10 Life-Changing Lessons from the Story of Hajar & Ibrahim | Jumuah Khutbah | Dr. Yasir Qadhi

The Season of Hajj and Its Reminders

My dear brothers and sisters, it is the season of hajj. And hajj brings forth many reminders. And of the necessary reminders of hajj is the story of the founding of the house in Mecca. The first house of worship that Allah legislated for mankind. And that story which has been mentioned in the Qur'an and in the traditions of the Prophet, like all of the Qur'anic stories, has much wisdom for us.

So today insha'Allah we will extract 10 blessings, wisdoms, benefits, morals, from the story of Ibrahim and Hajar, from the story of Ismail, and take those lessons for us to benefit from directly.

We all know the outline of the story, where Allah commanded Ibrahim to take Hajar and Ismail, and to leave them in Mecca for a period of time, and then come back again later on, and be monitoring them. And Allah tested Ibrahim through the sacrificial dream that he saw of Ismail. And Allah commanded Ibrahim to build the Kaaba, and to call people to hajj. That story which occurs multiple times in the Qur'an, from it we can derive so much morality and wisdom, ethics and akhlaq that will shape how we ourselves view our world.

First Lesson: The Extraordinary Tawakkul of Hajar

Of the benefits of that story is the iman, the tawakkul of our mother Hajar. Our mother Hajar, who was born in a foreign land, who did not understand the language or the religion of Prophet Ibrahim when she was introduced to the household. She came from another religion, another society, and yet her iman, her belief in Allah reached such exemplary heights, that Allah legislated our rituals based upon her own footsteps.

Our mother Hajar, when Ibrahim left Hajar and Ismail, he was so full of love and compassion, and his eyes were almost crying, he couldn't verbalize why he was leaving her. And he felt she would not understand, how would she understand that Allah is telling them to leave him, her and the child in the desert. Ibrahim felt she's not gonna understand, I have no choice but to simply leave her.

And so he put them under the tree, there was no Kaaba, there was no Zamzam, and he simply turned around and walked away. And Hajar is completely perplexed. Where are you going? What are you doing? And Ibrahim is controlling his own emotions. He was a kind, tender-hearted man. His heart was full of compassion, he couldn't say anything.

And Hajar understands something is not normal. This is not the Ibrahim that I have grown to love. This is not the father of my son. This is not the person I recognize. And the only explanation she can understand, she asks, did Allah command you to do this? She understands my husband would not leave me. She understands Ibrahim would not let us go. This must be something that is coming from up high.

And that was when Ibrahim could utter one word. Yes, naam, that's all I can say. Yes, I don't know why, I don't understand, I don't know what's gonna happen. All I know, Allah told me that I should leave you under this tree and that's it.

What does Hajar say? Hajar turns back because Ismail is alone there. And says, if he commanded you, then he shall never abandon us. That level of tawakkul, of yaqeen, of trust in the divine plan. Coming from a lady that was born and raised on paganism. Coming from a person that was not exposed to tawheed from childhood. Coming from somebody who has probably been a Muslim less than five years at this point in time. But in her relationship with Ibrahim, with the reality of the Prophet's household, her iman has reached such heights that she has full submission, calmness, tawakkul, that Allah will take care of me.

How I wish I had even a fraction of that amount. How I wish we could get even a percentage of that. Everything is happening from a plan of Allah. As Allah says in the Qur'an:

Nothing will happen to you. Allah is telling us to say this as believers. Allah is teaching us the du'a. Say, O Muslim, nothing is gonna happen to me unless Allah has willed it. Allah is my protector. Allah is spoon feeding you this du'a to teach you. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.

That level of tawakkul, of yaqeen, we call it in Arabic, rida. You are submitting to the divine plan. And whoever trusts in Allah, Allah will be sufficient for him. Whoever's heart reaches out to Allah in submission, in content, Allah will take care of him. And the story proves this.

Second Lesson: Tawakkul with Action

Of the lessons we learn from this reality is that having tawakkul, having yaqeen, having ikhlas, having rida, does not impact our own physical reality. The spiritual realm does not impact our mechanism for trying to bring about Allah's blessings and change. In other words, even though she knew Allah would take care of them, she didn't just sit under the shade and wait for the skies to pour forth rain.

When her water ran out, when her supplies ran out, she realized that she needs to find food. Even though she trusts Allah, she knows you need to go look for what Allah is gonna give you. Miracles happen, but you have to put in the effort for the miracle to happen. There is no such thing in Islam as sitting back and letting divine qadr directly intervene. No, divine qadr will intervene, but only when you bring about the context, when you show Allah you are interested, you are wanting Allah's blessings.

