Importance of the Zamzam Well in Islam

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 05:10:34 +0000

The Zamzam Well is located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia within the Masjid al-Haram which is east of the Kaaba. That is the holiest place in Islam and for all Muslims. This well according to Islamic belief appeared after Abraham’s son Ismaeel felt thirst and began to cry in need for water. Over million of pilgrims go there every year to drink water from this well and perform the Hajj or Umrah.

This well is considered miracolous because it never dries even millions of liters of water is used from there every year. The name of this well came from Zome Zome which means stop. That was repeated by Ismaeel’s mother Hagar while she tried to contain water that sprung. Islamic belief is that water came out when angel Jibreel hit the earth with his wing and water was offered to Ismaeel and his mother. With water from Zamzam well was washed the heart of the Prophet Muhammad.

There is a number of saheeh ahaadeeth that are narrated regarding this well. Prophet Muhammad said that water from this well is the best water of the earth and able to heal sick. Muhammad carried water from Zamzam well using containers and gave sick to drink or poured on them.

At the beginning well was just surrounded by a fence made of stones and in 771 AD there was built a dome above the well. The dome was rebuilt in 775 AD as one small to cover the well and another bigger for the pilgrims. The mosque was damaged by fire in 1417 and restored in 1430 and one more time in 1499. Most recently dome was restored in 1915.

Research has shown that this water is rich in sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, bicarbonate, fluoride, chloride, sulfate, nitrate and water pH is around 8 which makes it similar to sea water. When tests are done to see how quickly well refills, results shown that well recharges from mountains around Mecca.

In 2011 test results showing very high nitrate levels and arsenic followed by bacteria which raised concerns about people who regularly drink water from this well. Arsenic is a carcinogen and bottled water which was labeled as water from Zamzam well was sold in many markets around the globe no matter Saudi government prohibited export of Zamzam water.

Many people refused to accept test results from the British Food standards Agency and after their own test results showing that arsenic is much below level permitted by the World Health Organization. Therefore authorities in Saudi found it fit for further usage and well is tested daily by the King Abdullah Zamzam Water distribution center in Mecca.

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Importance of the Zamzam Well in Islam