15 Things to Know About Zamzam Water Benefits & Importance

Zamzam water benefits: Don’t forget to pray for us and bring Zamzam water on your way back,” said every family and friend to people on their way to Hajj or Umrah. And you probably have had a sip or two of ZamZam water, that has been brought back from Masjid e Haram in Makkah or from Masjid e Nabwi in Madinah. Zamzam ( زَمْزَمَ) water is the most favored pure water and is considered superior to other drinking water sources in all Islamic countries.

What Makes Zamzam Water So Special for Muslims?

15 – How was Zamzam Well Formed?

There is nothing ordinary about the Zamzam water. The story of how it sprang in the middle of the desert, how its characteristics remain the same even after thousands of years and how it is beneficial all of it is nothing short of a miracle. Let’s find out everything that is to know about this special water.

The well of Zamzam was discovered by Hajar عليه السلام, the second wife of Ibrahim عليه السلام, and the mother of Ismail عليه السلام. Hajar عليه السلام was the second wife of Ibrahim عليه السلام, his first wife Sarah عليه السلام was unable to have children for many years.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

′If Allah wills good for someone, He afflicts them with trials. BUKHARI

Ibrahim عليه السلام was very dear to Allah SWT he was also known as Khalilulah (friend of Allah ). Ibrahim عليه السلام was tested many ways as he was beloved to Allah SWT, his father’s rejection of him, his people’s persecution of him, the test of being displaced, and the difficulty of not having children. There was yet another very difficult test to come his way. Ibrahim عليه السلام traveled to Makkah, which was the site of the Kaaba. At that time it was an empty desert no one had settled there, nor was there any water. Ibrahim عليه السلام left his wife Hajar عليه السلام and son Ismail عليه السلام and started heading towards home. Hajar asked him many times why he was leaving her and his son. She repeated that to him many times, but Ibrahim did not look back at her. Then she asked him, ”Has Allah ordered you to do?” He said, “Yes”. She said, ”Then He will not neglect us“.

It is impossible to imagine both the strength of Ibrahim عليه السلام in walking away from the child he so longed for and the absolute trust of Hajar عليه السلام when she realized it was a command from Allah. She did not hesitate for a second in surrendering to His plan. She did not doubt that He would take care of them. All Ibrahim had left them with were a few dates and a small water-skin containing some water, which finished soon and Ismail became thirsty and started crying in agony. Hajar couldn’t bear to see her child in distress, so she headed towards the mountain of As-Safa was the nearest mountain to her, She stood on it and started looking at the valley eagerly looking for somebody, but could not see anyone. She crossed the valley and reached the Al-Marwa mountain, where she stood and searched expecting to see somebody, but in vain. Hajar عليه السلام ran between Safa and Marwa seven times, and each time she searched the desert, expecting to see somebody.

When Hajar عليه السلام had run between the mountains seven times, she heard a voice as she was standing on Al-Marwa. She heard the voice again, so she called out for help.

After calling out, she saw water gush out where the Zamzam water well now stands. It was Angel Jibril عليه السلام, and he had hit the earth with his wing. She raced down to the valley and started pushing the earth around the water to make a basin, and then she filled up her water-skin with her hands. As she scooped up the water, it continued to flow, so she said ‘Zome, zome’, which meant ‘Stop, stop’ – as she was worried the water would run out! So thus the water was named Zamzam. Such a sacrifice from both Ibrahim and Hajar brought about the birth of the well of Zamzam and the obligated Sa’ee in remembrance of Hajar عليه السلام in her struggle to find water for her son.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

Here are the Greatest Blessings of Allah That We Need To Be Grateful For.

14 – The Rebirth Of The Well Of Zamzam

People of Bani Jurhum, a Yemeni tribe, settled around the well of Zamzam. And with time, the population grew and began to deviate from the ways of their pious predecessors. They were driven out of Makkah and before they left they filled the well of Zamzam with stones to deprive their conquerors of its blessings. Tribes battled for control of Makkah after the clans of Quraish took control of the city for 300 years and many generations passed in Makkah with Zamzam well being in the complete void and its location became erased from memory until Abdul-Muttalib (the paternal grandfather of the Prophet ) resurrected the dead well.

Abdul-Muttalib himself was unaware of the existence of Zamzam. With the approaching of the birth of the last Messenger, a sequence of important events was set in order; the rebirth of Zamzam was one of them. It so happened that for three consecutive nights, Abdul-Muttalib had a dream. During each dream, the name of the well was different and no location was mentioned. On the fourth night, however, both Zamzam and its location were communicated to Abdul-Muttalib so clearly that he attended to the appointed task on the morning of the very fourth night. Makkans ridiculed Abdul-Muttalib at his attempt trying to find an ancient buried well. But to their disbelief, Abdul Muttalib found it and so close to the Kabaa.

13 – Zamzam Well Today

At first, the Zamzam well was housed within a building on the Mataf (open white area immediately around the Kaaba where tawaf takes place.), it was composed of several floors. Upon the expansion of the Mataf, the building was demolished in the 1960s to ease the flow of worshippers on the Mataf. 21 meters separate the Kabah from the well of Zamzam.

