By: Moulana Aneesur Rahman Nadvi

A well is located in the courtyard of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah 20 meters (66 feet) east of Kaaba, the holiest place in Islam, which is known as Zamzam Well. This well came into existence about four thousand years (about 2 thousand BC) ago in a miraculous way. Not only hadiths bear witness about its miraculous appearance, but the sacred Torah too upholds its sanctity. Muslims consider the Zamzam water highly a sacred one. A number of hadiths have been narrated about miraculous healing power of Zamzam water. Muslim physicians have been writing about the importance and significance of Zamzam water in every period. Nevertheless the latest scientific researches which appeared in last few years have proved the miraculous statements of hadith about the Zamzam water word by word. These modern scientific researches about Zamzam water acquired more importance due to the fact that these researches were carried out by non-Muslims. Before we discuss these scientific researches, it is important to shed some light on the history of Zamzam, which will bring forth some other aspects of Zamzam water being a divine marvel.

History of Zamzam
Imam Bukahri has narrated a detailed hadith in his Sahih that when Prophet Abraham left his wife Hajira (AS) and his infant son Ismail (AS) in the barren valley of Makkah, and the dates and water with Hajira ceased to exist and Ismail started weeping bitterly of thirst and hunger, Hajira ran to the top of nearby Mt. Safa and then Mt. Marwa several times to see if she could find someone to help her. Soon she heard a voice. When she looked she saw the angel Jibrail digging the earth with his heel (or his wing) until water flowed from that place. She carefully made a depression around the place where the water was flowing. Prophet Mohammed said, “Had Hajira let the Zamzam (flow without trying to control it), Zamzam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth.” (Bukhari: 3364)
Zamzam well, after a period of time, disappeared due to desert cyclones. It was dug again in the period of grandfather of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) Abdul Muttalib. Ibn Kathir narrates from Hazrat Ali (Raz) in ‘al-Bidayah wa-Nihayah’ that whereabouts of Zamzam well were revealed to Abdul Muttalib in his dreams, and he was ordered to clean and renew it. He dug and cleaned the Zamzam well and made it functional. From that day onwards this well neither dried up nor its water level went down.

Description of Zamzam in Torah
The miraculous appearance of Zamzam well has also got mentioned in the Torah in the following words:

“God heard the boy crying, and from heaven the angel of God spoke to Hagar, “What are you troubled about, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. God has heard the boy crying. Get up, go and pick him up, and comfort him. I will make a great nation out of his descendants.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well. She went and filled the leather bag with water and gave some to the boy.” (Genesis 21: 17-20)

Although there exists disparity between the descriptions of the Torah and Sahih Bukhari about the details of appearance of Zamzam well, nevertheless, Torah rectifies that the Zamzam well came into existence miraculously. Hence Zamzam water proved to be miraculous and sacred in nature according to Jewish beliefs. In addition, Jewish Encyclopedia has mentioned several other miracles of Zamzam water too that it is applied to the eyes to brighten the sight. It further says that water of Zamzam is thought to aid students in the pronunciation of Arabic in non-Arabic countries. (Jewish Encyclopedia, V. 12, P. 633, USA, 1901)

Zamzam Well an Evergreen Well
The way Zamzam well’s appearance proved to be a miracle, in the same way its water remaining available throughout thousands of years of its existence and its attribute of not drying out too is a miracle. Here are some details about the Zamzam well. The Zamzam well was excavated by hand, and is about 30 m (98 ft) deep and 1.08 to 2.66 m (3 ft 7 in to 8 ft 9 in) in diameter (See Picture 1). Originally water from the well was drawn via ropes and buckets, but today it is pumped through modern machinery. The water level is 3.23 m (10.6 ft) below the surface. A pumping test at 8,000 litres per second for more than a 24 hour period showed a drop in water level from 3.23 m (10.6 ft) below surface to 12.72 m (41.7 ft) and then to 13.39 m (43.9 ft), after which the water level stopped receding. When pumping stopped, the water level recovered to 3.9 m (13 ft) below surface only 11 minutes later. Lakhs of liters of water is pumped on daily basis, but it never fell short of supply.

