What Was Sarah's Story?

Sometimes I wonder if people told Sarah, wife of Abraham, that she needed to hurry up and have children.

Did her heart ache when people shared old wives’ tales on how to help her have kids and she had already tried them all? Did they tell her to eat certain foods? To be a more “appropriate” weight?

Did the people who knew her start to whisper behind her back or did they sympathize with her anguish?

We know of the elation that Prophet Abraham (AS) and Sarah felt when she was given the news that she would eventually one day have children. Allah Most High said in Surah Hud within the Holy Quran, “And certainly did Our messengers come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf. But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them apprehension. They said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Lot."

“And his wife was standing by, so she laughed, then We gave her good news of the birth of Isaac, and, after him, Jacob.” (Surah Hud 11:71)

But before this beautiful news was given to her, what was her lamentation like? How many times did Prophet Abraham hold Sarah when she cried from not having children? Was it painful for her to visit her friends who had newborns?

How many herbs and tonics did she drink in hopes of creating a new life? Were these herbs actually good for her or were some toxic? Did she get sick from trying?

I wish I knew more of the details from her life as I seek true acceptance of Allah’s decree. Often I find that people are quick to say things like “Don’t lose hope!”, “Pray more about it!”, and lastly, “I know a story of a woman who had a miracle baby so you could too!”

Honestly, these things aren’t terrible to hear - people are trying to be encouraging and these are genuinely reassuring for me sometimes. But I don’t think people necessarily realize that I also want to be okay with never having children. Some of us end up like Sarah, wife of Ibrahim, and mother to Prophets like Isaac and Ishmael. Other women end up like Sayyidna Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who never had children. All of these women are blessed women, masha’Allah.

I want to be 100% okay with every potential outcome because I really do believe in my heart that every outcome is due to Allah’s plan for me. His plan will always be the best, so my resolve and trust must be firm.

Khair, insha’Allah!