Well Of Zamzam In The Middle Of Mataf Area

The mouth of the well lies underneath the Mataf area parallel to Hajar e Aswad (the black stone). By the Grace of Allah SWT Zamzam water continues to flow at 11 liters per second minimum and 18.5 liters per second maximum rate of flow. Another astonishing fact is the Zamzam well is only 31 meters deep. It has two springs from which water issues forth. One comes from the direction of the Kaaba and the other from the Abu Kubayas mountain and the Hill of Safa.

The entrance of the well of Zamzam is parallel to Hajar e Aswad

Under Abbasid Caliph Al-Mansur in 771 AD, a dome was built above the well, which was then tiled with marble. Up until 1953 Zamzam water would be drawn out manually by the bucket. Now it is drawn with the help of huge water pumps, which work alternatively 24 hours a day. The pumped water is transmitted to another facility using special pipelines where with the help of water tankers it is taken to the Prophet’s Mosque in the city of Madinah. These tankers are designed specifically for the transport of Zamzam water to maintain its special characteristics. The lids of these tankers are securely locked, no one can unlock them but the person in charge at the Prophets Mosque. 150,000 liters of Zamzam is transported per day and this figure goes up to 400,000 liters during Hajj and rush season.

Zamzam water is provided at the two holy mosques in sterile containers. And for hygienic reasons disposable cups are provided. During the pandemic, all containers were removed and built-in Zamzam coolers were sealed off. Bottled Zamzam was provided to people visiting the Grand Mosque in Makkah and Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

12 – Zamzam Water Bottling Process

It was difficult for Muslims living in the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia to have easy access to Zamzam, people living in or near Makkah could easily fill up bottles and take them home. But what about the Muslims living in the other cities and around the world? In the year 2010, the inauguration of the King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz plant in the Kudai area of Makkah made things easier. Now the bottling of Zamzam done at the plant has made Zamzam very easily accessible in form of 5 or 10-liter bottles. Pilgrims living in the kingdom could take Zamzam back home. And during the pandemic when Makkah And Madinah were in lockdown, thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques these bottles were available at almost every other grocery store.

Zam Zam water cannot be officially exported. However, each year millions of visitors to Makkah and Madinah take Zam Zam water back to their home countries. They can take 5 liters free of charge on some airlines but must pay for additional amounts or else include it as part of their check-in luggage.

Bottling Plant In The Area Of Kudai, Makkah

11 – Etiquette And Duaá Of Drinking Zamzam

Sunnah of drinking water is to sit and drink it, but not for Zamzam. It is narrated by Ibn `Abbas رضي الله عنه:

Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه used to drink Zamzam water and say:

O Allah I ask you for beneficial knowledge, increase in provision, and cure of illness.

Benefits Of Zamzam Water

10 – Quenches Thirst And Satisfies Hunger.

One of the miracles of Zamzam water is its ability to satisfy both thirst and hunger. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

9 – Cure For Fever

It is narrated Abu Jamra Ad-Dabi رضي الله عنه: I used to sit with Ibn `Abbas رضي الله عنه in Makkah. Once I had a fever and he said (to me):

8 – Distinguishes Between Believers And Hypocrites

Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

7 – How Zamzam Fulfills Needs

Make duaá and drink Zamzam. If taken with the desire to fulfill some need, it will be done so. It was narrated that Jabir bin ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:

6 – Keep Zamzam With Yourself Wherever You Go

Revive a forgotten Sunnah. Hisham bin Urwah رضي الله عنه narrated from his father about Aishah رضي الله عنه :

5 – ZamZam is a Cure For The Sick

It was reported that:

4 – Face The Qibla While Drinking Zamzam

It was narrated that Muhammad bin ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said:

3 – Scientific Facts About Zamzam Water

We don’t need facts to tell us how extraordinary this water is or need any kind of proof. But for people who still have their doubts. Dr. Emoto, a Japanese scientist after 15 years of research on water published a five-volume book: Messages From Water. He wrote :

The quality and purity of Zamzam water cannot be found anywhere else on earth.
He found out that 1 drop of Zamzam water mixed with 1000 drops of regular water will get the same quality like Zamzam.
A mineral in one drop of Zamzam has its own importance and will not be found in any other water on Earth.
Quality or composition of Zamzam water cannot be changed.
He even recycled the Zamzam water still no change it remained pure as before.

2 – Why Is Zamzam Is Good For Health

Zamzam water has high levels of fluoride and is claimed to be the purest form of water, free of germs and bacteria.
Zamzam contains ideal amounts of bicarbonate (366mg/1) which is even higher than the total found in water from the French Alps. Bicarbonate is an alkali so helps to keep the acid-base balance of the body stable.
Zamzam water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which decrease fatigue. Zamzam water is highly recommended for pregnant women who experience fatigue during their pregnancy.
Zamzam water can also be the sourse of calcium needed for strong bones and teeth.
Zamzam water increases the immunity of the body.

1 – Different Names Of Zamzam

Zamzam has over 60 different names some of them are:

Still, scientists are baffled by the discoveries they are making. The story of Zamzam and how it came into existence is nothing short of a miracle. A water so pure, drinking it is devotion and a cure to the body and soul.