- Zamzam water is sacred water from the Zamzam well in Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. Drinking Zamzam water is considered a blessing for Muslims.
- Some believe Zamzam water has special properties such as promoting health, quenching both thirst and hunger, and ensuring one’s prayers are answered.
- Zamzam water is consumed during the Hajj, an annual, multi-day pilgrimage where millions of Muslims visit the Great Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
What is Zamzam water?
Zamzam water is sacred water from Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. The water is drawn from the Zamzam Well, located within the Masjid al-Haram—the Great Mosque of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. Every year, millions of Muslims make a multi-day pilgrimage to Mecca, called the Hajj, where they engage in many customs such as reciting prayers and drinking from the well. Consuming Zamzam water is considered a blessing for Muslims. Some believe it promotes health and wellness, too. The Zamzam Well is situated just 20 meters (66 feet) from the Kaaba, a black stone building at the center of the Masjid al-Haram, and the holiest site in Islam. When Muslims pray, they kneel and bow in the direction of the Kaaba, no matter where they are in the world.
Who drinks Zamzam water, and why?
Muslims drink Zamzam water during the Hajj, an Islamic pilgrimage. Once a year, Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca as part of the Hajj and drink holy water from the Zamzam well. According to Islamic tradition, the well once provided water to Hajar, an ancestor of the prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Pilgrims drink the water as part of a ritual replicating Hajar’s struggle to find water in the desert. The Hajj lasts 5-6 days and includes many events, festivities, and practices, including drinking from the Zamzam well. Islamic law requires all Muslims to partake in the Hajj at least once in their lifetimes.
Some Muslims drink Zamzam water to improve their health. According to traditional Islamic texts, Zamzam water can treat many different health problems, including fever, skin conditions, and digestive issues. It’s also believed to be beneficial during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, and is said to quench both hunger and thirst. Research has shown that Zamzam water is rich in healthy minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. The high mineral content gives Zamzam water a slightly alkaline taste, similar to mineral water.
Muslims sometimes drink Zamzam water during prayer. The water may be consumed while making “duas,” special prayers used to ask Allah for help, guidance, or protection from evils and hardships. According to Islamic beliefs, drinking Zamzam water after reciting a dua increases the likelihood that a prayer will be answered favorably. For instance, a Muslim may make a dua asking Allah for protection from illness or disease, then drink a glass of Zamzam water and recite the phrase “Alḥamdulillāh,” meaning “Praise be to God.”
Non-Muslims can drink Zamzam water if they wish. There are no laws or traditions barring non-Muslims from consuming Zamzam water. However, a non-Muslim may have difficulty obtaining it since Zamzam water cannot be legally exported out of Saudi Arabia, and non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the city of Mecca. A non-Muslim would have to buy it in another Saudi city such as Medina, or ask a Muslim acquaintance to bring some back from Mecca. Muslims who visit Saudi Arabia are permitted to take a small quantity of Zamzam water out of the country when they leave. They could then share their Zamzam water with non-Muslim friends, neighbors, and acquaintances if they wish. Remember that Zamzam water is considered sacred in Islam. If you’re a non-Muslim and obtain Zamzam water, be sure to treat it with the same respect you would treat a crucifix, menorah, or any other religious object.
How to Drink Zamzam Water
Stand and face towards Mecca when drinking Zamzam water. The direction of the city of Mecca relative to where you’re currently located is known as the “qiblah.” Per Islamic tradition, Muslims always face the qiblah during prayers. Because drinking Zamzam is considered a religious act, face the qiblah—the direction of Mecca—when drinking it. Note that the direction of Mecca will change depending on where you are in the world. For example, if you’re located in San Francisco, California, face roughly northeast. If you’re In London, UK, face southeast. Use a resource like Qibla Finder to determine the direction of Mecca, relative to you.
Praise Allah and take three gulps of water. Recite the phrase “Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala,” meaning, “May God be praised and exalted.” This is a common Muslim prayer and a show of respect for Allah, the God of Islam. After reciting this phrase, take three gulps, then continue drinking as much Zamzam water as you please. Make a dua—a special prayer asking Allah for help, guidance, or protection—if you like. You can ask for help with a specific problem, or recite a dua from an Islamic text. Be sure to make the dua before taking your three gulps of Zamzam water.
Finish by praising Allah one more time. Recite the Arabic phrase “Alhamdulillāh.” This roughly translates to “Praise be to Allah.” Muslims use this phrase to show their love and reverence for Allah, and as sow of gratitude for whatever talents, gifts, and life experiences Allah has given them. Remember to keep your body facing Mecca throughout this process.
Where can you obtain Zamzam water?
You can only buy Zamzam water in Saudi Arabia. It’s illegal to export Zamzam water out of Saudi Arabia, so you can’t get it legally anywhere else in the world. Pilgrims during the Hajj can obtain it for free from dispensers and water coolers around the Great Mosque, which are pre-filled with Zamzam well water by the Saudi government. Visitors and locals can purchase it from authorized suppliers: The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Zamzam water distribution center in Mecca sells bottled Zamzam water. Local grocery store chains like Lulu and Hyperpanda also sell these bottles. Hajj and “Umrah” agents—travel agencies who work exclusively with Hajj pilgrims—can help visitors purchase real Zamzam water. Visitors to Saudi Arabia can buy Zamzam water at Jeddah Airport. Hajj pilgrims leaving the country are permitted to take a small amount of Zamzam water for personal use. Avoid buying Zamzam water from small, local vendors since there is no way to guarantee its purity.
You cannot buy Zamzam water online. Many websites falsely claim to sell Zamzam water, with prices ranging from $10-14 per liter ($38-53 per gallon). Some even advertise the water as 100% pure. Sadly, these products are likely fake. There is no way to verify the authenticity of Zamzam water sold outside of Saudi Arabia.
Comments
0 comment