She then resigned herself to Allah’s decree, eating from the few dates and drinking from the water-skin until both were finished. Thirst overcame her, and her son grew still more parched, writhing in agony. Hoping to spot someone who might help, she set out and climbed the nearest rise, al-Safa, scanned the horizon and saw no one. She then descended, crossed to al-Marwah, ascended it, looked out, and again found no one.

Distressed and desperate, she began shuttling back and forth in that place, imploring Allah on her own behalf and on behalf of her child. As she walked she kept turning toward him, fearful that a wild beast might reach him. Whenever she entered the valley floor she would run, then, on reaching the other side, she would climb so that her son never left her sight.

Relief comes with affliction, and after hardship comes ease. When she had completed seven circuits she heard the sound of an angel. He struck the ground at the spot where Zamzam now lies, and water gushed forth. The mother of Ishmael was overjoyed: she drank from it, nursed her son, and thanked Allah for this tremendous blessing. She heaped earth around the spring so that the water would not spread. The Prophet ﷺ said, “May Allah have mercy on the mother of Ishmael. Had she left the water of Zamzam—meaning, had she not enclosed it—it would have become a flowing stream.” (1)

A tribe of the Arabs known as Jurhum then chanced upon her, settled beside her, and the favour was perfected. Ishmael grew into a fine young man; the tribe admired his character, his lofty resolve and his overall excellence, and when he reached maturity he married a woman from among them.

During that period his mother—may Allah be pleased with her—passed away. Abraham later arrived while Ishmael was out hunting. Entering the house, he asked Ishmael’s wife about her husband and about their living conditions, and she told him that her husband had—