A gem that I discovered last year was envisioned and financed by Trakya University. Before this, the last time I had visited Turkey’s most northwesterly city of Edirne was in the mid 1990s. The “masterpiece” mosque of Sinan rightly dominated the town, and the Tower of Justice in the Sarayiçi area had been cleaned and restored, but other monuments from the time when the city of Edirne was the capital of the Ottomans were sad and forlorn.

So I was delighted to spend almost a whole afternoon in the newly restored Sultan Bayezid II complex. Only about half of this Ottoman health center has been restored so far, and work is still under way on the large mosque that adjoins this octagonal structure, which stands proud on the banks of the Meriç River.

Not only have the stones and domes been renovated, but great imagination has been applied to bring to life what this amazing medical center must have been like some five centuries ago. When we think of the history of medicine, operations before anesthesia and practices such as blood letting by leeches have left us judging the past as backward.

But here in Edirne was a fully functioning holistic healing center, which was one of the most significant medical, social, cultural and religious institutions of its age. Named after its benefactor, the complex was built by Sultan Bayezid II in 1484. The hospital was originally multi-disciplinary but developed into a psychiatry specialty. While in Europe the mentally ill were often viewed as demon-possessed, at best locked up and at worst burnt at the stake, here in Edirne they were treated with such modern techniques as aromatherapy, aqua therapy and music therapy.

A tableaux of surgeons, head physicians and patients as well as the hospital musicians greet the visitor. The light streaming in through glass panes in the dome of the beautiful octagon, the scents wafting in from the herb garden outside and the strains of the ney (reed flute) and lute soothe your mind and soul, particularly if you drop in to this museum after a busy working week.

Other rooms in the museum are dedicated to the history of medicine in the Islamic world, and it is in this complex, which won Trakya University the honor of the Council of Europe Museum Prize for 2004, that visitors can learn all about Avicenna.

You may have heard his name in connection with the name of a hospital in Turkey, just like Florence Nightingale. Avicenna is the Latinized form of Ibn Sina, an 11th century Persian philosopher and physician who wrote a medical canon and book of healing which was as famous in its day as “Grey’s Anatomy” is today, and was used as a textbook in medical schools across Europe for many centuries.

In his newly published history of Islamic science, “Light From the East,” Boğaziçi University’s doyen physics professor, John Freely, describes Avicenna as “the prince of physicians.” In describing the “al-Qanun fi al-Tibb” (The Canon of Medicine) and the “Kitab al-Shifa” (The Book of Healing), Freely notes that they were written because Avicenna “saw that neither Greek nor Arab had any book that could teach the art of medicine as an integrated and connected subject.”

Freely, who has carried out post-doctorate research into the history of science at Oxford University, was inspired to write this volume because many histories of modern Western science fail to acknowledge the major contribution played by Islamic scientists in the period between the sixth and 11th centuries. When Europe was in the Dark Ages, Islam was experiencing its Golden Age.

Any visitor to Harran near Urfa who comes expecting just to see the beehive houses and to marvel at how people still live in what could be judged as primitive conditions must be confronted with their prejudices when they see the arch and tower which remain from one of the most illustrious universities of mathematics and astronomy.

In a fast-paced overview of the whole history of science from Herodotus to Abdus Salam, the Atomic Energy Commission and the Nobel Prize in 1979, Freely traces the way scientific knowledge was passed from one people to another by way of translations, and then built on and developed by forward thinking discoverers and inventors.

We all know about Greeks such as Archimedes, Pythagoras, Ptolemy and Euclid. These fathers of philosophy, mathematics and science have theorems named after them, and their works are still studied today.

As Europe fell into decline, the pendulum of scientific research swung towards the Persian and Arab worlds. The councils of Nicaea and Chalcedon resulted in many Christians branded heretics moving southeast towards Mesopotamia. There they translated many Greek works into Arabic and became influential as catalysts for the scientific centers that grew in Harran, in Edessa, in Baghdad and in Cairo.

This flowering of scientific knowledge was in a way a rebellion against the Greek ideas that rejected God. Muslim scientists celebrated what to them were marvels they were discovering about God’s creation and reconciled science to faith to create a philosophy appropriate for an Islamic community. Unlike Dawkins and Hawking of the 21st century, who see science as disproving the existence of God, Muslim theology has always sought to embrace scientific discovery as proving details found in holy scriptures.

