The Call of the Quran
1. Divine Planning
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any resources to sustain life. Settling his wife and
child in such adverse circumstances appeared to
invite their death. But the plan of giving birth to a
generation detached from the polytheistic traditions
could be carried out only at a place devoid of
sustenance, because only then would it be devoid of
human population. Abraham’s dream ostensibly
entailed the economic and social sacrifice of his
children, but it was actually a way of realizing the
divine plan to prepare the desired generation.
Since this plan had to materialize under the veil of
cause and effect it was constantly being watched.
Abraham himself stayed in Palestine, but would
keep going at intervals to Makkah for the purpose
of supervision.
Initially, Hajira and Ishmael were the only
inhabitants in the valley. Later, with the appearance
of Zamzam, some gypsies belonging to the Jurhum
tribe settled there. When Ishmael grew up, he
married a girl of that tribe. According to traditions,
once when Abraham went to Makkah from
Palestine, Ishmael was not at home. Abraham
enquired of his wife how everything was going on.
