Ibraaheem settled Haajar and Ismaa’eel there in an uncultivated land where there were no plants, water or other people and went back to Palestine. When Ibraaheem set off returning home, Haajar followed him and said, “Ibraaheem! Are you going to depart and leave us in this valley where no people live and with nothing for subsistence?” She repeated the question, but he did not turn to her. She asked him, “Did Allah order you to do so?” He replied, “Yes.” She said, “Then, He will not let us to perish.” Ibraaheem    resumed his marching along and when he reached the Thaniayh [a mountain trail] where he was hidden from her, he faced the House and raised his hands with supplication to Allah, saying, “O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Thy Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed them with Fruits: so that they may give thanks.” (Ibraaheem: 37).

Allah answered Ibraaheem’s (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) supplication after Haajar and her baby, Ismaa’eel, had experienced very hard times and the baby was on the verge of perishing. Loneliness and the lack of food and drink almost killed the woman and her child if it hadn't been for the grace of Allah and His mercy. No one who prays to Him is sent away disappointed and no one whom Allah looks down upon is lost.  And from  these difficult moments, the story of Allah's house begins along with the story of the Muslims walking back and forth between As-Safaa and Al-Marwahh every time they perform Hajj or ‘Umrah or make Tawaaf around the Holy House.  From here, as well, the story of Zamzam begins, that cool, refreshing water that is a cure for illnesses by the will of Allah.

The story is worthy of our concern and attention, worthy of being remembered whenever people walk between Safaa And Marwah doing Sa’ie, and whenever they drink Zamzam. Hajj should not be a mere religious ritual where people imitate their ancestors without knowledge, insight, or guidance. The story in full is as follows:

Bukhaarie narrated on the authority of Ibn `Abbaas who said: “The first lady to use a girdle was the mother of Ismaa’eel (Ismaa’eel).  She used a girdle so that she might hide her tracks from Saarah.  Ibraaheem brought her and her son, a suckling baby, Ismaa’eel, to a place near the Ka'aba under a tree above the location of the Well of Zamzam at the highest place in the mosque.  During these days, no one dwelt in Makkah nor was there any water. He settled them there and placed near them a leather bag containing some dates, and a small water skin contrainer containing some water. Ibraaheem then set out homeward. Ismaa’eel's mother followed him saying, "O Ibraaheem! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose company we may enjoy, nor is there anything (at all)?" She repeated the question to him many times, but he did not look back at her. Then she asked him, "Has Allah ordered you to do so?" He replied, "Yes."  She said, "Then He will not neglect us", and returned while Ibraaheem    proceeded onwards and on reaching the Thaniayh [a mountain trail] where they could not see him, he faced the House and raised both hands in supplication to Allah, saying: “O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Thy Sacred House in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed them with fruits: so that they may give thanks.” (Ibraaheem: 37).

Haajar went on nursing Ismaa’eel and drinking from the water. When the water in the water-skin had been used up, she became thirsty and her child also became thirsty.  She started looking at him, (Ismaa’eel) tossing in agony; she left him, for she could not endure looking at him, and found that the mountain of As-Safaa was the nearest mountain to her on that land. She climbed up, stood on it and started looking at the valley keenly so that she might see somebody, but she could not see anybody. Then she descended from As-Safaa and when she reached the valley, she tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and trouble, till she crossed the valley.  When she reached Al-Marwah mountain she stood on it and started looking, expecting to see somebody, but she could not see anybody. She repeated that seven times (walking between As-Safaa and Al-Marwah).