Benefits of Zamzam Water
Question: Does Zamzam water have superiority over other waters, and what are its benefits?
Answer: Undoubtedly, the virtues of Zamzam water are numerous, and it is one of the clear signs of Allah, the Exalted, and is full of blessings.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
«خير ماء علٰي وجه الأرض ماء زمزم فيه طعام الطعم وشفاء السقم»
Imam Haithami (may Allah have mercy on him) states that it was narrated by Bazzar and Tabarani in Al-Mu’jam al-Saghir, and Bazzar’s narrators are those of Sahih.
“The best water on the surface of the earth is the water of Zamzam; it suffices for those who drink it and is a cure for sickness.”
Among the virtues of Zamzam water is that when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ascended during the Mi’raj, Jibril (Gabriel) came and washed his blessed heart with Zamzam water.
Many Imams have mentioned in their observations that Zamzam water truly suffices for food.
Imam Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“I observed a man who sustained himself for several days on Zamzam water, approximately half a month or more, and he did not feel hunger. He performed Tawaf with people like an ordinary person. He told me that sometimes this condition lasted for forty days.”
Allama Fakhi wrote that Safiya bint Bahrah said: “I saw a large bowl of Umm Hani bint Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with her) placed in the mosque. Zamzam water was poured into it, and when we asked our family for food, they would say: ‘Go to Umm Hani’s bowl.'”
There are many benefits of Zamzam water, one of which is that Allah, the Exalted, fulfills the purpose for which Zamzam is drunk. As Allama Fakhi narrated:
“When Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) performed Hajj, we also performed Hajj with him. When he circumambulated the Kaaba and prayed two Rak’ahs at Maqam Ibrahim, then passed by Zamzam and started to leave towards Safa, he said: ‘O boy! Bring me a Dool (a measure) of Zamzam.’ It was brought for him; he drank it and poured some on his head and face and said:
«زمزم شفاء وهى لما شرب له»
Regarding this narration, Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (may Allah have mercy on him) states in his book «جزء ماء زمزم لما شرب له»: “This chain is Hasan (good) despite being Mauquf (stopped at a Companion), and among all the chains I have seen for this Hadith, it is the best.”
“Zamzam is a cure, and the purpose for which it is drunk is fulfilled.”
Some have said that although this narration is Mauquf, it is Hukman Marfoo’ because the matter mentioned does not involve opinion or Ijtihad.
In Sunan Ibn Majah, there is a narration in these words:
«ماء زمزم لما شرب له»
“The purpose for which Zamzam water is drunk is achieved.”
This narration was declared Sahih by Allama Albani (may Allah have mercy on him).
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
«ماء زمزم لما شرب له ان شربته تستشفي به شفاك الله وان شربته لشبعك اشبعك الله به وان شربته ليقطع ظمأك قطعه الله وهى هزمة جبريل وسقيا الله اسماعيل»
“The water of Zamzam fulfills the purpose for which it is drunk. If you drink it seeking healing, Allah will grant you healing; if you drink it to quench your thirst, Allah will quench your thirst; and if you drink it to satisfy your thirst, Allah will satisfy it. It is the strike of the feet of Jibril (Gabriel) and Allah’s giving to Ismail (Ishmael).”
Many hadith scholars have used Zamzam water for various noble purposes, and Allah fulfilled their objectives.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) states in his book “Juz’ Ma’ Zamzam Lima Shuriba Lahu” (Part of Zamzam Water for What It Was Drunk For): “I drank it once and prayed to Allah to grant me the ability to memorize hadith like Imam Dhahabi. At that time, I was a beginner student of hadith. Then after some time, I performed Hajj, which was about twenty years later. At that time, I sought a rank higher than that, and then I sought an even higher rank from it. I hope Allah will grant me that.”
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from Abu Bakr bin Al-Muqri, from Suwayd bin Sa’id, who said: “I saw Ibn Mubarak entering Zamzam and he said: ‘O Allah! Abdullah bin Mu’mil narrated to me from Abu Al-Zubair from Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘The water of Zamzam fulfills the purpose for which it is drunk.’ O Allah! I am drinking it to be saved from the thirst of the Day of Judgment.'” For further details on this matter, refer to the aforementioned treatise of Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him).
