Hajar and Sarah are considered rivals, with Hajar forced to flee and refusing to return with Ismail (as) and his descendants are considered as wild and unruly people not following or subject to any laws.

The Bible also accepts that the Ismail (as) and his descendants will become a great nation “…I will make a great nation of Him”, but Christians and Jews say it is a different type of nation to those of Ishaq (as)

“He will be a wild donkey (ass) of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” Genesis 16:12

This view of the desert Arabs, and eventually Muslims as wild lawless people constantly at war and odds with others developed over the centuries. By the Middle Ages the offensive term Hagarines is used generally to describe Arabs and Muslims by Christians.

However, it is the stereotype of Muslims as war-like, lawless, extreme, and supporting violence against others which becomes enshrined in Christian and later Western anti-Islam and anti-Muslim tradition and political rhetoric. These stereotypes have also found their way into Western media even into Hollywood. [iii] With the “war on terror” the stereotypes of Muslims and their faith have even found their way into policies of governments around the world.

The Abrahamic Discords.

The Abrahamic Accords are a Western attempt to “reconcile” Muslims with Christians and Jews but particularly with the state of Israel, around the common figure and heritage of the Prophet Ibrahim (as) in the three faiths. At the same time, the racism of Christian and Jewish pro-Israel Zionists directed at the Arab and Muslim people continues. The denial of the right of Palestinian Muslims to exist in that land is openly being proclaimed today around Al Aqsa Mosque and in the West Bank, including the claim that Allah (swt) gave all this land to the Prophet Ishaq (as) and the Jewish people exclusively for all times. No self-respecting or believing Muslim or Arab can accept such a claim.

There appears more division around the children of Ibrahim (as) than there is commonality. That is demonstrated in injustices and oppression that are taking place in Palestine and the total support of the Western Christian world has given to the state of Israel (including the claim to Palestine and Jerusalem).[iv] It is also evident in the honour and respect that Muslims give to sayyida Hajar and her son Ismail (as), and how Islam places her story at the middle of a key pillar of the faith – the Hajj. This is in comparison to the status they both receive in Christian and Jewish narratives.

This Hajj and Eid let Muslims place emphasis on this story of our blessed mother Sayyida Hajar a mother of the Muslim Ummah. Let us recall the suffering and plight of all migrants desperate to make a better life for themselves and their children. Above all let us remember the courage and sacrifice of woman and mothers for their children and their contribution to nation building.

“O People of the Book! Why do you argue about Abraham, while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until long after him? Do you not understand?”

“Here you are! You disputed about what you have ˹little˺ knowledge of, but why do you now argue about what you have no knowledge of? Allah knows and you do not know.”

“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; he submitted in all uprightness and was not a polytheist.”

“Indeed, those who have the best claim to Abraham are his followers, this Prophet, and the believers. And Allah is the Guardian of those who believe.”

“Some of the People of the Book wish to mislead you ˹believers˺. They mislead none but themselves, yet they fail to perceive it.”

Al Quran 3: 165-169

[i] Hajar is derived from the Jewish and Arabic word for migrate.

[ii] In some sources Hajar and Ismail (as) are said to be buried in place known as the Hateem of the Kaaba, whilst other sources say there is no evidence for this.

[iii] Research published by Dr. Jack Shaheen in 2006 in a book examines how Hollywood stereotypes Arabs “Reel Bad Arabs, How Hollywood vilifies a people”.