Some time after Ishmael had married, Abraham came to look in on what he had left behind. Not finding Ishmael, he asked Ishmael’s wife about him. She said, “He has gone out to seek provision for us”—in another version, “He has gone hunting for us.” He then asked her about their living conditions and circumstances. She replied, “We are miserable; we are in hardship and distress,” and she poured out her complaints to him. Abraham said, “When your husband returns, convey my greeting to him and tell him to change the threshold of his door.”

When Ishmael returned, he sensed that something had happened and asked, “Did anyone visit you?” She answered, “Yes, an older man of such-and-such appearance came. He asked about you and I informed him. He then inquired about our life, and I told him we were in hardship and difficulty.” He asked, “Did he leave you with any instruction?” She said, “Yes. He told me to convey his greeting of peace to you and to say: ‘Change the threshold of your door.’” Ishmael said, “That was my father, and he has commanded me to part from you. Return to your family.” He therefore divorced her and married another woman from among them.

Abraham stayed away for as long as Allah willed, then came again but did not find Ishmael. He entered upon Ishmael’s (new) wife and asked about him. She said, “He has gone out to seek provision for us.” Abraham asked, “How are you all?” and questioned her about their mode of living. She said, “We are well and in plenty,” and she praised Allah. He asked, “What is your food?” She replied, “Meat.” He asked, “And what is your drink?” She replied, “Water.” Abraham prayed, “O Allah, bless them in meat and water.”

The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—commented: “At that time they had no grain; had they possessed it, Abraham would also have asked blessing for it. Thus, anyone outside Mecca who attempts to subsist on meat and water alone will find that they do not suffice him.”

In another narration: Abraham came and said, “Where is Ishmael?” His wife answered, “He has gone hunting.” She then said, “Will you not come in and have something to eat and drink?” He asked, “What is your food and what is your drink?” She replied, “Our food is meat and our drink is water.” He prayed, “O Allah, bless them in their food and their drink.” Abū al-Qāsim—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Such is the blessing of Abraham’s supplication.”