Ismaeel (pbut) were in Mecca, and actually built the Ka'bah. But what had brought them here?

Had they come knowing what they must do? Why did they choose that place rather than any other?

From AI-Mizan, an explanation of the Qur'an, we learn from Imam Ja'afar-as-Sadiq (as) the answers.

At an earlier time, before the birth of Ismaeel, Ibraheem had left the lands of Chaldea, Babylon, and Assyria, accompanied by Sarah, his wife, and Hajer her maid. had been persecuted there for preaching the Unity of Allah (s.w.t). They settled in Syria, and as it seemed that Sarah could not have children, she suggested that take Hajer as his second wife. This he did, and prayed earnestly that he would have a righteous son. Allah (s.w.t) heard his prayer, and Hajer gave birth to a son whom they called Ismaeel (from the Arabic 'to hear').

However, Sarah became jealous and was always complaining to Ibraheem (pbuh) about Hajer, so much so that found himself pouring out his sorrow to Allah (s.w.t), and the following revelation came to him:

The likeness of a woman is similar to a curved rib: if you leave it as it is you may benefit from it, but if you try to make it straight you will break it.

Then Allah (s.w.t) commanded Ibraheem (pbuh) to take Hajer and Ismaeel away from Syria. asked where they should go, and the reply came: 'To My Holy Place and Sanctuary, the part of earth I created first - to Mecca.'

Then Allah (s.w.t) sent Jibreel to Ibraheem with 'al-Buraq' (the same animal which later took Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) on the night visit to Jerusalem), and Jibreel told Ibraheem to mount with Hajer and their baby Ismaeel.

Jibreel and al-Buraq flew steadily, and whenever Ibraheem saw beneath them date-palms and vegetation, he would say: 'O Jibreel! How about here? This seems a good place.' But each time Jibreel would reply: 'No, no, not here. Further, further!' So it continued, till they reached a particularly desolate area. Here, Jibreel led al-Buraq downwards into the barren valley of Mecca. When they reached the site of the Holy House, Jibreel told the passengers to get down. But Ibraheem (pbuh) had made a promise to Sarah that he would not dismount until he returned

Next Page