And what this story also shows us, as Allah says in the Qur'an, usually the help will come from places you least expected:

She is looking in the distance and she sees far away Safa and Marwa. Safa and Marwa are far away from Ismail, but she has to leave the child there. So she goes, and the reason for her climbing is so that she can look for miles beyond. And the miracle is waiting for her right where she left it. The miracle is waiting right where she was sitting under that tree.

Because Allah will give you the miracle. Allah will open the door, but you have to continue knocking. And perhaps the door that Allah opens is not the door you were knocking. But because you were knocking, because you were striving, because you were searching, Allah's rizq and nasr will come from places you never expected.

So the second lesson we learn is yes, Allah will help you when you have tawakkul. But you need to do everything that is reasonable, everything in your power. If you don't have a job, write up a resume, send around. If you need to get married, then be open and see who can you marry. If you need to do this, if you need to do that, your job is to put in the effort. And then you make du'a and put your tawakkul in Allah.

Third Lesson: From Tragedy Comes the Greatest Blessings

The third lesson that we can learn from the story of Hajar, from the story of Ismail, from the story of the building of the Ka'bah, is that generally speaking, from the depths of tragedy, the greatest blessings come about. From the most difficult of situations, the most radical changes occur.

Here, she thinks she's gonna lose her life, maybe potentially she's not gonna be there for Ismail. And yet from that tragedy, Allah blesses that land to become the greatest, holiest sanctuary in this whole earth. There is no land holier than that land. But before that point in time, it was not announced. It took that act of courage, that act of tawakkul, it took the sacrifice of Hajar and Ismail to then announce to the world:

This is the first house, the grand sanctuary that Allah has made for mankind. That would only have happened, the first house built, the well of Zamzam, the city of Mecca, its very birth comes from a potential tragedy.

Next time you and I are facing some tragedy, next time there's a difficult situation in your life, put your tawakkul in Allah that from that tragedy, your situation will change so radically that this will be a new beginning, a new birth. Have high hopes of Allah from the depths of tragedy, Allah opens up and changes.

And this is by the way throughout the whole Qur'an, the story of Yusuf, the story of Ghar Thawr, and the Prophet and the conquest of Mecca, over and over again, that we see that in order to get to that high plateau, in order to get to those divine blessings, you need to struggle for a while, you need to put in the effort, you need to face hardship, and it is only after hardship, Allah blesses you with a blessing so great, so magnificent, but you would never have gotten it had you not gone through that hardship.

So while we don't like hardship, while we don't want it to come, if you and I are facing a hardship, then learn from this story, and put your hope in Allah, and expect insha'Allah, as Allah says in the Qur'an:

Allah will bring after difficulty, Allah will bring much ease. Put your hope in Allah in this regard.

Fourth Lesson: Even Prophets Must Nurture Iman in Their Children

A fourth blessing that we learn from this story is that even the prophets, they have to inculcate and nurture iman in their children. Iman is not hereditary. Iman, unlike wealth, is not hereditary. Doesn't matter who you are, you have to nurture your child, you have to train your son and daughter, you have to be with them and treat them the way they need to be treated.

And we learn from the seerah, we learn from the books of hadith, that Ibrahim multiple times he would visit Makkah, he would interact with Ismail. And in that famous episode that the Qur'an mentions, even when Allah commands him to the vision that he sees, he takes Ismail on a walk, and he explains to him, Oh Ismail, let me explain to you, Allah showed me a dream, what do you think I should do?

He is wanting Ismail to be willing, he is wanting Ismail to show that iman. And Ismail says:

Oh my father, if Allah has commanded you, then you have no choice, do as Allah has chosen you to do, commanded you to do. You're gonna find me to be willing and patient.

Even the prophets, they need to train their children, they need to inculcate iman in their children. That's the reality of how building iman takes place.

Fifth Lesson: The Power of Pure Intention

Of the blessings we learn from the story of Ibrahim and Hajar, is that the intention to do a good deed is at times more important than the deed itself. Allah blesses intention more than He blesses outer form. Allah blesses inner spirituality more than He blesses the physical outer.

Here, the intention of Ibrahim to implement Allah's command was what saved him from actually implementing Allah's command. The intention, I shall do it, I will obey Allah, that intention was given so much status that it actually benefited and saved and blessed. Allah values what is inside. And the outer, sometimes we do it good, sometimes we're not able to do it, but Allah will still bless us.

We all know, إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ. We all understand this reality and this incident further proves this point.

