Prophet Ibrahim: Migration and Resettlement

My Khutbah at MT-Dundas

Prophet Ibrahim was an "Ummah" (Nation) unto himself because he embodied all of the qualities of a nation that aligns with a godly vision: contentment with God's decree; upright in righteousness, sincere in worship of One Creator; grateful for God's bounties and guided to the straight path. He was shaped by an unshakeable faith, strengthened by a keen sense of observation and critical thinking.

One of the hallmarks of this "Friend of God" is his constant turning to God in supplication, many of which are beautifully recorded in the Qur'an. Among them is the supplication he made when, after a long and arduous journey across the desert, he left his infant son and wife Hajar in an uncultivated land (Becca, Mecca), with no vegetation and no one in sight. It was an incredible challenge for him, and for her. When he turned to leave, she naturally inquired whether he would leave them there alone. He did not answer. She persisted in her questioning, and when he did not answer again she asked if this was a command from God. He nodded in the affirmative, upon which she said that if it was God's command, He will take care of them.

Such was the faith of the mother of a nation whose roots were planted in this incredible moment of trust in God. Prophet Ibrahim, filled with emotion then turned himself to his Lord who had never abandoned him and, raising his hands to the heavens, he entreated God: "Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley, near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish the prayer. So make the hearts of people incline towards them, and provide for them from the fruits that may thank You." (Chapter 14:37)

The prayer is not only remarkable in its sincerity and forthrightness, but also in framing for later generations a mindset that would guide entire communities towards a culture of hospitality and embracing of others.

The migration and resettlement of Hajar and Ismaeel, and the above prayer of Ibrahim give us cause to reflect on the challenges of being uprooted from a place called home and to be taken to an unfamiliar place, with no friends nor support structure.

The incredible mass movements of people across the world today, uprooted by violence, wars or persecution – from Syria, Burma, Yemen, Palestine and elsewhere reminds us of the challenge that Hajar faced – no food, water, vegetation and no one in sight; with an infant son who depends on her for survival.

In our countries, we have embraced refugees who have come from these places; we have also forgotten their plight and their struggle for survival. In a short documentary aired by CBC Television entitled "Sedra" the female teenager named Sedra has to fight for survival even as she lives in an affluent Canadian society – her father is elderly and ill, her mother suffers from dementia and all of her siblings have been displaced by war.

Ibrahim's supplication for God to "incline the hearts of men toward them" is crucial. We live at a time when there is much misunderstanding and mistrust of the 'Other", especially by those who are afraid that their culture, values and societal benefits may be negatively impacted by the arrival of the refugee. The rise of the far-right to address this perceived threat is concerning; Abraham's prayer is a spiritual strategy that cannot be ignored, but must also be followed by concrete action to build awareness through conversation, education and cultural interaction.

Hajar's proactive efforts to find help after Ibrahim leaves is an act of courage and determination that is enshrined in one of the main rituals of the Hajj – the Sa'ee – walking/partly running between the hills of Safa and Marwa. This act of determination and resilience was rewarded with the gushing of water from beneath the infant's feet: water in a desert that attracted and inclined people to settle and make the valley their home, and eventually a Mecca for the world.

Prophet Ibrahim was a Friend of God; his life, his family's loyalty to God and his willingness to surrender to God became the basis of one of the most remarkable events in human history – the annual Hajj – a microcosm of life itself with its themes of departure, struggle, arrival and return.

This is why Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was keen on transforming the pagan innovations back to the purity of Ibrahim, and to restore the House of God (the Ka'bah) to its place of dignity, free from false deities. May God enable us to undertake this pilgrimage in honor of the legacy of these great prophets and make it a source of deep reflection on the lessons of life.