The month of Sawan is going on and you must have seen that millions of kanwadis walk hundreds of kilometers and bring Ganga water from Haridwar, Gangotri and Gaumukh. For devotees, this water is not only water, but is also a symbol of reverence, faith and devotion.
In the same way, when a Muslim goes to Mecca for Haj or Umrah, he definitely brings the water of Zamzam with him in return. The water of Zamzam is also called Ab-e-Zamzam. In Islam, it is considered not just water, but a miracle, which is still flowing from the land of maize for thousands of years.
History of water
According to the Hijri calendar, Zamzam water is being used for more than 5000 years. Many Muslims drink the water of Zamzam to get shiffa from diseases and consider it to be charismatic water. But have you ever wondered why this water is so special? What is the importance of this that people keep it for years? Let us tell you in this article, the whole story of Zamzam’s water is how this water came out, and why it was named “Zamzam”.
When and how did the water of Zamzam come out?
The story of Ab-e-Zamzam is thousands of years old, the Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Abrahamalahissalam. These are the same Prophet, due to which goat Eid is celebrated. According to Islamic beliefs, one day Hazrat Ibrahimalaihissalam was ordered from Allah that he should leave his wife Bibihara and younger son Hazrat Ismail in a deserted desert area where there was no food, nor water nor any human being. Abrahamiamalahissalam trusted the command of Allah and left his wife’s child the same desert area, which we know today as ‘Mecca’.
Prophet Abraham gets Allah’s order
Bibihajra was surprised to see Abrahamiamalahissalam going but when he came to know that it was Allah’s order, he too was patient. If it passed for some time, the reason for being a desert area was thirsty for Sehjrat Ismail. But Bibihajra had neither water nor a grain to feed them. Then Bibihajra started searching for water here and there, for which he ran seven times between the two hills named Safa and Marwa to get something to eat or drink somewhere.
How was the name of Zamzam water?
Every time Bibihajra hoped that perhaps a person or water would be seen from somewhere. Seeing the thirst of son Ismail, his heart was yearned. Just then, a miracle happened… Hazrat Ismail, while weeping due to hunger and thirst, hit the feet around, suddenly a water soot (small branch of the river) erupted from the land near their ankles. Seeing the sudden water coming out of the dry ground, Bibihajra got nervous and said, “Zamzam!” That is, “Stop, stop.” So that the water does not flow and stays there. Since then, this miraculous water has been named – ‘Zamzam water.’
Aaj till date the drift is maintained
Today, when Muslims go to perform Haj or Umrah, in memory of the same race of Bibihajra, they travel seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa. The special thing about this water is that it has never been dry for centuries. Millions of people use it every year and bring home in bottles, but then its flow is still intact. This Pak water comes from the Zamzam well built inside the mosque al-haram in Mecca.
Importance of Zamzam water in Islam
The water of Zamzam not only quenches the thirst, but it is also considered to be the means of treatment in Islam. According to the belief of Islam, this water has the strength to cure the disease, and it is full of the mercy of Allah. For Muslims, Zamzam water is the most precious gift, which Muslims stand and drink.
How to drink Zamzam water?
Ab-e-Zamzam water has been described as a Sunnah method in Islam. It is also considered to be Sunnah by standing this water standing and drinking in three sips. While drinking Ab-e-Zamzam, it is considered Sunnah to face Kaaba Sharifki. While drinking this water, one should say “Bismillah” and pray to Allah.
The most important thing about Ab-e-Zamzam is that its sources are in an area where water is barely available from barely. However, despite this, water has been continuously flowing from the well of Ab-e-Zamzam for centuries. Zamzam water is used only for drinking. This water does not do farming nor this water is used in other works.