So, everything begins with intention. Intend to do good, even if you don't have it. Intend to give so much charity, intend to bring about changes, intend to do every good you can imagine, begin with high aspirations. And guess what? Some of them you might fulfill, others Allah will bless you to do even more. And even those that you don't do, if you were truly sincere, Allah will reward you simply for imagining and daydreaming and wanting.

What a beautiful Lord we have. If you intend to do good, even if you don't do it, Allah will bless you with some good. Then why are we being stingy when we have such a generous Lord?

The Power of Sincere Intention

Why are we not wanting more from Allah when Allah is going to give us so much without asking? بغير حساب So, everything begins from the inner side. Intend to be a good person, intend to benefit people, intend to bring about change, intend global peace, intend free Gaza, intend everything. Make a sincere intention and perhaps Allah will open some doors. And others, Allah will bless other people. And worst case scenario, even if you actually were not able to do, your intention will insha'Allah make you amongst the righteous.

Sixth Lesson: Thinking Long Term and Being Visionaries

We learn this from the story of Ibrahim and Ismail. Of the benefits as well, the sixth benefit from the story of Ibrahim and Ismail. We see this throughout the entire story. Thinking long term and being visionaries. Ibrahim (peace be upon him), he is already thinking about generations ahead. He's thinking about calling people to the hajj and there is no hajj, but he's still calling for hajj. He's understanding Mecca will become a holy land and there is no Mecca at this time.

He's making du'a to Allah, O Allah, make my children and all their children after them of those who are righteous and praying. He doesn't even have grandchildren. He's making du'a for his great, great, great, great grandchildren. I ask you by Allah, when was the last time you made du'a for your own grandchild or great grandchild who doesn't even exist? When was the last time you even thinking about your own progeny? Much less somebody else is in the future of civilization. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is thinking about the future of mankind.

He's making du'a to Allah to eliminate idolatry. I don't want anybody to worship false gods. He's making du'a to Allah to bless Mecca. He's making du'a to Allah to make Mecca a safe place. There is no Mecca. There is no city of Mecca. There is no civilization of Mecca. But his du'a, O Allah, رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ آمِنًا O Allah, make this house a safe house. What an amazing visionary that his heart, his goal is in the future. And he wants that future to actualize. And guess what? All of his visions became a reality by Allah's blessings. All that he desired came true.

So, why are you only thinking about today and tomorrow? Why are you only concerned with your own short lifespan? You and I will not be here after a period of time. We all know this. So start daydreaming of the future. Your own future. Your own progeny, your own grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Make society a better place. Leave them a legacy they can be happy with.

That's what Ibrahim himself made a du'a, وَاجْعَلْ لِي لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِي الْآخِرِينَ O Allah, make for me a legacy that others will look up to after I'm gone. He's already thinking generations ahead. He's already making du'a, O Allah, وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي From my children, I want righteous to come.

And so 4,000 years later, 3,000 years later, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) comes, and he says, أَنَا دَعْوَةُ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ I am the fulfillment of the du'a of my father Ibrahim. He made that du'a, I am that fulfillment. Can you understand, imagine, the greatest human being to ever walk the face of this earth. And he says, that was the vision planted by my father Ibrahim (peace be upon him). أَنَا دَعْوَةُ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ SubhanAllah, start being visionaries, start thinking multi-generation, start thinking about how to make change. And guess what, some of it might happen, even if it doesn't, that is the only way you are gonna start thinking about something greater than you, greater than your own finite and mortal existence. We learn this from the story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him).

Seventh Lesson: The Importance of Sacrifice for Allah

Of the blessings of the story of Ibrahim, the seventh blessing is the importance of sacrifice for the sake of Allah. Now, with Ibrahim (peace be upon him), that sacrifice is unique to him. Alhamdulillah, we are not asked to sacrifice our children, alhamdulillah. Only the prophets are tasked with these types of things, right? But the concept of sacrificing for Allah, that is what it means to be a Muslim. You submit your desires, you control your own life, your own things that you do and you don't do. There is sacrifice for what you want to do because Allah does not want you to do that.

So if our father Ibrahim (peace be upon him) could demonstrate that he is willing to sacrifice the purest and the most beloved object to him, for the sake of Allah. If he's willing to demonstrate that he's going to choose Allah over anything other than Allah. Well then, how about our haram lifestyle? Shouldn't we sacrifice our haram lifestyles? How about the haram sustenance, the haram pleasures? How about sacrificing our time to pray on time? Sacrificing our wealth to give sadaqah and zakah? We thank Allah, Allah is asking us so little compared to Ibrahim (peace be upon him).

