Hajj Inspired Art Pt2: She Ran!

text painting with white circular text in foreground and black linear text in background

We Run because Hajjar Ran.

Even though you and I are not physically on hajj right now, we can still connect to the spirit of the the hajj. Indeed, the hajj is both a physical and a spiritual experience.  My Tawaf/ Sa’y series is inspired by the pilgrimage footsteps of exemplars – Malcolm X, Ali Shariati, and of course Hajjar – the Black woman who’s courageous determination lead to the opening of the Zam Zam well which has quenched the thirst of millions of pilgrims for thousands of years. Every hajji runs between the mountains of Safa and Marwa because Hajjar ran!

Hajjar’s search in the barren dessert

When Hajjar was exiled to the barren desert of Arabia with her baby – there was no food or drink in sight. Still, Hajjar knew that because Allah had placed her there, her sustenance must also be there – seen or unseen.  Hajjar was on a search. She ran between the mountains of Safa and Marwa to find it. 

text painting with white circular text in foreground and black linear text in background
Nsenga Knight 2015, Tawaf/ Sa’y: Butterfly and Eagle, 22.5 x 22.5 inches, Oil Stick and Gesso on Vegetable Parchment Paper (available to purchase as Limited Edition Print)

My Tawaf/ Sa’y painting series seeks to reminds us about the true meaning of trust

My Tawaf/ Sa’y series seeks to remind you that trusting in Allah while experiencing great tribulations like our mother Hajjar did, brings forth a Zam Zam well – sustenance that has given nourishment to entire civilizations for thousands of years. Like Hajjar, though it doesn’t always seek apparent – Allah never forsakes any of us and He is always taking care of you. 

May we each find our own Zam Zam. Purchase Limited Edition prints from the Tawaf Sa’y series here

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