Islamic view of Hagar

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According to the Midrash (Gen. R. xlv.), Hagar was the daughter of Pharaoh, who presented her to Abraham. The same story is told in Mohammedan tradition. When she bore Ishmael, from whose countenance the light of Mohammed shone forth, Sarah demanded her expulsion. Abraham desired to spare her, but Sarah swore to bathe her hands in her rival's blood. Abraham thereupon pierced Hagar's car and caused the blood to run over Sarah's hand, that her vow might be fulfilled without sacrificing Hagar's life. When Isaac was born Sarah's jealousy awoke afresh, and she insisted that Hagar should go. Conducted by the archangel Gabriel, Abraham took Hagar and Ishmael into the Arabian desert, and left them at the place where the Kaaba of Mecca was built later on. As soon as Hagar's scant provisions were exhausted she sought water, running and praying, between the hills Safa and Marwah. This she repeated seven times. At last the archangel Gabriel reappeared, and, stamping his foot on the ground, brought forth a spring. This is the holy fountain of Zamzam, near the Kaaba. In commemoration of Hagar's example, running seven times between the two hills mentioned above has been made an important ceremony in the pilgrimage to Mecca. As the spring provided Hagar and Ishmael with water, they remained there, and Abraham visited them every month. When Ishmael was thirteen years old Abraham was told in a dream to sacrifice him. Satan, however, appeared to Hagar and asked her: "Dost thou know whither Abraham went with thy son?" "Yes," she replied; "he went into the forest to cut wood." "No," said Satan; "he went to slaughter thy son." "How can that be," asked Hagar, "since he loves him as much as I do?" "He believes," Satan answered, "that God has commanded him to do so." "If this be so," said Hagar, "let him do the will of God."

This article incorporates text from the 1901–1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, a publication now in the public domain.