The Sacrifice of Being Left Alone The Legacy of Hajar in the Days of Dhul Hijjah There is a type of loneliness only a woman understands. The loneliness of carrying everyone while quietly falling apart yourself. The loneliness of being strong because you have no other choice. The loneliness of smiling for your children while your heart is heavy. The loneliness of lying awake at night worrying about bills, sickness, marriage, children, or the future. And perhaps this is why the story of Haajar عليها السلام touches women so deeply. Imagine her. A mother. In the middle of a desert. No people. No home. No water. No security. Only a baby in her arms and Allah above her. When Ibrahim walked away after leaving her in the barren valley of Makkah, she asked him: “Did Allah command you to do this?” And when he replied yes, her response carried a level of tawakkul many of us are still trying to reach: “Then Allah will not abandon us.” SubhanAllah. Not: “How will I survive?” Not: “Why m...