settlement.

In Arabic, biˈr means well, and sabaꜤ means the number seven. Now, why is this place called Biˈr SabaꜤ? There are various narrations explaining this. One of them pertains to the time when Allah’s Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was cast into a roaring fire, which became a garden of flowers for him.

After this, he left where he lived in Babel, passed by Egypt, and came to what is now call Biˈr SabaꜤ. At that time, Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was young. Here, Allah Almighty granted him vast wealth and a host of livestock. The people of Biˈr SabaꜤ referred to him as Shaykh al-Ṣāliḥ; the righteous elder.

Sadly, the people of Biˈr SabaꜤ began to disrespect him and said he should leave. Taking his belongings, wealth, and livestock with him, Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم left and took up stay in Hebron (modern day al-Khalil).

If Allah’s Prophets عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام are shown disrespect, they can pardon this of their own personal accord, if they wish. Yet, Allah Almighty will certainly still punish those who were insolent, as the people of Biˈr SabaꜤ learnt. 

After Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم left, the people of Biˈr SabaꜤ took their sheep to the wells, only to find they had run dry. Not even a drop of water remained. Panicked by this, they quickly realised it was due to their impudence towards Shaykh al-Ṣāliḥ, i.e., Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم. They rushed to him, asked to be pardoned for their lack of respect, and pleaded with him to return to Biˈr SabaꜤ.

Prophet Ibrāhīm declared, “I shall not return, but you may take seven of my goats and stand each of them beside a different well. Water will then emerge.”

Taking these blessed goats back with them, they stood one goat by each