The Family of Prophet Ibrahim: How the Struggle of a Family Became the Fifth Pillar of Islam

The first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah are not only days of worship, but they remind us of a family known for endurance and trial, perseverance, and faith. This is the blessed family of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), his wife Hagar, and their son Prophet Isma'il (AS). The millions of Muslims gathering in the city of Mecca during these days, and the fasting of millions more around the world, are not mere acts of worship; they are the remnants of the sweat, tears, isolation in the desert, and the great success of this family that has influenced the destiny of all humanity. Every step taken by that family centuries ago, whether it was the perseverance of a lone mother standing in a desolate place, the obedience and determination of a young son, or the difficult decision of a father who sacrificed his life to fulfill the divine command, has today transformed into solid pillars guiding the unity and worship of the Muslim community.

This article will detail the steps taken by that family, and specifically, how each step became a religious pillar, whether obligatory or recommended, to be observed during these ten days. Additionally, the article includes an academic analysis from the perspective of the philosophy of monotheism, the psychology of perseverance, and social science, referencing the most significant sources written on this topic, such as the philosophical inquiries of Søren Kierkegaard and his book “Fear and Trembling” and the educational writings of Dr. Ali Al-Sallabi, to reveal the essence that the family of Prophet Ibrahim serves as the official school for learning the freedom of the soul and obedience to God.

The Isolation of Hagar

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) brought his wife Hagar and his nursing son Isma'il to the valley of Mecca, which was then a barren place, devoid of water, food, people, and vegetation. Obeying the command of God, he left behind a small container of water and some dates, and then he departed. When Hagar asked: “Did God command you to do this?” He replied “Yes” , she uttered one of the most powerful phrases ever recorded in the history of faith and human perseverance: “Then God will not abandon us!”

In every page of human history that speaks of perseverance and faith, this phrase stands out, especially when read in the context of Hagar's circumstances, as one of the most powerful and profound statements a person can make. It was a significant blow to despair, and a call that emerged from the depths of a heart that fully believed in the power that governs the universe. The words that came from the lips of mother Hagar, standing in the middle of the desert, were not just expressions of maternal anxiety, but they were the foundation of the birth of the city of Mecca and the beginning of Arab society.

As Dr. Ali Al-Sallabi analyzed in his book on the history and stories of the prophets “Faslu al-Khidhaab fii Siiyyati wa Qisasi al-Anbiyaa” (Page 214) , mother Hagar did not fall into despair and panic when left in the vast desert of Mecca, because she had a purpose greater than life itself, which was her connection to the God who created her and the desert. Once she was certain that this journey was a divine command and not a personal decision, she demonstrated one of the highest levels of understanding and counsel, which protected her mind from the environmental hardships and the desert from leading to a psychological state. Al-Sallabi clarified that Hagar's faith was what changed the destiny of the city, making her a living example showing that when a person connects to the solid principles of monotheism, they can overcome human weakness, and the harsh circumstances surrounding them can be transformed into the foundation of a great civilization, as the history of the people of Mecca and Arab society reshaped the principle of perseverance of Hagar.

This religious perspective and the perseverance of Hagar are fully supported by modern psychology, particularly the well-known theory of “Logotherapy,” which is a therapy based on the search for meaning in life. This theory was founded by the Austrian doctor and philosopher Dr. Viktor Frankl, who wrote in his book “Man’s Search for Meaning” (Page 104) . Frankl defined that when a human being has solid principles, a distant goal, and a higher meaning for living, they can easily adapt to the most difficult and dire situations in life, transforming suffering and pain into motivation and opportunities. Therefore, mother Hagar truly embodied this psychological perspective; instead of despairing, she transformed her state of isolation into activity and effort, demonstrating that those who have principles greater than themselves are the ones who can...