Mention of Zamzam in Haidths
The third and the most important miracle of Zamzam water is its nutritional and medicinal benefits which have been mentioned in the hadiths. The summary of the description of Zamzam water in the hadiths is given below:

Bukhari and Muslim have narrated several hadith that when the incident of incision of chest of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) took place in his childhood, angel Jibrael washed the heart of Prophet with Zamzam water. The Prophet (PBHU) said concerning the water of Zamzam, “It is a blessing, and it is food that satisfies.” (Muslim, 2473). Al Tayaalisi and other scholars of hadith added that he narrated “and a cure for the sick.” (Musnad Abu Dawood Al Tayaalisi: 459; Musnad Bazzaz: 3929; Tabrani: 295) According to a report, Abu Zarr Ghifari spent 40 days in Kaaba without any nourishment except Zamzam water. Jabir bin Abdullah narrated that Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: “The water of Zamzam is for whatever purpose it is drunk for.” (Ibn Maajah: 3062; Musand Ahmed: 14849; Sunnan Dar Qutni: 2739). Ibn Abbas narrates that Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said, “Zamzam water is the best water on the planet earth.” (Musannaf Abdul Razak: 9119; Tabrani: 3912). Some hadiths state that if you drink Zamzam water, drink your fill. On the occasion of Hudaibiyah, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) ordered Zamzam water and drank it, and took it to Madina along with him. Hazrath Ayesha (RA) too used to take Zamzam water with her and used to tell that Prophet (PBUH) too used to take Zamzam water along with him. (Mustadrak Hakim: 1783)

It has been proved clearly from these hadiths that Zamzam water is a special and the best water found on the planet earth. It can be used for both nourishment as well as a cure from illnesses. We will deal with the significance of these hadiths in the light of modern scientific researches here.

Chemical Analysis of Zamzam Water
The chemical analysis of Zamzam water revealed that it contains ideal concentration of different minerals. Zamzam water is considered a mineral water, as its mineral content is 2000 mg/liter. It contains high levels of sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), bicarbonate, chloride (Cl), fluoride (F), nitrate (NO3) and sulphate (SO4). Chemical elements like antimony (Sb), beryllium (Be), bismuth (Bi), bromine (Br), cobalt (Co), iodine (I), and molybdenum (Mo) were found to be less than 0.01 ppm, while only traces of chromium, manganese and titanium have been found in Zamzam water. The four toxic elements arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and selenium (Se) have been found below the danger levels for human consumption. The Ph level of Zamzam water is 7.8, which indicates it is slightly alkaline.

The chemical analysis of Zamzam water has revealed that it is an extraordinarily pure having no taste or odour. It is totally different from other waters in a number of ways. For example, the Zamzam water neither perishes, nor its taste or odor changes. Usually biological growth and vegetation take place in most wells leading to changes in taste and odor, but in Zamzam water well, there was no sign of biological growth found in it. Similarly, Zamzam water is free from all types of germs and bacteria. Since bicarbonates are found in higher quantities (366 ml / liter) hence it is regarded as the purest water on the planet earth. Another characteristic of Zamzam water is that it has always maintained the same composition and taste ever since it came into existence.

Another important discovery about the Zamzam well which has been accomplished by the Pakistani scientists Dr. Raja Abu Sumon and Dr. Abdul Mannan, is that the underground Zamzam water never gets contaminated with the drainages and other densities in Makkah. In order to prove their theory, they mixed such radioactive materials in all the wells of Makkah that if one millionth part of any substance is found in them, it can be detected. Despite observations for a longer period, no traces of radiated material were found. This proved the important fact that even though any amount of pollution or density found in Makkah and even its underground water got contaminated with its density, it won’t contaminate the Zamzam water against the general principle of ground water. Another characteristic of Zamzam well is that there are other water wells found in the Misfala area near Kaabah in Makkah. Despite their proximity with the Zamzam well, the chemical composition of waters of these wells and water of Zamzam well differ greatly.

Latest Scientific Researches on Zamzam Water
A number of scientific researches have been put forward over the past several years about Zamzam water. These scientific researches corroborate completely with the virtues and benefits of Zamzam water mentioned in the hadith. These researches bear a meaningful lesson not only to the Muslims but to the entire humanity too. We will discuss some of these researches here.

Dr. Knut Pfeiffer, a Christian German doctor specialist in internal medicine and head of the largest medical institution in Munich, has discovered that Zamam water has far more positive effects on human cells than regular drinking water. He, after his experiments on Zamzam water in Jeddah, explained that any mineral water for example Munich water is very pure on a chemical ground, but on the energetic ground it is a disaster, because it destroys nearly our energetic fields. On the contrary, The Zamzam water is both pure in chemical way as well as amazingly increases the energy levels in the cell systems of the body and enhances the energetic fields in the body. If a man drinks it regularly for few days, he will become healthy completely. Dr. Knut surprisingly revealed further that these are his initial researches about Zamzam water. If he gets chance and time for further studies, more astonishing discoveries regarding Zamzam water might surface.

No water in world is free from germs and bacteria completely. Nevertheless, only Zamzam water is completely free from germs and bacteria. Saudi scientist Dr. Yahya Koshak did extensive research in this regard. According to him, the Zamzam well has never been infected by germs or microbes. It has been treated by ultraviolet ray’s and found that there is no possibility of finding bacteria in this revered water.

