Hagar’s prophecy and the Islamic Hajj

Some believe that the prophecy in the Torah (Genesis 21 verse 18) was fulfilled when Allah established Hajj as an Islamic rite. Pilgrims perform Sa’i in memory of Hagar, who searched for water for her infant son, Ishmael, in the desert, and Allah provided them with the well of Zamzam. Sa’i, which involves walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa in Mecca, is one of the essential rituals of Hajj and Umrah. How is this argument articulated?

There is a belief among some Muslims that the prophecy mentioned in Genesis 21 verse 18 was fulfilled through the establishment of Hajj in Islam. This verse of the Torah prophesies that God will make a great nation from the descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. The argument connecting the Islamic narrative with the story in the Torah can be articulated through a few key points:

1. Biblical Story of Hagar and Ishmael: In the Torah, the story of Hagar and her son Ishmael, who were cast into the desert, is recounted. In Genesis 21:18, God tells Hagar, "Lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation." This is often interpreted as a divine promise of Ishmael's survival and future significance.

2. Islamic Narrative and the Ritual of Sa’i: In Islamic tradition, Hagar's desperate search for water in the desert for her infant son Ishmael is commemorated through the ritual of Sa’i, which is performed during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Pilgrims walk back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa in Mecca, reenacting Hagar's search.

3. The Well of Zamzam: Allah's provision of the Zamzam well for Hagar and Ishmael, as per Islamic tradition, is seen as a miraculous fulfillment of the divine promise. The well is a key element in the story and is considered a symbol of God's mercy and sustenance.

4. Link to the Prophecy: The argument connects the establishment of Hajj, including the ritual of Sa’i, to the fulfillment of the prophecy in Genesis. It's posited that Allah's establishment of these rituals and the continued commemoration by millions of Muslims is a fulfillment of the promise made to Hagar regarding Ishmael.

5. Symbolism and Continuity: The ritual of Sa’i and the story of Zamzam are seen as not just historical events but also symbolic of God's continuous guidance and sustenance. This symbolism is linked back to the Biblical prophecy, suggesting a continuity and fulfillment of divine promise across these Abrahamic faiths.

This argument is that the connection between this Islamic rite and the prophecy in the Torah (Genesis 21 verse 18) is seen by some as a fulfillment of the promise made to Hagar in the Torah, where it is stated that God will make a great nation of Ishmael.

In Islamic belief, this promise is fulfilled through the lineage of Ishmael and the establishment of Hajj as a central pillar of Islam. Therefore, the act of Sa'i is not only a way for pilgrims to remember and honor Hagar's struggle but also to symbolize the fulfillment of the prophecy through the establishment of Hajj as an Islamic rite.

What is Hajj?

Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims, located in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the five basic acts of worship that are considered the foundation of a Muslim's faith and practice. The Hajj pilgrimage is mandatory for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey at least once in their lifetime.

Hajj takes place during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, specifically between the 8th and the 12th days. During the pilgrimage, Muslims perform a series of rituals that include:

1. Ihram: Donning a special white garment that symbolizes purity and equality before God.

2. Tawaf: Circumambulating the Kaaba, the cube-shaped building at the center of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, seven times in a counterclockwise direction.

3. Sa'i: Walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, just as Hagar did in search of water for her infant son Ishmael.

4. Standing at Arafat: Spending the afternoon at the plain of Arafat, praying and reflecting. This is considered the climax of the Hajj.

5. Muzdalifah: Collecting pebbles at Muzdalifah to be used in the ritual of the stoning of the devil.

6. Ramy al-Jamarat: Throwing the collected pebbles at three pillars in Mina, symbolizing the rejection of evil.

7. Sacrifice: Performing the sacrifice of an animal (usually a sheep, goat, or cow), commemorating the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God.

8. Tawaf al-Ifadah: Another circumambulation of the Kaaba, which signifies the completion of Hajj.

9. Shaving/Cutting Hair: Men typically shave their heads or cut a portion of their hair, and women cut a small portion of their hair, symbolizing a new beginning.

These rituals are deeply symbolic and are meant to demonstrate the unity of the Muslim Ummah (community) and their submission to Allah.

Examine “Baca” in Psalm 84, verse 6, and “Bakkah” of Surah 3, verse 96, from the Quran. How do they correlate?

An excerpt from Holman Concise Bible Dictionary about Baca in Psalm 84, verse 6:
Baca
(Balsam tree or weeping)
Valley in Psalm 84, verse 6, which reflects a poetic play on words describing a person forced to go through a time of weeping who found that God turned tears into a well, providing water.

Baca, mentioned in Psalm 84, verse 6, is believed to be Mecca, which Surah 3, verse 96 of the Quran refers to as Bakkah. It was Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, who was forced to experience a period of weeping, who discovered that God had turned tears into a miraculous well of Zamzam. What is the articulation of this argument?

The argument you've presented draws a connection between two distinct religious texts, the Bible and the Quran, by referencing similar concepts found within both. The statement juxtaposes the poetic description from Psalm 84, verse 6, in the Bible, which mentions the Valley of Baca (often interpreted as a place of weeping or sorrow), with a narrative from the Quran.

According to Surah 3, verse 96, the Quran mentions a place called Bakkah, identified by many scholars and tradition as Mecca, a city of paramount importance in Islam.

The biblical excerpt describes a metaphorical transformation where a time of weeping is turned into a source of sustenance and blessing, symbolized by tears turning into a well. This metaphor captures the idea of divine intervention and support during times of distress, providing not just relief but also nourishment and strength from the adversity faced.

The Quranic reference complements this biblical narrative by recounting the story of Hagar and Ishmael, where Hagar's desperate search for water in the desert for her infant son Ishmael is rewarded by the miraculous appearance of the Zamzam well. This story is deeply embedded in Islamic tradition and highlights themes of faith, divine provision, and the transformation of despair into hope.

By articulating this argument, the connection being made is that both biblical and Quranic texts, while from different religious traditions, reflect a similar theological theme: the belief in a benevolent deity who transforms moments of deep personal despair into opportunities for divine blessing and providence.

The comparison suggests a shared motif of spiritual testing and divine intervention, where the act of enduring hardship with faith can lead to miraculous outcomes, symbolized through the provision of water in both narratives. This water, whether from the well mentioned in Psalm 84, verse 6, or the Zamzam well in Islamic tradition, stands as a powerful symbol of life, sustenance, and the transformative power of faith.