THE SPRING OF ZAMZAM

 FAJR REMINDER: THE SPRING OF ZAMZAM

By: Umm Affān

Dhū al-Ḥijjah 11, 1447 (28-May-2026)

You might have drank Zamzam water before. It may appear tasteless, but the moment it touches your tongue, it feels as though it reaches deep into your heart. Indeed, it is the best water on earth. The spring of Zamzam was miraculously brought forth in Makkah near Masjid al-Ḥarām by the Command of Allāh through an angel who struck the ground with his wing. But what exactly led to this great miracle? Before going into the story, listen to what the Prophet (ﷺ) said concerning Zamzam. Jābir Ibn ‘Abdillāh (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) say: ‘The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for.’” [Sunan Ibn Mājah 3062]

Recall that Prophet Ibrāhīm left Hājar and the infant Isma’īl (‘Alayhim Salām) in the barren desert by the Command of Allāh. As the scorching days passed, their food finished, the water became exhausted, and Hājar’s milk dried up. Mother and child became extremely thirsty, and there was no sign of help anywhere. Little Isma’īl cried from hunger and thirst, while Hājar, overwhelmed with fear and desperation, began running between the hills of Ṣafā and Marwah searching for water, food, or anyone who could assist her. She repeated this seven times, yet she found nobody.

The Prophet (ﷺ) later said, “This is the source of the tradition of the walking of people between them (i.e. Ṣafā and Marwah).” Because of this, Sa‘ī between Ṣafā and Marwah became one of the important rites of ‘Umrah and Ḥajj, reminding believers of Hājar’s struggle, sacrifice, and complete trust in Allāh. Allāhu Akbar!

When Hājar reached Marwah for the seventh time, she suddenly heard a voice. She listened attentively, and then the voice came again. Hājar said: “O, (whoever you may be)! You have made me hear your voice; have you got something to help me?” She then saw an angel at the place of Zamzam digging the earth with his heel—or wing—until water gushed forth from the ground. Immediately, she hurried to contain the water by making a small basin around it with her hands while filling her water-skin. Even as she scooped from it, the water continued to flow abundantly.

Ibn Abbās (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhuma) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “May Allāh bestow Mercy on Ismā'īl's mother! Had she let the Zamzam (flow without trying to control it) (or had she not scooped from that water) (to fill her water-skin), Zamzam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth.” The Prophet (ﷺ) further added, “Then she drank (water) and suckled her child. The angel said to her, ‘Don't be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allāh which will be built by this boy and his father, and Allāh never neglects His people.‘” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2368]

From that moment, the blessed spring of Zamzam continued producing pure and sweet water. Hājar and Isma’īl drank from it, and till today, the same blessed water continues to flow for millions of people across the world. Not long after, people began settling around the valley. With Hājar’s permission, some tribes settled there, and gradually the once-empty desert became a small town along a major trade route. Merchants frequently passed through it, bringing wealth and growth until it eventually became the great city of Makkah known today.

Isma’īl (‘Alayhi Salām) grew up loved and respected among the people of Ḥijāz. The first tribe to settle there was Jurhum, an Arab tribe. They approached Hājar and said, “May we settle at your dwelling?” She replied, “Yes, but you have no right to possess the water.” They accepted her condition. Later on, Isma’īl married one of their daughters.

Dear brethren, this story teaches us to trust Allāh completely in every situation, no matter how difficult things may appear. It also reminds us that alongside trust in Allāh, we must strive patiently and never give up. I beseech Allāh to specially bless both Hājar and Isma’īl. Aameen.

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