Page 6 - Pakistan Link - July 16, 2021

P6 – PAKISTAN LINK – JULY 16, 2021 OPINION
n By Dr Aslam Abdullah Hajira Is Hajira (Hagar Is Hagar) dominated societies for centuries
CA and had little worth for women.
However, in Hajira, God found the
ajira, the wife of Prophet strength, integrity, and tenacity of
Ibrahim, the mother of Hajira is the only woman in a woman to play that role.

HProphet Ismael and the the history of monotheism The idea was to demolish
matriarch that created an entire who created a monotheistic gender-based discrimination and
civilization, re- the notion that a woman cannot
mains a forgotten civilization and demolished play a significant role in commu-

figure in the an- the false idols of gender nity life. So precious were her ex-
nals of religious discrimination. She periences in the barren land that
history. There is showed that even in God preserved them in the rituals

not much archeo- associated with Hajj. The staying in

logical data avail- loneliness and in the most Mina and spending night in Muz-
able on her life, genealogy, or vulnerable situations, a dalifa, the running between Safa
family. Her description in the woman could protect her and Marwa, that God describes as
Old Testament projects her as divine mountains, drinking water
a villain who could not show honor and dignity and of Zamzam, and making rounds of

gratefulness to her mistress Sar- play a leadership role. She Kaaba and the sacrifice are all as-
ah, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim. demonstrated beyond doubt sociated with her and her son.

The Old Testament gave her the that if she can raise a child Hajira is not an ordinary
status of his concubine. Her son woman in the history of mono-
from Prophet Abraham, Ismail, all by herself, she could theism. Her leadership created
was always jealous of Saras’s son also build a nation and a the corridor of unity in Makkah
Prophet Isaac. civilization. So Hajira is among believers coming from dif-
The Muslim scholarship has ferent parts of the world. God pre-

also not focused on her actual Hajira because God honored served Hajj’s institution to remind
contributions to humanity, espe- her by institutionalizing her people of his oneness and the inte-
cially in building an international leadership in the form of Hajj gration of humanity and teach that
community of monotheists single- women can also be leaders in every
handedly. Although the Qur’an sense of the term.
preserves her sacrifices and role in role models for humanity, did that. a plea to God but a plan given to sources correctly and in a balanced Hajira is the only woman in

the institution of Hajj, our scholar- Why? Hajira, who was the only adult in manner with no misuse. the history of monotheism who

ship, in general, has ignored the es- Let us turn to the prayer that that neighborhood. The plan had The task was to lead those set- created a monotheistic civilization

sence of Hajira’s life and the lesson Prophet Ibrahim made while leav- four objectives: tled near the well of Zamzam water and demolished the false idols of
one should draw from that. ing the young wife and the infant 1. People should establish on the divine path and nurture her gender discrimination. She showed
Hajira was young and had a in the desert of Arabia. “O our a community centered around son for leadership. that even in the loneliness and in
suckling infant. No woman could Sustainer! Behold, I have settled monotheism through praying to God inspired Prophet Ibrahim the most vulnerable situations, a
ever imagine that her husband, some of my offspring in a valley only one God. to leave her in the barren land. She woman could protect her honor

who in his old age miraculously in which there is no arable land, 2. People should always invite proved through her dedication, and dignity and play a leadership

fathered his heir, would leave the close to Thy sanctified Temple, so others to the idea of the oneness of perseverance, struggle, commit- role without compromising them.

wife and child in a barren land that, O our Sustainer, they might the creator and convince them of ment, and faith in God that women She proved that leadership
with few resources to sustain them. devote themselves to prayer: cause its viability and validity. can lead community building. Giv- came from dedication and com-
Regardless of the explanations giv- Thou, therefore, people’s hearts to 3. People should work hard to en the opportunity, she can create a mitment to the right ideas and had

en by others, the act would appear incline towards them and grant create means of sustenance in the whole civilization and community nothing to do with gender divi-
to many as an irresponsible one. them fruitful sustenance, so that barren land. by herself. Prophet Ibrahim was sions. She established the principle
Yet Prophet Ibrahim, known as they might have cause to be grate- 4 People should express their aware that such a leadership role that women are no less than men
the friend of Allah and one of the ful.”- 14:37 The prayer is not just gratitude to God by using his re- cannot be demonstrated in male- HAJIRA, P9

www.PakistanLink.com