But the concept of giving something up, when was the last time and we're entering the days of hajj, we're entering when these things happen, we're entering the very symbolism of exactly what we are celebrating in these 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. When was the last time you and I genuinely wanted something, love something, then realize, you know what? Allah doesn't want that from me, I will give it up for the sake of Allah. Because when you do so, Allah will bless you like He blessed Ibrahim.

When Ibrahim showed Allah that he's willing to give up everything, فَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِإِسْحَاقَ وَمِنْ وَرَاءِ إِسْحَاقَ يَعْقُوبُ We're gonna give you more, don't worry. We're not gonna take your son away, we're gonna give you another son, we're gonna give you grandchildren as well. You're gonna enjoy plenty. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said, no one gives up something for the sake of Allah, except that Allah will give him more than what he gave up.

I mean, we have a generous Lord, a Lord that will reward you when you demonstrate loyalty to Him. So learn from the story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). We all have aspects of our lives that need to be cut off and sacrificed. And they are evil. They are not like the sacrifice Ibrahim (peace be upon him), pure. That was the test from him. For us, our sacrifices for Allah, we should not have them in our lives. They are harmful to us. And Allah is telling us to sacrifice those haram things for our own good. And yet we are struggling. So learn from the story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and be willing to cut off that which will harm you, so that Allah will bless you with that which will benefit you.

Eighth Lesson: Not Every Commandment Needs to be Understood

Of the lessons we learn as well, the eighth point in our 10 points that we have time for. Of the lessons we learn as well is the fundamental theological lesson that is so important for our generation. And that is, not every commandment needs to be understood. Not every hukum, not every ruling of Allah has to be rationalized by you. There are commandments I don't understand, you don't understand. But we know Allah commanded them. And Ibrahim's entire story, Hajar's entire story, Ismail's entire story demonstrates, if Allah commands, I have to obey. If Allah commands, I do not have the option to question why.

The commandments Ibrahim (peace be upon him) were commanded to do, the rational mind doesn't understand them. And of course in the end that wasn't enacted, Allah saved Ismail. But there was no chance to question, there was no reason to question. Ismail himself said, if Allah commanded you, notice, not even a why, why would he do that? What's the point? And of course our generation, they're trained, it's not their fault. They're trained to question everything. They're trained to push back. That's the society we live in, we get that, right?

Just understand though, if it is an explicit commandment from Allah, from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), if we have iman, then there cannot be a questioning to challenge. There may be a questioning to understand the wisdom, if we understand, fine. If we don't understand, سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا. If we don't understand, if Allah says it, I have to do it. And this story demonstrates that's reality.

Ninth Lesson: The Beauty of Personal Struggle

The ninth point in this story of Ibrahim and Hajar (peace be upon them), is the fact that, the fact that the beauty of a personal struggle, the sacrifice of Hajar, the pain that she felt, and she was all alone. There was nobody witnessing. Can you imagine how confused she must have been, even though she knows Allah will take care, but she doesn't know how. Maybe she will die and somebody will take the child. She doesn't know what's gonna happen.

Can you imagine when she's walking between Safa and Marwah, and she goes into that dip, and the reason why she runs that valley is because she cannot see Ismail in case a wolf comes. So she runs in between that valley. That's why there was a valley once upon a time, where we run between the green lines, that used to be a valley back in the day. And Safa and Marwah were two mountains much larger. So she walked all the way to the top. Then when she gets down, when she goes into the valley, she jogs so that she can only stay away from Ismail for a short period of time. That entire episode, imagine her frame of mind.

And from that sacrifice, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala chose to make an entire ritual that not one or two people witnessed, not hundreds followed, not even millions, billions of people, billions of people have taken her footsteps as their footsteps. Have taken her rituals as our rituals. It is as if Allah is demonstrating, no matter what good you do, I shall record it. It is as if Allah is giving us comfort and calm that Hajar, you're not alone. Your iman, your trust, it has been recorded and it has been legislated for all of mankind. And in that is consolation. Yes, not every person's personal sacrifice will become rituals. But it is as if Allah is indicating as Allah says in the Quran:

I'm not gonna cause to go to waste the good deeds of the one who does good. Doesn't matter if somebody seen you or not, Facebook post or not, all of the YouTube said, Oh, your good deeds, Allah is watching. Nobody was there, but Allah recorded. And Allah legislated rituals إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ And this is an indication that every good that you do, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will be aware and will record it.

The Strength and Courage of Women

And one final point that I have, which is not necessarily a theological one, but honestly it is something that is a very interesting and important aspect and issue. And that is for me personally looking at this story. SubhanAllah. You see in it, you know, there used to be a claim it's not politically incorrect to say, but when I was growing up, you would be allowed to say that women are the fairer sex, the gentler sex. These days it's politically incorrect, you cannot say that. But that's what we were taught back in the 80s. For centuries people would say, women are the gentler sex.