Chemical tests proved that Zamzam water is the purest form of water on the Erath because of its containing of adequate amount of bicarbonates (366mg/l). No other water on planet earth matches its purity. The amount of bicarbonates in French Apls water is (357mg/l). Scientific researches carried out on Zamzam water have proved that calcium and magnesium are found in required quantities in Zamzam water. It is germicidal in nature due to the existence of fluorides in it.

Further studies on Zamzam found that it increases the blood platelets; increases the immunity of the body; increases WBCs and RBCs and detoxify the body. It reduces the impacts of hunger. Regular intake of Zamzam water helps to nourish the body and also increases body weight. Zamzam water if applied on over your eyes it helps to brighten the eyesight. Washing the eyes with it is helpful in many eye disorders. Zamzam water is alkaline in nature, which neutralize the excess acid formed in the stomach thus beneficial for hyperacidity and heartburn.

Japanese Scientist Masaru Emoto’s Researches
In recent years, a Japanese scientist Dr. Masaru Emoto has put forward an important research about water in general and Zamzam water in particular, in which he has proved experimentally that water too have emotions, sentiments and feelings like that of human beings and water can absorb and retransmit human feelings and emotions. In order to prove this theory, Dr. Emoto and his associates exposed water to positive and negative words, expressions, and music. Subsequently they froze the water and photographed the crystals that formed. This experiment provided concrete visual evidence of how water reacted to positive and negative feelings. In other words, our words, thoughts and feelings have their own effect on the molecule of water, and the water is able to retransmit them. Dr. Emoto has proved experimentally and showed by photographs of the water crystals that good human feelings, thanks giving and even positive music have positive effects on water crystals. Hence beautiful hexagonal water crystals were formed after exposing water to good feelings, thanks giving and positive music. Similarly, bad words, bad feelings and heavy metal music have negative effects on water crystals. Hence malformed and fragmented water crystals were formed after exposing water to such bad things (See photo 2). Dr. Emoto has also made this astonishing discovery that the word which has the utmost effect on the water is “Allah”. Hence after reciting the name of Allah on water, the water crystal has formed the most beautiful and stunning shape. Dr. Emoto also revealed upon reciting the Qur’anic verses, the water atoms became more active and energetic. I have penned a separate article about the researches of Dr. Emoto from the Islamic perspective in detail. After this brief account of Dr. Emoto about water, let us move to his researcher about Zamzam water.

Dr. Masaru’s Researcher about Zamzam Water
Dr. Masaru Emoto who did extensive chemical analyses of various waters of the planet earth and photographed its crystals, has this to write about Zamzam water:

“The quality/purity of Zamzam water has, will not be find anywhere else in the water on this earth. “

He used the technology named NANO, and researched a lot on Zamzam water. And found out that if one drop of Zamzam water mix in 1000 drops of regular water, regular water will get the same quality like Zamzam water. He also found that a mineral in one drop of Zamzam water has its own importance that will not be find any other water on this earth. He also found in some tests that the quality or ingredients of Zamzam water cannot be changed, why?, science does not know the reason. He even re-cycled the Zamzam water, but no change it was still pure. He also found out that if someone recites the Quran on regular water, it gets the ability for the treatment of different diseases. Upon photographing the crystal of Zamzam water, Dr. Motto got a uniquely shaped crystal: two crystals were formed one on the top of other, they assumed a unique form (see figure 3). It has been concluded that it is because Zamzam is composed the two words: “Zam” and “Zam”.

Stories of Healing from Zamzam Water
Zamzam water is generally considered healing water, but special cases of healing from Zamzam water have continuously appeared from the days of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) till today which have been narrated in various books.

Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyah writes that “Zamzam water is the best and noblest of all waters, the highest in status, the dearest to people, the most precious and valuable to them.” He has described his own experiments in his book “Prophetic Medicine” that during his period a number of people ailing from various diseases were successfully cured by Zamzam water. He has also written that people used to nourish from Zamzam water for upto 15 long days.

In the present era, Muslim physicians have performed medical experiments and have found it to be very useful. Dr. Ghulam Rasool Qureshi, a Pakistani doctor, who is a professor of pathology, has proved that since Zamzam water contains iron, zinc, sulfur, and oxygen in abundant quantities, it successfully cures anemia; accelerates brain and corrects the digestive system. In recent years, many reports have been reported in newspapers and magazines about curing of harmful illnesses and diseases by Zamzam water like cancer, kidney stone, kidney diseases, blood diseases, diseases related to eyes and diseases related to skin.

Controversial Report of BBC on Zamzam Water
Modern scientific researches are piling up on the enormous advantages and benefits of Zamzam water day by day, strengthening the importance and significance of Zamzam water and shedding light on the new aspect of Zamzam water. In the same time, some groups seem to indulge in a negative propaganda against the usage of Zamzam water. One of them is a report broadcasted by BBC in May 2011. This report states that water taken from taps connected to the Zamzam Well contained high levels of nitrate, potentially harmful bacteria, and arsenic at levels three times the legal limit in the UK. Hence, one who consumes commercial Zamzam water in large quantities may be exposed to higher risks of cancer.

