“Where is your husband,” Ibrahim asked her.

One day Ibrahim desired to see Isma‘il and mounted a horse to head for Makkah. Sarah come to know and she extracted an oath that he would not alight from it until he came back to her. When he reached Makkah, Hajar had already departed for her heavenly abode. “Where is your husband?” Ibrahim asked the wife of his son. “He has gone hunting,” she replied. Ibrahim then asked her of their well-being. She said they were in extreme difficulties and life was a burden, but did not invite him to alight. Ibrahim said, “When your husband returns, tell him an elderly person had come and advised that he change his threshold.” When Isma‘il returned he sensed the fragrance of his respected father. “Did anyone come to you?” he asked Samma. “Yes,” she replied, “An old man came and said you must change your threshold stone.” On hearing this, Isma‘il divorced Samma. Once again Ibrahim yearned to see Isma‘il and again Sarah laid the same condition, that he will not alight from his mount until he returns to her. Ibrahim reached Makkah, but Isma‘il was not at home. Isma‘il had married another woman. “Where is your husband,” Ibrahim asked her. “May Allah shower you with His Mercy, my husband is gone for hunting.” She replied politely. When Ibrahim asked her of their well-being, she replied that they were quite happy. Also when he asked her how she was, she replied, “Allah’s Mercy and blessings are upon us. Please step down from your mount, may Allah bless you. And rest awhile until Isma‘il returns.” Ibrahim declined the invitation, hence she requested him to bring forward his head so that she can wash it clean of the dust. Saying this she brought some water and a stone. Ibrahim rested one foot on the stone keeping the other in the stirrup allowed her to wash one side of the head. Then rested his other foot on the stone and had the other side washed. Ibrahim blessed her and said, “When your husband returns, tell him an elderly man had come and left a message that he should care and guard this threshold. It is beneficial for him.” When Isma‘il returned home and felt the fragrance of his father he asked his wife if they had a visitor.
“Yes,” she replied, “An elderly gentleman had paid us a visit. This is the impression of his foot that he left on the stone. Isma‘il fell down and kissed the footprints of his father. Reference: Hayat Al-Qulub, Vol. 1, Stories of the Prophets