Hagar in Islam: Her Role, Significance, and Legacy

Hagar in Islam | Her name is Hagar.

Most Muslims hear it during Hajj. Some know the story. Few pause to really think about it.

Hajar wasn’t a prophet. She didn’t lead an army. She wasn’t a queen. But her decisions shaped history—and continue to shape one of the central rituals of Islam.

At Ijaazah Academy, we believe in teaching stories that matter. Hajar’s story is one of them. It’s not just history. It’s a reminder of faith, strength, and trust in Allah.

Here’s what every Muslim should know.

Who Was Hajar? | Hagar in Islam

Hajar was the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and the mother of Prophet Ismail.

She wasn’t from the same place or people as Ibrahim. Most sources say she was Egyptian. When Allah commanded Ibrahim to leave her and their infant son in the desert valley of Makkah, she didn’t resist. She asked only one question:

“Did Allah command you to do this?”

When he said yes, she replied: “Then He will not let us be lost.”

That moment wasn’t dramatic. It was quiet. But it changed everything.

Her Struggle in the Valley of Makkah

There was no water. No people. No shade.

Hajar stood between two hills—Safa and Marwah—running back and forth, looking for help, looking for water, looking for anything. Seven times she went. Back and forth. Alone with her baby.

She didn’t break down. She didn’t give up. She moved.

This is the moment that Muslims imitate every year during Hajj and Umrah.

The Sa’i—walking between Safa and Marwah—is not random. It’s not symbolic. It’s real. We walk because she walked. Because her story matters.

Zamzam: A Gift for Her Patience

When she returned to her child, she saw water bursting from the ground under his feet.

That spring is still flowing today.

Zamzam wasn’t just water. It was an answer. A sign that her effort was seen. That her trust in Allah was never ignored.

Today, millions drink from Zamzam. Every drop carries part of her story.

Hajar’s Role in Islamic History

Think about this: Allah could have made water appear without her running. But He made her take action.

Hajar showed us that:

• Tawakkul (trust in Allah) doesn’t mean doing nothing.
• Patience doesn’t mean waiting passively.
• Courage sometimes looks like a mother alone with her baby, trying to survive.

She wasn’t famous in her time. She wasn’t looking for recognition. But her sincerity made her unforgettable.

A Lesson for Us and Our Children

This is why we teach stories like Hajar’s at Ijaazah Academy. Children need to hear more than commands and rules. They need to know people who lived Islam with heart.

When a young girl hears about Hajar, she sees that bravery can come in small steps. When a boy hears her story, he learns to respect the role of women in Islam—not through slogans, but through real examples.

Hajar is a model of:

• Quiet strength
• Unshaken faith
• Consistent effort

And these are the values we aim to pass on in every Quran or Islamic Studies class.

Her Legacy Lives On

Hajar’s footsteps are part of Islamic worship. Her name is remembered around the world. Her choices gave rise to the city of Makkah, the Kaaba, and the final prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him).

But she never saw the outcome of her struggle.

That’s a powerful reminder.

We may not always see how our actions affect the future. But Allah sees. He remembers. And He rewards.

Final Thoughts

Hajar didn’t ask to be a symbol. She just obeyed. She moved when she had to. She waited when she needed to. She believed when everything around her said not to.

That’s why her story matters.

And that’s why we share it—with every student, every parent, and every family who wants to raise children who understand the true meaning of faith.

Learn the Stories That Matter
Join Ijaazah Academy to explore the lives of key figures in Islam through live, guided classes.
Start a class today at Ijaazah.com – and bring the lessons of Hajar to life in your home.