Was Sayyidah Hajira the wife of Sayyidna Ibrahim Alaihis salaam?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

From books of History we come to know that Sayyidna Ibrahim Alaihis salaam had two wives. His first wife was Saaidah Sarah and his second wife was Saaidah Haajira.

Imam Bukhari Rahmatullahi Alaihi has mentioned a hadeeth narrated By Sayyidna Abu Hurrairah Radiyallahu Anhu.

“Ibrahim did not lie except three lies. Two of these were for the sake of Allah-his saying “surely i am sick” and his saying “nay he has done it – this, the big one of them” (see surah Anbiyaa 21:63). Then, one day he and Sarah came to the territory of a tyrant. The tyrant was told that a man has come and he has a beautiful woman with him. So he sent for Ibrahim and asked him, “Who is she? He replied, my sister”. Then he returned to Sarah and said, “O Sarah there is no one on the face of the earth who is a believer except me and you. This man asked me and I said you are my sister so do not contradict me.” The tyrant then called her and when she went there he tried to hold her with his hand but his hand got stiff. He pleaded with her that she pray to Allah that his hand becomes normal. In return he promised to not harm her. So Sarah prayed for him. His Hand had recovered. The tyrant again tried to hold her. His became as before or more severe. Again he said to her, I pray to Allah for me and I will not harm you” she prayed and he got well. He summoned his guards and said, have not brought to me a Human being but a devil”. Then he gave her a maid servant Haajira. She returned and found Ibrahim praying. He gestured with his hand as to what happened. She said, “Allah has foiled the evil designs of the Infidel and he gave me Haajirah for service. Abu Hurrairah Radiyallahu Anhu then said, “And that is your mother oh Banu Maa-as-samaa (Arabs) (Sahih Bukhari 3358)

Sayyidina Ibrahim Alaihis Salaam married Saaidah Haajira with the consent of his first wife. When Sarah and Ibrahim Alaihis salaam had spent twenty years in the land of Bayt ul Maqdis, Sarah sighed to Ibrahim Alaihis salaam that Allah had not given her a child and she presented Haajira alaihas salaam to him, perhaps he might get a child with her. In deed she became pregnant” (Ibn Kathir’s Story Of the Prophets p.102)

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Molana Ishaaq Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah