The month of Sawan is going on and in this you must have seen that lakhs of Kanwariyas walk hundreds of kilometers to bring Ganga water from Haridwar, Gangotri and Gaumukh. For devotees, this water is not just water but also a symbol of reverence, faith and devotion.
Similarly, when a Muslim goes to Mecca for Hajj or Umrah, he definitely brings Zamzam water with him on his return. Zamzam water is also called Aab-e-Zamzam. In Islam, this is not just water, but is considered a Mozza i.e. a miracle, which is still flowing from the land of Mecca for thousands of years.
History of Zamzam water
According to the Hijri calendar, Zamzam water has been in use for more than 5000 years. Many Muslims drink Zamzam water to get healing from diseases and consider it as miraculous water. But have you ever wondered why this water is so special? What is its importance that people keep it for years? Let us tell you the complete story of Zamzam water in this article, how this water came out, and why it was named “Zamzam”.
When and how did Zamzam water come out?
The story of Aab-e-Zamzam is thousands of years old, from the era of Prophet of Islam Hazrat Ibrahim Alaihissalam. This is the same Prophet because of whom Bakri Eid is celebrated. According to Islamic beliefs, one day Hazrat Ibrahim Alaihissalam received an order from Allah to leave his wife Hazra and his younger son Hazrat Ismail in a deserted desert area, where there was no food, no water and no human being. Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) trusted the orders of Allah and left his wife and child in the same desert area, which we know today as ‘Mecca’.
Prophet Ibrahim received the order of Allah
Bibi Hajra was surprised to see Ibrahim (peace be upon him) leaving, but when she came to know that this was the order of Allah, she too had patience. After some time, Hazrat Ismail felt thirsty because it was a desert area. But Bibi Hajra had neither water to give them nor a single grain to feed them. Then Bibihajra started searching for water here and there, for which she ran seven times between two hills named Safa and Marwa in the hope that she might find something to eat or drink somewhere.
How did Zamzam water get its name?
Every time Bibi Hajra had this hope that maybe some human being or water would be visible from somewhere. Seeing the thirst of his son Ismail, his heart ached. Then, a miracle happened… When Hazrat Ismail kicked his feet here and there, crying because of hunger and thirst, suddenly a spring of water (a small branch of the river) burst from the ground near his heels. Seeing water suddenly coming out from the dry ground, Bibi Hajra got scared and said, “Zamzam!” That means “stop, stop.” So that the water does not flow and stays there. Since then this miraculous water got the name – ‘Zamzam water.’
The flow continues till today
Today, when Muslims go to perform Hajj or Umrah, they circle seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa in memory of the same race of Bibi Hajra. The special thing about this water is that it has never gone dry for centuries. Millions of people use it every year and bring it home by filling it in bottles, but still its flow continues till today. This holy water comes from the Zamzam well inside the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
Importance of Zamzam water in Islam
Zamzam water not only quenches thirst, but is also considered a means of healing in Islam. According to the belief of Islam, this water has the power to cure diseases, and it is full of the mercy of Allah. For Muslims, Zamzam water is the most precious gift, which Muslims drink while standing.
How should one drink Zamzam water?
Drinking the water of Aab-e-Zamzam is described as Sunnah in Islam. Drinking this water while standing and taking three sips is also considered Sunnah. It is considered Sunnah to face towards Kaaba Sharif while drinking Aab-e-Zamzam. While drinking this water one should say “Bismillah” and pray for healing from Allah.
The most special thing about Aab-e-Zamzam is that its source is in an area where water is hardly available naturally. However, despite this, water has been flowing continuously from the well of Aab-e-Zamzam for centuries. Zamzam water is used only for drinking. This water is neither used for farming nor is it used for other purposes.