But subhanAllah, when you see the himmah, the courage, the resolve, when you see the sheer audacity of women like Hajar, when you see how they're willing to do everything they can to protect those whom they love, then wallahi they become role models for all people who call themselves brave men. I say to you wallahi, the sacrifice of our women, of our pious women, especially those who they are trying to struggle on their own, they don't have spouses, they are divorced, they're widows, they're raising children on their own, the resolve they have, the courage they have, the himmah they have, the amount that they sacrifice, wallahi it is something that it should be worthy of admiration and encouragement for all of us. And we see this in our mother Hajar.

A Theological Point: Allah Does Not Command Evil

And one final point before I conclude the first khutbah, it's a theological point, but it needs to be said. Not quite related to the morals, but it needs to be said. You know in the Christian literature and in the philosophical literature of medieval Europe, there was a very important question asked. How could God command Abraham with an evil commandment to sacrifice his son? And you have famous philosophers, Kierkegaard, others, they have treatises on this. How can a just God command Ibrahim, Abraham, to sacrifice an innocent child? This is not justice. And it's a big philosophical issue that is raised. And some of our own scholars got involved in this.

And I understand that. From my perspective, the solution is very easy. A very easy solution. And it is a beautiful solution. Allah says in the Quran:

Allah never commands evil. Allah says, I'm not gonna command evil.

So look at the story again. Did Allah verbalize a command to kill an innocent child like Ismail? No. Rather, what Allah did is that He showed Ibrahim a dream of an act, a scene that is going to happen. Because the Prophet's dreams are true. All Prophets have true dreams. Prophets do not have imagination dream. What they see will happen. Ibrahim saw himself lifting up an axe and Ismail lying down on the ground. Ibrahim saw that. He did not see the axe coming down. He did not see blood. He did not see a dead Ismail. He saw Ismail lying on the ground and his axe raised up. And he interpreted that Ismail would be killed.

So he says to Ismail that Allah commanded me to sacrifice you. He said Allah commanded me to sacrifice you. Allah did not command a sacrifice. Allah showed Ibrahim the precursor to the sacrifice. And Ibrahim understood it to be the sacrifice. So then when Ismail is lying down and the axe is raised and the scene is fulfilled. The exact scene comes to being. At that point in time, Allah says to Ibrahim, Enough. You have done what I commanded you to do. What did Allah command him to do? That scene. The actual sacrifice was not a command of Allah. It was only would you get this far. And he got that far. And when he got that far, Allah substituted the ram that we are going to do udhiyah for.

So the good point for us is that in our tradition we don't have to worry about this philosophical issue. Actually Allah did not command Ibrahim in this manner. What he showed him was the dream. And that dream was in fact fulfilled. With this we can summarize the story of Ibrahim and Hajar, the story of Ismail, the story of the building of the Kaaba. It shall forever remain relevant to all of us throughout all time frame. May Allah make us of those who benefit with and through the Quran. And may He make us of those who its verses they understand and apply halal and haram throughout our lifespan. Ask Allah's forgiveness to you as well. Ask Him for His maghfur and the Rahman.

The Blessed Days of Dhul-Hijjah

Some of us will be departing for Hajj soon, but the bulk of us are going to remain here. And even for those who are going to remain, even if they are not physically in the Hajj, they should spiritually undertake that journey as well. Because these days that are going to come upon us in just a week, these days are the holiest days of the entire year. So even if you are not going for Hajj, Allah wanted me and you to purify ourselves during these days.

These 10 days, all acts of the religion are legislated. Giving charity, doing dhikr, praying extra, giving udhiyah. And if you go for Hajj, excellent. If not, then spend those days fasting over here. These are the most blessed and the holiest days of the year. And they are about to come upon us. So even if you are not written amongst the hujjaj this year, then be amongst those whose hearts make the journey to Allah. Be amongst those whose spirit is purified like the hujjaj are purified.

And on the day of Arafah, when others are standing at Arafah, you should be fasting over here. On the day of Arafah, when people are begging Allah for forgiveness, the sahaba and tabi'oon who did not go for Hajj, they would congregate in their masajid or in their houses and they would do extra dhikr on that day, extra dua on that day. So even if you are not physically going for Hajj, still you may spiritually come close to Allah. You may spiritually cleanse yourself of all of your sins. You may spiritually return to Allah and come back a changed person. That is the goal of all of us during these 10 days.

May Allah make us of those who benefit from everything blessed Allah has given us. Straighten your rows, leave no gaps in the line.