About 5000 years ago, in a faraway place called Ur in Iraq, a child was born whose name was Abraham or Ibrahim. He was so gracious, tender-hearted and pure in faith that Almighty Allah gave him wisdom when he was still a child. Almighty Allah was so pleased with him that He made him His best friend.

When Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) grew up, he became a great prophet, and preached the truth and Allah’s message in his country. Later he traveled to Syria, Palestine and Egypt.

When a beautiful son was born to his wife Hajar, he was ordered by Almighty Allah to travel towards Makkah along with his wife and the little child, whose name was Isma`il (Ishmael). They all traveled for a long time till they reached a lonely, barren valley, near two small hills called Safa and Marwa. Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) asked his wife to stay near one of the hills along with little Isma`il, and started to leave. However, his wife protested saying, "Why are you leaving us alone here? Are you leaving us here to die?" But Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, "My Lord has commanded me to do this." Then Hajar, breathing a sigh of relief, said: "If Allah has ordered you to do so, then He will not let us die."

After a while, baby Isma`il began to cry for want of water, but there was not a single drop of water to drink. Hajar ran helplessly from one hill to another, but there was no water, nor any human being to give her water. As the baby was crying desperately with thirst and the mother was running from one mountain to another, Almighty Allah caused a miracle; a spring gushed forth beneath the feet of Isma`il. When Hajar saw this from a distance, she shouted "Zam Zam (stay, stay!)." Hajar came running and gave some fresh spring water to the thirsty child. In this way, his life was saved. This spring later on became famous as Zam zam.

Isma`il and his mother lived in the valley and because of the Zam Zam spring more people gradually came to settle there, slowly building up a small town that was later called Makkah. From time to time Ibrahim would visit Makkah to see his family, especially to see his young Isma`il (peace and blessings be upon him), growing up in the beautiful surroundings of nature—in a lovely valley surrounded by hills, away from the crowded city—away from city people who at that time were mostly idol worshippers.

One night, Ibrahim dreamt that he was sacrificing his son, Isma`il. This was an order from his Lord. His son was still a child, but Ibrahim told him about his dream. Isma`il (peace and blessings be upon him) was a brave boy and he was ready to obey the command of Allah, who had created him. So, without hesitating, he said to his father. (O my father, do what you are commanded; Allah willing, you will find me of the patient ones.) (As-Saffat 37:102)

Ibrahim took his son away to sacrifice him. As he reached a place, which is now known as Mina—a valley near Makkah—Satan appeared and tried to dissuade him. Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) picked up a few small stones and threw them at Satan, and little Isma`il (peace and blessings be upon him) and his mother did likewise.

As Ibrahim took a knife to sacrifice Isma`il, Almighty Allah sent the angel Jibreel with a ram. "Sacrifice this ram. Do not sacrifice Isma`il," said Jibreel to Ibrahim. Allah was so pleased with this act; the readiness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his beloved son, that He commanded the believers to observe this day as `Eid Al-Adha, or the `Eid of the Sacrifice. Every year Muslims sacrifice an animal in remembrance of the great act of Ibrahim .

Isma`il (peace and blessings be upon him) grew up a strong and loving youth. Ibrahim and Isma`il were ordered by Almighty Allah to build the House of God—the Ka`bah in Makkah. They both took stones from the nearby hills and started building the Ka`bah. As they laid the foundation, they prayed, ( Our Lord! accept from us; surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing.) (Al-Baqarah 2:127) They also prayed for a prophet to be born in their family who would teach wisdom to the people and purify their faith. Their prayer was answered many years later, when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was born to their descendants.

Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) was ordered by Almighty Allah to clean the Ka`bah for those who come there to pray, and to call people to Hajj: (And proclaim unto mankind the pilgrimage. They will come unto thee on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every deep ravine.) (Al-Hajj 22:27-28)

In this way, Almighty Allah made it obligatory for every Muslim male and female to perform Hajj once in a lifetime, provided they have their means and health. Since that time, the believers from every part of the world go to perform Hajj to fulfill the command of their Lord and to remember the great act of Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him).