How was Zamzam water found? What are its benefits and virtues? How is Zamzam drunk? Does Zamzam have to be drunk by standing? Is it not permissible to drink it by sitting?

Dear Brother / Sister,

The short history of Zamzam is as follows:

Upon the order of Allah Almighty, the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) left his wife Hagar and his son Ismail, who was still breastfeeding, in the place where the Zamzam well is located today. At that time, there were no people living in Makkah. There was no water to drink. The Prophet Ibrahim left some dates and some water for his wife and son, and set off.

It was very difficult for Hagar to stay in this desolate place where there was no food or drink. However, since Allah Almighty had ordered Abraham to leave them there, it was useless to be worried because Allah, the Giver of sustenance, definitely saw their situation.

After a while, the water left by Prophet Ibrahim ran out. Ismail started crying and asking for water. His mother did not know what to do. There was no milk to breastfeed, no water to drink. She could not bear Ismail’s crying any longer. She went up to Safa Hill. She looked around hoping to see someone. When she could not see anybody, she started running between Safa and Marwa. When she went up to Marwa hill, she heard a sound. She saw Jibril (Gabriel) near the well of Zamzam. He was digging with his wing (in one narration, with his foot). Finally, water appeared. Hagar became very happy. When she saw the water flowing, she said, “Zam zam,” meaning “Stop, stop,” and blocked the water so that it would not flow, making it like a pool. On the one hand, she was filling her jug. As she took the water, it was gushing. When her jug was full, she drank from the water and started breastfeeding Ismail. Meanwhile, Jibril said to Hagar:

“Do not fear that you will be destroyed or be lost. The Kaaba, the first temple in the world, is here. This boy will build this temple. Allah Almighty will never allow the doers and family of them to be lost.”(1)  

That is how the well of Zamzam came into existence. If Hagar had not blocked the water and left it on its own, it would have become a river. In one of his hadiths, the Prophet (pbuh) explains this truth as follows:

“May Allah show mercy to Ismail’s mother, Hagar! If she had left Zamzam free and had not filled her hands with it, it would have been a flowing river.”(2)

Zamzam is a very blessed and nourishing water. Hagar and Ismail subsisted on this water for a long time without eating. The Prophet (pbuh) points out this characteristic of Zamzam in a hadith.(3)

In another hadith, the following is stated: “Zamzam will be a cure for whatever intention it is drunk.”(4)

As for the issue of drinking Zamzam by standing:

It is stated in a narration from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet drank Zamzam water while standing. Ibn Abbas said:

“I gave the Prophet (pbuh) Zamzam water. He drank it while standing.”(5)

As it is known, the Prophet (pbuh) prohibited drinking water while standing in a hadith.(6) Thus, hadith scholars combined those different narrations. Nawawi, who explained Sahih Muslim, writes the following about those two different hadiths:

“The prohibition in those hadiths is in the form of makruh tanzihi. It aims to show that it is permissible to drink water while standing.”

Imam Suyuti explains why the Prophet (pbuh) drank Zamzam water while standing as follows:

“The reason why the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) drank Zamzam water while standing is to show that it is permissible to drink water while standing.”

Acting upon the hadith Ibn Abbas narrated, Hanafi scholars decreed that it was mustahab to drink Zamzam water while standing.

References:

1. Bukhari, Badul-Khalq: 29.
2. ibid.
3. Fathur-Rabbani, 23:248.
4. ibid., 23 247.
5. Muslim, Ashriba: 117; Ibn Majah, Ashriba: 21
6. Muslim, Ashriba: 112; Abu Dawud, Ashriba: 13.

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