After running back and forth in search of food, water, or people, Hajar returned to where her baby lie in the desert, only to find water gushing out from the sand under his feet. Rejoiced and surprised by the flow of water, but also afraid that the water might run out, Hajar began to enclose the spring of water with sand and stones and she scooped some water to fill her water skins. She said repeatedly," "Zummee, zummee!" which means "Stop flowing!" because she wanted to collect water for herself and her baby to drink. A miracle from Allah, the well of zamzam continues to flow freely, and has been a source of clean, rejuvenating drinking water for people, for about 4,000 years. Years after Prophet Ibrahim leaves his wife and infant son, he returns to Makkah. Hajar had passed away, but Ismail had grown into a young man. The faith and patience of pious people are constantly being tested, and once again, Prophet Ibrahim's faith and trust in Allah is tested. Prophet Ibrahim had a dream that he slaughters his son, Ismail. Torn between his love for his son and carrying out Allah's command, Prophet Ibrahim approaches his son and tells him about the vision. What a strong message this is to all parents! Talk to your children, ask for their opinion about important matters, and listen to what they have to say. It makes the child feel important. A prophet of God engaged his son in an open dialogue, rather than simply giving an ultimatum; we can all learn from this wise parenting approach. The son of a great prophet, who would also become a prophet, Ismail had strong faith in Allah and he told his father to obey Allah's command. He said to his father as mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, {O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.} (Chapter 37, verse 102) Both father and son responded to calamity with grace and patience, and obedience to Allah. This was but a test of faith. Ismail knelt down and just as Prophet Ibrahim raised his knife, Allah saved Ismail. Allah replaced Ismail with a sheep; Prophet Ibrahim slaughtered the sheep, and that day became a day of celebration, Eid ul-Adha. We learn about this story in the Holy Qur'an, in Surah As-Saffat, as Allah called to Ibrahim, {You have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial.} We all face tests and trials in our lives: sickness, loss of child or wealth. To pass the test and achieve a better outcome both in this world and in the next, we should learn to respond with the words of Ismail, "You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast, the patient." With patience and acceptance of Allah's will, not only did Ismail survive, but he was honored by Allah as being the one to rebuild the Holy Kaaba with his father, and Ismail also became a prophet. Another praiseworthy quality of Prophet Ibrahim, that we can try to implement in our own lives, is his generosity and hospitality. When guests visited Prophet Ibrahim, he prepared and served for his guests the most delicious foods and met them with the most pleasant and welcoming demeanor. Prophet Ibrahim disliked eating in his home unless he had a guest to eat with, so he often went looking for guests that he could invite to dinner. Once, Prophet Ibrahim received three guests that were actually angels sent by God. He instructed his household to cook and prepare a roasted calf for his guests. When he placed the dish in front of his guests, and they did not even touch the food, Prophet Ibrahim became frightened. His guests then revealed to him that that they were angels sent by God to bring him glad tidings that Sarah would have a child, a son. Husband and wife were astounded because Prophet Ibrahim was an old man and Sarah was barren; they had almost given up hope that Sarah would ever conceive a child. The angels said to Prophet Ibrahim, {We have given you good tidings in truth, so do not be of the despairing.} (Chapter 15, verse 55) Prophet Ibrahim replied, {And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for those astray?} (Chapter 15, verse 56) And yet, we learn another lesson from the life of Prophet Ibrahim, and that is to never give up hope that the mercy and relief from Allah is near. To despair and to be overly negative and pessimistic is not the mark of a Muslim. That is how Allah made Prophet Ibrahim the father of the prophets. From his elder son Ismail, came Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). From his younger son, Ishaq, came the chain of prophets; Yaqub, Yusuf, and their descendents. Prophet Ibrahim was also a leader and he paved the way for the Islamic teachings that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would call to. The high status that Prophet Ibrahim should hold in our hearts is evident in the following verses of the Holy Qur'an, verses 120 to 123 of Surah an-Nahl (Chapter 16): {Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allah , inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah . [He was] grateful for His favors. Allah chose him and guided him to a straight path. Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah.}
