Ibrahim (AS) was an ardent man. To conceal his wife, Sara, from the sight of others during the journey, he put her in a trunk, closed the lid, and loaded it onto a camel. When they reached a land which was under the reign of an Arab king, the king’s agents stopped them at the border to search their belongings in order to evaluate the appropriate taxes. They searched all his belongings. When they got to that trunk, they asked Ibrahim to open it.
Ibrahim (AS) said, “Suppose that this trunk is filled with gold and silver; lake whatever tax you want, but do not open the lid.”
The chief agent didn’t accept; Ibrahim (AS) was obliged to open the trunk. When the chief beheld Sara’s astonishing beauty, he said, “I will not permit you to leave here until I inform the king of your story and of this woman.” He then sent someone to inform the king.
The king summoned them. When they came into his presence and the king beheld Sara, he involuntarily stretched his hand toward her to take hold of her arm. Ibrahim (AS) became very upset; he turned his face away and said, “O my Lord, keep the hand of this stranger away from my wife.” The king’s hand withered up. The king said, “Did your God wither up my hand?”
Ibrahim (AS) answered, “Yes, my Lord is strict and hates forbidden acts.” The king said, “Ask your God to heal my hand and I won’t bother your wife anymore.” Ibrahim (AS) prayed and his hand was healed.
The oppressive king again looked at Sara and stretched his hand toward her. Again, his hand withered up. Once again, he sought help from Ibrahim (AS). Ibrahim said, “I will pray on the condition that you do not aggress anymore.” The king agreed not to disturb them anymore; so, Ibrahim (AS) prayed, “O my Lord, heal his hand if he is telling the truth.” The king’s hand was healed. A fear of Ibrahim (AS) entered the king’s heart. He honoured Ibrahim and to Sara, he gave a maidservant by the name of Hajar. He told them, “Go anywhere that you want now.” 1
- Stories of the Prophets, Rafed Network for Cultural Development[↩]
