Question:
Assalamualaikum ustaz. Are the blessings of Zamzam water bound to only the places in Mecca and Medina or it is general for all places? Thank you.
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wrt. wbt.,
Alhamdulillah, praise and gratitude to Allah SWT for His countless blessings for us all. Praise and salutations to our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his family, companions, and all those who follow his footsteps until the Final day.
We begin with Allah SWT’s statement:
رَّبَّنَا إِنِّي أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِي زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ الْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ وَارْزُقْهُم مِّنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ
“Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So, make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.” [1]
Zamzam water is the best water of all in this world. Zamzam is the name of a water spring in Masjidil Haram in Mecca. The emergence of this water spring dates back to the time of Prophet Ismail and Ibrahim AS when Allah SWT specifically granted for Prophet Ismail and his mother when the water they brought was finished in the barren Mecca at the time.
Among the special characteristics of Zamzam water is that it is blessed water and is able to satiate hunger. This is as stated in a hadith from Abu Zar RA, where the Prophet PBUH said:
إِنَّهَا مُبَارَكَةٌ إِنَّهَا طَعَامُ طُعْمٍ
“Indeed, Zamzam water is filled with blessing and contains fulfilling food.” [2]
Furthermore, Zamzam water is the best water on this earth and the cure for diseases. There is a narration from Abdullah bin Abbas, the Prophet PBUH said:
خَيْرُ مَاءٍ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ مَاءُ زَمْزَمَ فِيهِ طَعَامٌ مِنَ الطُّعْمِ وَشِفَاءٌ مِنَ السُّقْمِ
“The best of water on this earth is Zamzam water and it contains fulfilling food and the cure of diseases.” [3]
Moreover, al-Munawi stated that Zamzam water is the best of all water, the most honoured of water, valuable and favoured by people. It is dug by the angel Gabriel and the water is given to Prophet Ismail AS. [4]
Hence, it is undeniable that the Zamzam water has special blessings and advantages such as satiating and a cure for all diseases. Furthermore, it is also the best water that can be found on earth as well as blessed.
Form the literal sense, all the hadiths that mentioned the advantages of Zamzam water are in a general form and aren’t bound to only the blessed holy land. Thus, wherever the water is transported to, its blessings and advantages remain as it was in its original state, as long as there aren’t any evidences that described that its blessings are bound to the blessings in the holy land.
This matter is further explained by al-Sakhawi who said that some stated that the advantages of Zamzam water remain only at its place – which means Mecca. When the Zamzam water is moved or transported, then it changes – it will lose its special blessings. This opinion is of no origin (baseless). The reason is ‘Ata’ was once asked regarding the ruling of transporting it out of Mecca and he answered by saying that indeed the Prophet PBUH, Hasan and Husain brought Zamzam water out of Mecca. [5]
Likewise, Syeikh Muhammad bin Soleh was asked whether there is a condition that the advantage of Zamzam water is that it must be drunk in Mecca? He replied by stating that it isn’t conditioned as such and the Prophet PBUH himself never bound the advantages to be specific in Mecca. [6]
Moreover, Syeikh al-Syibramalisi once said that the advantages of Zamzam water include those who drink it even if they aren’t in its place – which means in Mecca. [7]
Other than that, scholars have agreed on the permissibility of bringing Zamzam water to any state for the purpose of tabarruk – taking the blessing – as stated by Dr Nasir bin ‘Abd al-Rahman in his book. [8]
Conclusion
According to the above discussion and arguments, in our opinion, the blessings and advantages of Zamzam water aren’t bound to the honour of the Holy lands regardless of whether in mecca or Medina. The reason is there are prophetic evidences that state the matter of the Zamzam water itself. Thus, wherever Zamzam water is transported, its blessings and advantages remain just as it was in its origin. The claim that its blessings are gone when brought out or transported is baseless and of no origin, as stated by al-Sakhawi.
This is further strengthened by several narrations that state the Prophet PBUH himself brought Zamzam water with him when he travels. Moreover, some scholars stated that it is sunnah to bring Zamzam water out of Mecca and its advantages remain – aren’t lost. [9]
May Allah SWT grant us all a clear understanding in religion. Amin.
Wallahu a’lam.
[1] Surah Ibrahim: 37
[2] Riwayat Muslim (2473)
[3] Riwayat al-Fakihi in Akhbar Makkah (1106); al-Tabarani (11167); al-Dhiya’ in al-Ahadith al-Mukhtarah (137); Also see Majma‘ al-Zawaid wa Manba‘ al-Fawaid, 3/286; Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahihah, 3/44-45; its narrators are thiqah and this is verified by Ibn Hibban.
[4] See Faid al-Qadir Syarh al-Jami‘ al-Saghir, 5/404.
[5] See al-Maqasid al-Hasanah, pg. 569; al-Tabarruk, (Pub. Maktabah al-Rusyd), pg. 293-294.
[6] See Fatawa Nur ‘ala al-Darb, 6/2.
[7] See Hasyiah Nihayah al-Muhtaj, 3/318.
[8] See al-Tabarruk, (Pub. Maktabah al-Rusyd), pg. 293.
[9] See Hasyiah al-Sawi ‘ala al-Syarh al-Saghir, 2/44.
