InsyaAllah, let's first of all look into the story of the Siti Hajar and Nabi Ismail a.s. :)
It all began when Nabi Ibrahim a.s, sent his wife, Siti Hajar and his son, Nabi Ismail a.s, who at that time was still a child, from As-Sham (the Levant) to a barren desert (somewhere in the modern-day Saudi Arabia) as instructed to him by Allah Ta'ala. Long story short, Siti Hajar then ran 7 times between the mounts Safa and Marwa in order to feed her little child who was crying for food. MashaAllah, the patience and perseverance of Siti Hajar is something women in the modern world should be seeking for! Then, when she was about to be disappointed, the well of Zam-Zam appeared before her. (Imagine how happy she must felt? :') Alhamdulillah!) In some narrations, it was said that Angel Jibreel a.s. came and struck the tip of his wing onto the ground where the zam-zam water gushed out. However in some other narrations, it was said that the foot of Nabi Ismail a.s. as it hit the ground, brought out the water of zam-zam.Wallahu 'alam, Allah knows best. :)
Not so far away from the place where Siti Hajar and his son Ismail a.s. found the zam-zam water was a group of people from the Jurhum tribe. These people, who were also in the middle of the desert, probably in search for a new area to settle down (Allahu'alam, Allah knows best), were without a doubt thinking of beating the searing heat of the desert. Therefore, we have to be grateful for what we have here in Malaysia where it's hot but humid, where water is Alhamdulillah, abundant! Never take small things for granted.
So, the Jurhums were walking when they spotted a group of birds heading towards a direction. They figured that the birds were heading towards the carcass of an animal, which the Jurhums could probably use for food, or water, although in their minds water is very unlikely. However, once they ventured into the direction of the birds, they found Siti Hajar and her son, Ismail a.s. beside a water well! Imagine how the Jurhums must have felt. It is most certainly a miracle to see fresh water in the middle of the desert! All praises be to Allah who is Most Capable of Everything.
The Jurhums then already knew, wherever there is water, life is possible. Seeing the opportunity, one of the Jurhums came forth and asked Siti Hajar whether or not can they settle down in the area. Siti Hajar could easily have said yes but she was no ordinary woman. She was a smart woman. She told the Jurhums, "Fine. You can settle down in this very area. But as I was here first, as I found the well first, my progeny and I will be in control of the well." Now, why was this considered as a smart move? It is because, the control of the Zam-Zam well by Siti Hajar, her son and the rest of their progeny will ensure their control over the community's water and therefore will gain them respect from those around them (their status are elevated, people looked up to them). We must understand that to the Arabs, authority and respect elevates one's status in the eyes if the society they are living in.
Once they established the community, Makkah was born. Nabi Ismail a.s. went on to learn Arabic from the Jurhums and from that moment, people lived happily under the control of Nabi Ismail a.s. He (Nabi Ismail a.s.) then married one of the Jurhums and his progeny was continued there in Makkah ever since.
-End of part 1-
key words:
- Well of Zam-Zam = The well which Muslims from all over the world drink water from during the Hajj season. Through scientific research by some of the leading scientists of the world shows that Zam-Zam water is the best form of water that exists on the face of the Earth.
- The Jurhum Tribe = They are the original Arab settlers of Makkah. They came from Yaman.