Subsequent research from 2017 has found that the methodologies of testing Zamzam water in UK are incomplete, inadequate and biased. It also stated that it was unknown if the water being sold in the UK was genuine, because government of Saudi Arabia does not allow the export of Zamzam water for resale. The Saudi authorities have also stated that water from the well was tested by the Group Laboratories of CARSO-LSEHL in Lyon, licensed by the French Ministry of Health for the testing of drinking water. According to reports of these results, the level of arsenic in Zamzam water taken at its source is much lower than the maximum amount permitted by the World Health Organization. Zuhair Nawab, president of the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS), has claimed that the Zamzam Well is tested on a daily basis with international standard equipments. Hence the report of BBC seems not only a fabricated one, but a condemnable attempt to degrade the significance of Zamzam water too.

Zamzam Water: A Living Miracle of Islam
Zamzam water, in fact, is an extraordinary water and a living miracle of Islam. As it came into existence in a miraculous way, its survival throughout the ages and its being and remaining an incredible source of healing has also proved to be a miracle. It seems that the various hadiths narrated with regard to virtues and benefits of Zamzam water, their significance is particularly meant to be for the people of present age which are proving to be momentous in the light of modern scientific discoveries. New and diversified aspects of significance of Zamzam waters are coming into light with each and every scientific research being made on Zamzam water. It is expected that more scientific researches about Zamzam will be surfaced in future bringing forth more of its marvels. Muslim universities need to take initiatives in this regard. Anyhow, a summary of the marvels of Zamzam water which have been discussed above is given here:

• The Zamzam well came into existence miraculously. Haidths along with Torhah and other Jewish sources stand witness to it.
• Zamzam well never dried up in its four thousand years history despite abundant usage.
• The amount of salts in Zamzam water remained unchanged throughout history.
• It’s taste and odor too remained unchanged till today.
• Zamzam water is the only water on planet earth which is free from biological and bacterial growth.
• Zamzam is provided to pilgrims in its original form without mixing chemical elements.
• Both primitive and modern medicine has proved the healing nature of Zamzam water.
• The saying of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) about Zamzam water that it is the best water on planet earth has been proved by the researches of Dr. Masaru Emoto.
• The researches of Dr. Knut Pfeiffer have proved that Zamzam water is not only pure and unique chemically but it is very useful energetically too and it has far more positive effect on human cells than regular drinking water.
• The chemical analysis of Zamzam water has proved that it is considered a mineral water, as its mineral content is 2000 mg/liter, which proves the veracity of the hadith: “Zamzam is the feed of hunger.” Nevertheless, despite Zamzam water being rich in its mineral content, it is not considered harmful to health.

References:
1- Sahih Bukhari, Imam Bukhari, Daru Tawq al-Najat, 1422 AH.
2- Sahih Muslim, Imam Muslim, Dar Ihya al-Turas al-Arabi, Beirut.
3- Sunan Ibn Majah, Ibn Majah, Dar Ihya al-Kutub al-Arabiya, Cairo.
4- Musnad Ahmed, Ahmed bin Hanbal, Muassatur Risala, Beirut, 2001.
5- Sunan Dar Qutni, Dar Qutni, Muassatur Risala, Beirut, 2004.
6- Musnad Abu Dawood al-Tayalisi, Abu Dawood Tayalisi, Dar Hijr, Egypt, 1999.
7- Musnad Bajjaz, Maktabul Uloom wal-Hikam, Madina, 2009.
8- Musannaf Abdul Razaq, Abdul Razak Sinaani, al-Maktab al-Islami, Beirut, 1403 AH.
9- Mu’jam al-Awsat, Tabrani, Darul Haramain, Cairo.
10- Mustadrak Hakim, Hakim Naysapuri, Darul Kutub al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, 1990.
11- Al Bidaya wan-Nihayah, Ibn Kathir, Dar Ihya al-Turas al-Arabi, Beirut, 1988.
12- Al Tibb al-Nabawi, Ibn Qayyim Jawzi, Darul Hilal, Beirut.
13- Tibb-e-Nabawi aur Jadeed Science, Dr. Khalid Ghaznawi, Adabi Duniya.
14- Good News Bible, The Bible Society of India, Bangalore.
15- Jewish Encyclopedia, USA, 1901.
16- The Hidden Messages in Water, Masaru Emoto, Atria Paperback, New York, 2011.
17- The Miracle of Water, Masaru Emoto, Atria PB, New York, 2011.
18-https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=-OTIrpxzo54