The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “Water of Zamzam is good for whatever (purpose) it has been drank.”
The Prophet also said: “Water of Zamzam is a healer of every disease…”
It doesn’t matter what your background is, it is always great to learn new things, right?
I have been asked by many people who have never heard of Zamzam water before to explain what it is, where it comes from, and its’ history.
Although I myself have a little knowledge regarding it, during my travels to Saudi Arabia, I found myself captivated by the remarkable stories and miracles of Zamzam Water. While visiting the majestic Masjid Al Haram, I had the incredible opportunity to see the Zamzam Well, located just 20 meters east of the Holy Kaaba. It was fascinating to observe how the water flowed continuously yet never overflowed, a phenomenon that felt truly miraculous.
Though we received it for free at the well and around the Masjid, while returning, my dad purchased a five-litre bottle for 12 Saudi Riyals—approximately 1000 Sri Lankan Rupees, mainly because a lot of people back in Sri Lanka and all around the world believe it has a lot of health benefits and for many pilgrims, bringing Zamzam water back home is a cherished tradition, as it symbolises not only the physical act of pilgrimage but also spiritual blessings and well-being.
But what exactly makes Zamzam Water so special?
The story of Zamzam Water traces back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hajar, and their infant son Ismaeel. Hajar and Ismaeel were left in the barren desert, thirsty and desperate. As Hajar searched for water, she ran between the hills of Al Safa and Al Marwa seven times. In a miraculous turn of events, water gushed forth at her feet, providing them with sustenance and hope. Out of fear that the water would run out, as she did not know how long she would be in the desert for, Hajar began to make a barrier around the spring with sand and stones and kept repeating the words ‘Zam Zam, which means in Arabic, ‘Stop, stop’ in order to preserve its water. And eventually, this spring became known as Zamzam.
During Ottoman times the Zamzam Well was housed within a building on the Mataf (the surrounding around the Kaba, centre of the holiest mosque in Islam, located at the Grand Mosque of Mecca). This was demolished in the 1960s to ease the flow of worshippers on the Mataf. The Zamzam Well is located 21 metres from the Ka’bah, towards the side of the Maqame Ebrahim (the stone on which Prophet Ibrahim stood on while he was building the Ka’bah.) Its depth is approximately 31 metres. The water comes from two springs, one from the Ka’bah direction, the other from Mount Abu Qubais. Water used to be drawn manually by bucket, electric pumps now pump water into tanks. Today, two pumps work alternatively to extract the water. At a minimum they pump 11 litres per second. At the maximum level they can pump 18.5 litres per second.
Normally they pump 150,000 litres per day. In busy periods, such as Ramadhan and Hajj, 400,000 litres is extracted. Water is transmitted to the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz plant in the Kuday through special pipelines to be processed and bottled.
The project, which cost about 700 million Saudi Riyals, is managed by the National Water Company of Saudi Arabia. At this facility, the water undergoes filtration and UV treatment before being stored in large reservoirs—10,000 cubic meters at the Kudai plant and 16,000 cubic meters at the King Abdulaziz Sabeel Reservoir in Medina.
To monitor the well’s technical properties, the Saudi Geological Survey operates a ‘Zamzam Studies and Research Centre,’ utilising a digital system to track water levels, conductivity, pH, and temperature. Notably, Zamzam water is colourless and odourless, with a distinctive taste and a slightly alkaline pH ranging from 7.9 to 8.
The purity and health benefits
Zamzam Water is often hailed for its remarkable qualities, supported by scientific studies that highlight its unique benefits. Renowned German scientist Dr. Knut Pfeiffer has conducted extensive research showing that Zamzam Water increases energy levels in our cells, invigorating the body and boosting overall vitality.
Tests conducted by Dr. Yahya Koshak have revealed that Zamzam Water is devoid of germs and bacteria, thanks to its high fluoride content, making it not only safe but exceptionally pure. With its elevated bicarbonate levels surpassing even that of water sourced from the pristine French Alps, Zamzam Water is celebrated as one of the purest waters on Earth. This holy water is abundant in calcium and magnesium, vital for reducing fatigue and promoting overall health. Its healing properties make it a preferred choice for many seeking natural remedies. The high calcium content in Zamzam Water supports healthy bone development, making it particularly beneficial for growing children and
adults alike.
The health benefits of Zamzam Water are vast, leading many to consider it not only sacred but also a vital source of nourishment and healing. Today, millions of Muslims from around the globe flock to Makkah each year to partake in the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, quenching their thirst with Zamzam Water and reflecting on its deep spiritual significance. So, the next time you find yourself in Makkah, take a moment to visit the Zamzam Well. Experience for yourself the purity and spiritual essence of this miraculous water.
Originally Published on Ceylon Today