Freely presents us with a veritable cast of hundreds of Muslim scientists who during a few short centuries contributed their own theorems and research to the world of science. At his introduction we meet hundreds of astronomers, doctors, philosophers, mathematicians, alchemists, geographers, cartographers, physicists and botanists.

These men were enquiring, and their work was astonishingly accurate. At the famous House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikma) in Baghdad in the Abbasid period, they calculated the circumference of the earth from observing the phases of the moon to be 24,000 miles. This is only 92 miles different from the true value measured with modern equipment. Battani the Harranite, whom Copernicus later refers to, calculated the actual length of a year to be 365 days, six hours, nine minutes and 12 seconds. Just two seconds out.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, many of these works were translated into Latin and the pendulum swung back to the West, sparking the cultural renaissance that led to modern European science.

One of the greatest of these Western scientists, Sir Isaac Newton, said that “if I have seen further [than Descartes] it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Freely shows us how some of those giants were Muslim scholars based in modern day Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Central Asia.

Do you know that looking after ourselves is so important….our bodies are an amanah & we should look after them the best possible way. Alhamdulillah Islam is so beautiful that for evrey problem there is a solution & for every disease there is a cure :-

Our beloved Prophet said: “For every disease there is a remedy and when the remedy is made apparent, and then the disease is cured by the permission of Allah Almighty'". [Muslim]


He also said  said: “He who has put diseases on the earth, has also put its remedy there”. [Tirmidi]



Some of the useful remedies for certain ailments whose effectiveness is mentioned in many hadith are stated below. …..Please remember shifaa (cure) is from Allah SWT  but it is from the sunnah to seek & take the remedy .As Muslims we must acknowledge and accept that Allah & His Prophet (peace be upon him), know better and have revealed the truth.

 Black seed(Nigella Sativa) - This is also known as Al-Habbat ul sawda, black caraway &  Kulunji.

This has been around for a long time & has been used since antiquity by Asian herbalists and pharmacists, and was used by the Romans for culinary purposes.

Subhanallah read the following hadith carefully as it highlights the inmportance of this seed:-

Aisha RA said that she heard the Messenger PBUH say, “This black seed is a cure for every disease except death.” (Bukhaari).

This has many benefits as it provides nutritional support for the body's defense system.

Ibnul Qaiyum (may Allah have mercy upon him) said, “The black seed helps against all types of cold ailments… when ground, blended with honey and drunk with some water, it will dissolve the stones that appear in the kidney and the prostate…it increases the flow during menstruation and the production of milk if it is drunk for several days… When it is heated with vinegar and placed on the stomach it will eliminate worms. It also clears up, decomposes and relieves cold symptoms when it is ground, placed in a rag and inhaled through the nose on a regular basis until the ailment is cured. Black seed oil… when twenty-five grams of it is drunk with water, it will help against gasping and hard breathing…”[Translated ‘Medicine of the Prophet’ by Ibnul Qaiyum (may Allah have mercy upon him)

To sum up this seed is good for many things such as diabetes, good for allergies, for arthritis, improves kidney function, promotes regulation of blood pressure, promotes detoxification of th eliver, promotes digestion & elimination etc......need I say more....it’s so good to take this on a daily basis for general well being....just like we brush our teeth daily to keep them clean & healthy the same way we should take at least a spoon of black seeds....you can get it in oil form which works just as well.



Honey - Subhamnallah what does the Quran tell us about this remedy. Allah SWT says:

'And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in (men's) habitations..... there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for mankind. Verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought'. (16:68-69)



Also The prophet PBUH said 'Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Qur'an is a remedy for all illness of the mind, therefore I recommend to you both remedies, the Qur'an and honey.' (Bukhari)

Honey is the natural nectar and concentrated sweetness of flowers converted by bees to a golden rich syrup. The sour of nectar the honey is made from determines its color and flavor, and the best is the light-colored variety of honey.

Honey contains 35% protein (one-half of all the amino acids), and is considered to be a complete food. It is highly concentrated source of essential nutrients, containing large amounts of carbohydrates (sugars), the B-complex vitamins, vitamins C, D, and E, and some minerals. It is used to promote energy and healing. It is a great immunity system builder & is a natural remedy for many ailments  such as sore throats, cuts & burns.....it is widely believed that Manuka honey from New Zealand is the preferred honey for wound dressing due to its strong antibacterial property.

