The Story of Zam-Zam



Ibrahim (Abraham) (alayhis salam) and Sarah had been married for many years, but they had no children. In those days it was the custom for a man to take a second wife if he had no children with his first. Sarah suggested to Ibrahim that her Egyptian servant, Hajira, would be a good choice.


Ibrahim agreed to this suggestion, and soon a son was born to Hajira, they called him Isma'il (Ishmael) (alayhis salam).

Some time later Sarah, too, had a son, whose name was Ishaq (Isaac) (alayhis salam).
Allah told Ibrahim and told him that from his sons would come two nations and three religions, but Ibrahim must do as Allah asked.
Allah instructed Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salam) to take Hajira and his son Isma'il to Arabia from Palestine. His other wife Sarah was jealous that Isma'il could become a leader instead of Ishaq, her own son.


So Ibrahim (alayhis salam) followed Allah’s instructions. He took Hajira and his son Isma'il out of Palestine, travelling for several days. When they arrived at the valley of Bacca (Makkah), Ibrahim left Hajira and Isma'il, where nothing grew or lived.
He knew that Allah would take care of them.


Allah instructed Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salam) to leave them there and he did so, with some food and drink. But it was not long before their water ran out.
Isma'il began to get very weak, and hungry, and started to cry. He began kicking his feet into the ground, 'kick, kick', 'kick, kick'

Hajira was desperate to find some help. There were two hills, Safa and Marwah, one on either side of the valley.

Hajira climbed first one, then the other, looking in all directions to find water. She saw nothing. Desperate, she ran from hill to hill seven times, searching in case she had missed any sign of help in the distance.

Hajira went up and down the two hills seven times, each time, returning to her son Isma'il, seeing how he was doing.

Sadly she returned to her son, and began to pray to Allah for help
[surah Baqarah, 2: 158]
Hajira looked at Isma'il, and saw something strange.

Bubbling and sparkling in the sun, there was a small spring of water rising out of the ground near her son’s feet! She was delighted, and relieved. They were saved.

All that kicking by Isma'il (alayhis salam) into the ground, caused a water-spring to gush from the earth.

They drank, and thanked Allah. The water was sweet and cool.

Hajira and Isma'il settled by this spring, which came to be called The Well of Zam-Zam, and is still visited by Muslims on pilgrimage today.

With their water supply secure, Hajira and Isma'il (alayhis salam) were able to trade with wandering nomads for food and other supplies.


From time to time Ibrahim (alayhis salam) would visit his second wife and their son in their new home, and he was amazed to see them owning such a profitable well.
[Surah Ali' Imran, 3: 96]

Isma'il (alayhis salam) grew into a fine man, and later helped his father Ibrahim in building the Ka'bah there in Makkah
[Surah Baqarah, 2: 125].


Isma'il (alayhis salam) is seen as the founder of the Arab nation, Ishaq of the Jewish nation. The three religions which have grown from those people are Judaism, Christianity and Islam.



   Study Points: The History of the city of Makkah, the origins of Zam-Zam, Key events in the lives of Prophet Ibrahim, Isma'il and Ishaq (alayhum salam)



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