The water of Hajj: A simple illustrated guide to Zamzam | Religion News

The Hajj pilgrimage started on Wednesday. Some 1.8 million Muslims from throughout the globe are anticipated to assemble within the Saudi holy metropolis of Mecca for the annual gathering that can conclude on June 8.

Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all grownup Muslims who’re bodily and financially in a position to make the journey.

All through the sacred pilgrimage, pilgrims drink from Zamzam, a wellspring believed to have been flowing for greater than 4,000 years, nourishing them to this present day.

However the place does this water come from, and why does it maintain such deep significance?

The place is the Zamzam nicely positioned?

Zamzam water comes from a nicely, positioned inside the Grand Mosque of Mecca (Masjid al-Haram), some 21 metres (69 ft) east of the Kaaba.

The Zamzam nicely is beneath the Mataf space, which is the white marble-tiled area surrounding the Kaaba the place pilgrims carry out Tawaf.

In 1962, King Saud commissioned the growth of the Mataf space to raised accommodate the rising variety of pilgrims. As a part of this undertaking, the opening of the Zamzam nicely was lowered and enclosed in a basement roughly 2.7 metres (9 ft) deep beneath the Mataf.

In 2003, the basement entrances had been closed, and ingesting fountains had been relocated to the perimeters of the Mataf to permit for additional growth.

Immediately, pilgrims entry Zamzam water by dispensers and fountains unfold all through the Grand Mosque.

Why is Zamzam necessary to Hajj and Umrah?

Zamzam water is deeply linked to the origins of Mecca and the story of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim), his spouse Hagar (Hajar), and their son Ishmael (Ismail).

Based on Islamic custom, Prophet Abraham left Hagar and child Ishmael within the desert valley of Mecca by God’s command as a check of religion.

When their provisions ran out, Hagar ran forwards and backwards seven instances between the 2 small hills of Safa and Marwa looking for water.

God responded to her religion and battle with a miracle: water started to gush from the bottom close to child Ishmael’s ft – this turned the Zamzam nicely.

This spring saved their lives and led to the settlement of Mecca, which right this moment has a inhabitants of about 2.2 million.

Throughout Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims re-enact Hagar’s seek for water by strolling seven instances between the hills of Safa and Marwa within the ritual of Sa’i and drink Zamzam water following the custom of the Prophet Muhammad, who praised its purity and therapeutic qualities.

What does Zamzam imply?

Based on Islamic custom, when the Zamzam spring miraculously gushed forth close to child Ishmael’s ft, Hagar tried to comprise the water, fearing it could run out.

She is alleged to have exclaimed “Zamzam”, which is usually understood to imply “cease! cease!” or “maintain! maintain!” as she tried to cease the water from flowing away by gathering it across the spring.

What’s the supply of the Zamzam aquifer?

Zamzam water comes from a pure underground supply beneath the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The nicely attracts water from an aquifer, a layer of rock and sand that holds water, which is refilled by rainwater that seeps in from the encircling Ibrahim Valley (Wadi Ibrahim) and close by hills.

The Zamzam nicely is about 31 metres (101 ft) deep and was initially hand-dug. Water enters the nicely by unfastened sand and gravel within the prime half, and in addition from cracks within the strong rock under.

Immediately, electrical pumps carry the water up as a substitute of the outdated rope-and-bucket technique. The nicely itself is now closed to the general public, however the water is offered by fountains and dispensers across the Grand Mosque.

The Zamzam nicely is taken into account to have flowed uninterrupted for greater than 4,000 years. The continual move of water and its central position in Hajj and Umrah have been well-documented for hundreds of years.

Based on the Common Authority for the Care & Administration of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, extraction and consumption of Zamzam fluctuate by season:

• On common days:
  Water provide: A minimum of 950,400 litres (251,000 US gallons) each day
  Consumption: About 700,000 litres (185,000 US gallons) each day
• Throughout peak seasons (Hajj and Ramadan):
  Water provide: As much as 1.6 million litres (423,000 US gallons) each day
  Consumption: Can attain 2 million litres (528,000 US gallons) each day as a result of surge in pilgrims

Based on the Saudi visa workplace, ​​Mecca is anticipating to welcome 15 million Umrah pilgrims in 2025.

To handle this demand, the Zamzam nicely is monitored in actual time utilizing digital sensors that monitor water degree, pH (potential of hydrogen; a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a liquid), temperature, and conductivity. Extra monitoring wells throughout Wadi Ibrahim assist assess how all the aquifer responds to water use and rainfall.

The Zamzam Research and Analysis Centre (ZSRC) estimates how a lot water may be safely extracted and advises the Grand Mosque authority on sustainable pumping ranges. Every year, the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) points a pumping schedule, with peak demand throughout Ramadan and Dhul-Hijjah and the bottom in Muharram.

If water ranges fall under a set threshold, pumping is paused to permit the nicely to get well, guaranteeing a secure, long-term provide.

How is Zamzam completely different from faucet water?

Zamzam water is obvious and odourless, nevertheless it has a definite style resulting from its wealthy mineral content material. It’s barely alkaline, with a pH between 7.9 and eight.0, greater than common ingesting water.

A research by King Saud College discovered no organic contamination or algae in Zamzam water, that are widespread in different wells and might have an effect on style and security.

The minerals in Zamzam water provide a number of well being advantages:

• Fluoride: Helps stop tooth decay, particularly necessary in scorching climates.
• Calcium and magnesium: Current in greater quantities. Calcium is in an ionic kind, making it simpler for the physique to soak up.
• Sodium and potassium: Help hydration, nerve perform and muscle well being.

General, the entire mineral depend for Zamzam is 835mg/litre in contrast with Riyadh’s faucet water at 350mg/litre.

How is Zamzam distributed?

The Saudi authorities prohibits the sale of Zamzam water for business functions and strictly regulates its distribution to make sure it’s supplied as a sacred reward to pilgrims and never exploited for revenue.

Pilgrims getting back from Hajj or Umrah usually carry again a 5-litre bottle of Zamzam water to share with household and pals again house. As a result of Zamzam water is taken into account a particular reward, airways usually don’t embody it within the common baggage allowance, so pilgrims usually carry it individually or observe particular tips when transporting it house.

Transport Zamzam water by Saudi airports is straightforward and handy—simply observe the rules and use the designated containers for a easy and hassle-free journey.#Makkah_And_Madinah_Eagerly_Await_You#Ease_And_Tranquility pic.twitter.com/de4PLGlo18

— Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) March 28, 2025

Saudi authorities have established a classy, multistage system to retailer and distribute Zamzam water, guaranteeing it stays clear, secure and simply accessible. Electrical pumps transport Zamzam water 5km (3 miles) south to the King Abdullah Zamzam Water Challenge in Kudai. There, the water is purified after which bottled.

After remedy, the water is saved in two primary reservoirs:

• Kudai reservoir: holds 10,000 cubic metres (10 million litres)
• King Abdulaziz Sabeel reservoir in Madinah: holds 16,000 cubic metres (16 million litres)