It is also great for when you are feeling run down......again we should make this part of our daily diet due to its many healing properties & the biggest reason for having even a teaspoon daily is simply for the fact that Allah SWT has referred to honey as shifaa in the Gloriouis Quran.

Hijamah (Cupping) - Hijama (cupping) is one the strongest sunnahs of the Prophet but how many of us even think of it as a cure for our diseases? How many of us even know that something like hijama exists?

Hijama' in arabic is derived from 'hajm' which means 'sucking'. It is the process of applying cups to various points on the body by removing the air inside the cups to form a vacuum. This vacuum sucks out the diseased blood which is then poured into the cups by making small cuts to the skin and then disposed.

When performed properly, this is a safe process and there are no health risks in the process (unlike acupuncture, for example). The Prophet PBUH got hijama on his head, on his foot [Ibn Majah], on his neck [Abi Dawud], on his hip [Abi Dawud], etc.

Jaabir ibn Abdullah RA reported that the Prophet PBUH said, “Indeed in cupping there is a cure.” [Muslim ].

Cupping was recommended to our beloved Prophet PBUH even by the angels:-

Abdullah ibn Abbas RA reported that the Prophet PBUH said, “I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the night journey except that they all said to me: upon you is cupping, O Muhammad.” [ibn Maajah ].



Abdullah ibn Abbas RA reported that the Prophet PBUH said, “Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper, in drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire, but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from cauterization (branding with fire).” [Bukhaaree, ibn Maajah ].







Getting yourself cupped sounds painful but believe me its not at all like that….you may feel just a tingle or a slight prick….the advantages of having it done outweight the uneasiness that you feel. It surely helped me…..first just the feeling of knowing that I revived a sunnah made me feel great as the Prophet PBUH said “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward" Secondly health wise it did wonders for me!

So given hijama’s importance, its benefits & that it's  aproven sunnah of the Prophet PBUH we must revive this sunnah in our lives by finding practitioners of hijama and get it performed on us.

What the unlettered Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH) spoke about split of the Moon more than 14 centuries ago is being proved by modern scientists today.

In the early days of Islam the unbelievers of Makkah challenged Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to split the moon for them to accept His message. It was a full moon night.

So the Prophet (PBUH) prayed to Allah to show him this miracle. Answering this prayer the moon split-half was seen over Mount Saffa and the other half was seen over Mount Kaikaan.

The people said that the prophet has placed a spell and Abu Jahl said, “let us wait until the people of Albadiah (a tribe ) come, to find out whether they saw the moon split. If they said yes we accept as true and, if not , it was a trick of magic.

When the people of Albadiah came and confirmed that they saw the moon split the disbelievers said, “Oh, how powerful Mohammad’s magic is! Then Allah revealed the following verse in the Quran in Sura al Qamar:

The hour has come near and the moon has split, and when they see a sign, they turn and say ‘this is a continuous magic’ and they disbelieved and followed their desires…”

However centuries later today modern geologists conclude that the moon was once split and resealed. The rocks on the belt are a result of the impact during the time that the two halves of the moon recombined.

Dawood Musa, once the Chairman of the British Muslims Party and deeply concerned about learning Islam said, “While he was searching for a religion, a friend gave him a copy of the English translation of the Holy Quran where he came across Surat Al-Qamar and read – The hour has come and the moon has split”.

Looking at this he asked ‘the moon has split?!’ He was confused and stopped reading the Quran. He did not open the Holy Quran since then.

One day watching a BBC program he noticed the broadcaster talking with three American scientists blaming for spending billions of dollars on space projects when millions of people suffer from poverty.

Later in one of Dr. Zaghlool Al-Najaar’s seminars in London a paper presented by a British university pointed out that while scientists discussed the most expensive trip to the moon, at a cost of about 100 billion dollars, a broadcaster said ‘so to put the American flag on the moon you spent this much money?”

Answering this question the scientists involved explained that this large sum of money was spent to study the internal structure of the moon to see what similarities it has with the Earth. They said that they were surprised to find a ‘Belt of Rocks ’ that goes from the surface of the moon right to the inner depths. Being quite surprised, they gave this information to their geologists, who concluded that this couldn’t be unless the moon was once split and resealed. The rocks on the belt are a result of the impact during the time that the two halves of the moon recombined.

