Zamzam water

It is the water that Allah Ta'ala has made to gush from the earth through Hazrat Jibril (Alaihimus Salam) to appease the thirst of Hazrat Ismail (Alaihimus Salam). According to a Hadith, the best drink is water and the best water in this world is Zamzam water which can be used as food and can also be used as a means of Shifaa (cure). According to a Hadith of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), the water of Zamzam is for whatever aim it was drunk for. That is, one can quench one's thirst if one is thirsty, one can use it as a remedy if one is sick. Thus, it serves the cause for which it was consumed.

Several 'Ulama drank Zamzam water for certain purpose and they succeeded. Imam Shaafi'i (Rahmatullaahi alayh) had drunk it for agility in archery. As a result, he achieved nine out of ten. Allaamah Al-Hakim had drunk it for great competence in the writing of books. By the command of Allah Ta'ala, he was the best author and writer of his time. Allaamah Ibn Hajar Asqalani had drunk it to acquire an impeccable memory similar to Allaamah Az-Zahabi. According to his report, Allah Ta'ala had fulfilled his desire.

According to Al-Mustadrak of Al-Hakim, Hazrat Abdullah Bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhu) was reading the following Dua when he was drinking Zamzam water:

اللهم انى اسئلك علما نافعا ورزقا واسعا وشفاء من كل داء

"O Allah, I ask you for a beneficial knowledge, ample food and cure of all diseases"

According to what Hazrat Abdullah Bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma) said, the proper way to drink Zamzam water is to drink it while facing the Qibla and in 3 gulps.

[English version of "De l’eau Zamzam" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.2]