Why is Zamzam water considered sacred?

Zamzam is the water that Allah brought forth from the Zamzam well to quench the thirst of Isma'il (peace be upon him), the son of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). The story of Zamzam water begins from this event.

Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), following Allah’s command, left his wife Hajar and his son Isma'il in the desert. After some time, the baby became hungry and thirsty and began to cry. Hajar searched for water, running between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times, praying to Allah. At that moment, Allah sent Jibril (peace be upon him), who struck the ground with his wing at the place of the Zamzam well, and water began to gush forth. This is how the Zamzam well was created.

This well is located in the holy city of Mecca, southeast of the Kaaba, opposite the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). The word "Zamzam" has several linguistic meanings.

• First, "Zamzam" means "abundant." The well was named Zamzam because of its plentiful water. Despite millions of pilgrims drinking from it and taking it home for centuries, the water has never diminished. It is believed that Zamzam water will never run out until the Day of Judgment. According to a narration from the great Tabi'i scholar Dahhak ibn Muzahim:

  "As the Day of Judgment approaches, all fresh water will disappear into the earth, except for Zamzam water."

  he said.

• Second, it means "gather" or "stop." When Hajar tried to stop the water gushing from the ground by saying "zam, zam" (meaning "stop, stop") and tried to gather it with her hands, the water began to flow more gently. According to a narration from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him):

  "If Hajar had not tried to contain the spring with her hands, the water would have spread out and flooded the area."

  he said.

Allah has endowed Zamzam water with special qualities, making it superior to other waters.

• First, Zamzam water is a spring from Paradise on earth. According to a narration from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him):

  "Zamzam is one of the springs of Paradise."

  he said.

• Second, it is a uniquely blessed water in the world. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

  "The best water on earth is Zamzam water."

  Therefore, the angels washed the Prophet’s heart with Zamzam water several times to purify it.

• Third, Zamzam water satisfies hunger. Umm Ayman, who cared for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said:

  "I never heard the Prophet complain of hunger or thirst. He would drink Zamzam water and be satisfied. If offered food, he would say, 'I am full.'"

  she said.

• Fourth, whatever intention you drink Zamzam water for, it will be fulfilled. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

  "Whatever purpose you drink Zamzam for, it will be fulfilled. If you drink it seeking a cure, Allah will heal you. If you drink it seeking help, Allah will help you. If you drink it to satisfy your hunger, Allah will feed you. If you drink it to quench your thirst, Allah will quench your thirst."

  Imam Nawawi commented on this hadith: "Whoever drinks Zamzam with a specific need, it will be fulfilled. Some scholars of Islam have tried this, drinking it with intentions for both worldly and Hereafter needs, and by Allah’s will, their intentions were fulfilled." Ibn Khuzaymah (may Allah be pleased with him), when asked, "How did you attain such knowledge?" replied: "I asked Allah for beneficial knowledge when I drank Zamzam water."

• Fifth, drinking Zamzam water to fullness protects against hypocrisy. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

  "Drinking Zamzam water to your fill protects against hypocrisy."

  In another hadith:

  "The sign between us and the hypocrites is that they cannot drink Zamzam water to their fill."

  It is permissible to use Zamzam water for wudu and ghusl, but it should not be used for istinja (cleansing after relieving oneself) or removing impurities.

Medet Kurmashuly

"Iman" magazine, No. 6, 2023