BIʾR ZAMZAM (بئر زمزم): The Sacred Well of Islam
Comprehensive Definition
Biʾr Zamzam (بئر زمزم), known as the Zamzam Well, is a revered well located within the precincts of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It holds profound spiritual and historical significance in Islam and is believed to provide miraculous water that remains drinkable despite the arid conditions of its surroundings.
Etymology
The term “Zamzam” derives from Arabic, believed to mean “stop” or “cease,” which relates to the legendary account that the mother of Ishmael, Hagar, uttered as the waters gushed forth.
Background
According to Islamic tradition, the well of Zamzam was divinely generated by Allah for Hagar, the wife of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), and their son Ismail (Ishmael), at a point of utter despair in the harsh Meccan desert. The well was created after Hagar’s relentless search for water by running seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, actions that are commemorated during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
- Similarities: Like holy waters in other religions (e.g., the Ganges River in Hinduism, the Jordan River in Christianity), Zamzam water is seen as spiritually purifying and is often taken by pilgrims as a blessed souvenir.
- Differences: Unlike other sacred waters, Zamzam does not stem from a natural river but rather a supernatural well. Its significance is also profoundly connected to the foundational stories of Islamic patriarchs.
Synonyms
- Zamzam Water
- Sacred Well of Zamzam
Antonyms
- Secular Fountain
- Common Water Source
Related Terms with Definitions
- Hajj (حجّ): An Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially capable, during which the rites of Zamzam are observed.
- Safa and Marwah (الصفا و المروة): Two small hills near the Kaaba, between which Hagar ran in search of water for her son.
Exciting Facts
- The Zamzam well has never dried up despite millions of pilgrims drawing from it annually.
- It is estimated to pump around 11-18.5 liters per second.
- The well is about 30 meters deep.
Quotations
- “The best water on the face of the earth is the water of Zamzam. In it is food for nutrition and healing for illness.” — Prophet Muhammad (Hadith, Sahih Muslim)
References
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith about Zamzam Water
- Al-Sira Al-Nabawiyya (The Life of the Prophet) by Ibn Ishaq
- “The Road to Mecca” by Muhammad Asad
Suggested Literature and Other Sources
- “Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam” by Venetia Porter
- “Islam and the Fate of Others: The Salvation Question” by Mohammad Hassan Khalil
May your journey in seeking knowledge about the sacred well of Zamzam inspire a deeper understanding of its significance in faith and history. May the divine waters of Zamzam nurture your spirit as they have nurtured the hearts of millions.
- Khalid Al-Mahdi, October 2023
