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 capable of 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 at the present time.

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

The place is the Zamzam nicely situated?

Zamzam water comes from a nicely, situated inside the Grand Mosque of Mecca (Masjid al-Haram), some 21 metres (69 toes) 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 enlargement of the Mataf space to higher accommodate the rising variety of pilgrims. As a part of this challenge, the opening of the Zamzam nicely was lowered and enclosed in a basement roughly 2.7 metres (9 toes) deep beneath the Mataf.

In 2003, the basement entrances have been closed, and consuming fountains have been relocated to the edges of the Mataf to permit for additional enlargement.

Right now, pilgrims entry Zamzam water by way of dispensers and fountains unfold all through the Grand Mosque.

Why is Zamzam vital to Hajj and Umrah?

Zamzam water is deeply related 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 occasions between the 2 small hills of Safa and Marwa looking for water.

God responded to her religion and wrestle with a miracle: water started to gush from the bottom close to child Ishmael’s toes – this grew to become the Zamzam nicely.

This spring saved their lives and led to the settlement of Mecca, which in the present day has a inhabitants of about 2.2 million.

Throughout Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims re-enact Hagar’s seek for water by strolling seven occasions 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 toes, 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 encompassing Ibrahim Valley (Wadi Ibrahim) and close by hills.

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

Right now, electrical pumps carry the water up as an alternative of the outdated rope-and-bucket methodology. The nicely itself is now closed to the general public, however the water is out there by way of 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 stream of water and its central function 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 range by season:

• On common days:
  Water provide: At the very least 950,400 litres (251,000 US gallons) day by day
  Consumption: About 700,000 litres (185,000 US gallons) day by day
• Throughout peak seasons (Hajj and Ramadan):
  Water provide: As much as 1.6 million litres (423,000 US gallons) day by day
  Consumption: Can attain 2 million litres (528,000 US gallons) day by day because of the 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 observe water degree, pH (potential of hydrogen; a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a liquid), temperature, and conductivity. Further monitoring wells throughout Wadi Ibrahim assist assess how your entire aquifer responds to water use and rainfall.

The Zamzam Research and Analysis Centre (ZSRC) estimates how a lot water could be safely extracted and advises the Grand Mosque authority on sustainable pumping ranges. Annually, 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 better, making certain a secure, long-term provide.

How is Zamzam totally different from faucet water?

Zamzam water is evident and odourless, but it surely has a definite style as a result of its wealthy mineral content material. It’s barely alkaline, with a pH between 7.9 and eight.0, greater than common consuming water.

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

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

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

General, the full 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 present to pilgrims and never exploited for revenue.

Pilgrims coming back from Hajj or Umrah typically carry again a 5-litre bottle of Zamzam water to share with household and pals again residence. As a result of Zamzam water is taken into account a particular present, airways sometimes don’t embrace it within the common baggage allowance, so pilgrims typically carry it individually or comply with particular tips when transporting it residence.

Transport Zamzam water by way of Saudi airports is straightforward and handy—simply comply with 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, making certain it stays clear, secure and simply accessible. Electrical pumps transport Zamzam water 5km (3 miles) south to the King Abdullah Zamzam Water Mission in Kudai. There, the water is purified after which bottled.

After remedy, the water is saved in two fundamental 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)