Watching this Dawood Mussa jumped off his seat screaming, “This is Muhammad’s miracle which occurred more than 1400 years ago, and now the Americans are spending billions of dollars to prove it.” He then said, once Surat Al-Qamar was a cause for him for disbelieving Islam. However this very same Surah in the Holy Quran has become the reason for his embracing Islam.

Whilst the moon brightens the earth with its celestial light, it affects the tides of the oceans, the taste of vegetation and the orbit of the earth. The moon has another purpose as well – a much loftier purpose – It is a means of determining time. The Holy Quran states: “They ask you about the new moons. Tell them that these are a means for people to determine the time and The Hajj.” (C2. V 189). He (Allah) has made the moon a celestial light… (c71. V16)

Amongst the signs of Allah’s existence is the moon.

(Worship none but) the One who (alone) has made the earth a furnished habitation for you, and (who alone has made) the heaven a (sheltering) edifice, and who (alone) has sent down from the sky water, whereby He brought forth with it the (varied) fruits of (the earth) as a provision for you. Therefore, you shall not set up rivals to God when you know (well that such deities cannot exist) 2:21-22.

In these two verses of the Qur’an, Allah Most High is directing mankind’s attention to the factors that sustain our entire existence.

Firstly, our attention is directed to Allah Himself. And we are reminded that He has created us. He is the One responsible for our very existence and those before us. In worshiping Him, we are reminded of His presence in our lives, an important cue that helps us do good deeds and avoid bad ones, even as our alarm clocks help us wake up to study for a test we cannot fail. Our attention is then shifted toward natural phenomena, such as the lands on which we walk, the sky which hovers above us, and the water and fruits we consume every day.

Interestingly, each is interrelated. The sky with its protective ozone layer provides just the right atmosphere necessary for plants on the ground to grow. It also houses rain clouds, from which water-the source of life-descends and allows human life to flourish. We cannot function without water and food, and water and food cannot exist in useful fashion without the earth to pool and root in, and without the sky’s protective canopy. And all cannot function together without Allah, the Creator of each and their integrative world.

The linkage between Allah, Most High, and the natural phenomena mentioned in the verse remains as crucial today as it ever has been in the course of human history. Humans, especially Muslims, must realize that the environment does not exist independently from the very mercy of our Creator. The sky and its ozone layer, which we continually desecrate with our super-efficient pollutants, find themselves under attack by the very humans they protect.

Our toxic waste, which we merrily dump into precious bodies of water, threatens water systems across the world with destruction. It’s as if the entire human race has revolted against the mercy of Allah and attacked the very things that sustain our existence.

Thinking Islamically about the environment means remembering Allah’s favor and mercy upon us. It means thinking about nature as an entity in need of care, and not one we can mechanically manipulate without considering the consequences of our actions. It means using another blessing of Allah, our intelligence, to come up with creative and effective solutions to improve the ways in which societies discard their toxic waste.

Courtesy Discover Islam

Allaah has made all living creatures out of water. People require water for almost everything; for agriculture, construction, transportation, and for cooling and heating. But not all water carries the same value and significance? Muslims refer to the water of Zamzam as something revered and unique. They crave this mysterious liquid and love to drink it whenever they can. And for those who managed to go to the Hajj, they return home carrying it for thousands of miles as a prized possession and to give as special gift to their friends and families.

So, what is so special about Zamzam water? In a word: Everything.

There is nothing ordinary about it. The miracle of how it came to being in the middle of the desert, its consistency throughout thousands of years, the beneficial qualities it has, the fact that it never dries up. This water is special.

The fact is, this small 5 ft. deep well is far away from any other source or body of water. It is self-replenishing. It is constantly replenishing itself in order to produce gallons upon gallons of water for consumption of thirsty pilgrims plus the additional amount that is bottled and also the amount that is taken as gifts distributed worldwide to millions. Zamzam water has scientifically been proven to contain healing qualities due to its higher content of Calcium and Magnesium Salts and also the natural fluorides that encompass a germicidal action.

It is also an established scientific fact that pools or water wells tend to grow vegetation such as algae—especially in warm climates. Amazingly this is not the case in the well of Zamzam. It has remained free from biological contaminants.

From the time that Hagar wandered aimlessly through the desert in search of sustenance for her son and herself; to the moment that Ismaa’eel may Allaah exalt his mention kicked his tiny feet on the sand and the well of Zamzam was born out of the great Mercy of Allaah, Muslims have been drinking from it. What is more fascinating is that it has never once dried up. To Muslims this blessed water is special in significance and history.

Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated that the Prophet said: “When Ibraaheem (Abraham) had differences with his wife, (because of her jealousy of Haajar, Ismaa’eel’s (Ishmael) mother), he took Ismaa’eel and his mother and went away. They had a water-skin with them containing some water, Ismaa’eel’s mother used to drink water from the water-skin so that her milk would increase for her child. When Ibraaheem reached Makkah, he made her sit under a tree and afterwards returned home. Ismaa’eel’s mother followed him, and when they reached Kada, she called him from behind, `O Ibraaheem! To whom are you leaving us?’ He replied, ‘(I am leaving you) to Allaah’s (Care).’ She said, ‘I am satisfied to be with Allaah.’ She returned to her place and started drinking water from the water-skin, and her milk increased for her child. When the water had all been used up, she said to herself, ‘I would better go and look so that I may see somebody.’ She ascended the hill of the Safaa and looked, hoping to see somebody, but in vain. When she came down to the valley, she ran till she reached the hill of the Marwah. She ran to and from (between the two hills) many times. Then she said to herself, ‘I would better go and see the state of the child,’ she went and found it in a state of one on the point of dying. She could not endure to watch her child dying and said (to herself), ‘If I go and look, I may find somebody.’ She went and ascended the hill of the Safaa and looked for a long while but could not see anybody. Thus she completed seven rounds (of running) between Safaa and Marwah. Again she said (to herself), ‘I would better go back and see how the child is doing.’ But all of a sudden she heard a voice, and she said to that strange voice, ‘Help us if you can offer any help.’ It was Gabriel (who had made the voice). Gabriel hit the earth with his heel like this (Ibn ‘Abbaas hit the earth with his heel to illustrate it), and so the water gushed out. Ismaa’eel’s mother was astonished and started digging … She started drinking from the water and her milk increased for her child….” [Al-Bukhaari]

In another narration of Ibn ‘Abbaas the Prophet said: “May Allaah be merciful to the mother of Ismaa’eel! If she had left the water of Zamzam (fountain) as it was, (without constructing a basin for keeping the water), it would have been a flowing stream. Jurhum (an ancient Arab tribe) came to Hagar and asked her, ‘May we settle at your dwelling?’ She said, ‘Yes, but you have no right to possess the water.’ They agreed.” [Al-Bukhaari]

The Archangel Gabriel unearthed the water of Zamzam such that the life of Ismaa’eel, the great grandfather of Prophet Muhammad maybe saved. Hagar, the wife of Ibraaheem the patriarch, restricted its flow and caused it to become a well. It is located next to the holiest of all holy places: the Ka’bah. Its water was the direct cause of Jurhum’s settlement in Makkah, and hence the start of the Makkan era in the human history. No other water can claim this honor.

Many generations passed in Makkah with Zamzam in complete oblivion, until Abdul-Muttalib (the paternal grandfather of the Prophet ) resurrected the dead well. Abdul-Muttalib himself was oblivious to Zamzam. With the approaching of the last divine message, a sequence of significant preludes was in order; the rebirth of Zamzam was one.

On their way, and while crossing the desert, the caravan ran out of water. The companions of Abdul-Muttalib all but gave up any hope of salvation. And when all seemed lost, water sprang out from the ever so small notch that Abdul-Muttalib’s camel made with its pad. Upon seeing this, the Makkans knew that He who saved Abdul-Muttalib from this eminent death on this very journey to settle the very question of Zamzam, had made Abdul-Muttalib the sole heir to this special water. The matter was settled and the family of the Prophet was ennobled with a mark of clearest distinction.

The well is located only few paces from the Ka’bah, behind the Maqaam (the stepping stone which Ibraaheem used while building the Ka’bah) to the left. Its location is now clearly marked on the marbles of the Mataaf (the nearly circular open space where the pilgrims circumambulate around the Ka’bah). The well itself was lowered below the ground to facilitate the modernization of water extraction from the well, and to remove all obstacles from the path of Tawaaf.

Zamzam’s attributes, however, account for most of its names. Some of these attributes were learned from teachings of the Prophet ; others were coined as descriptive names for physical and spiritual attributes of the water. These names include, for example, ‘a cure for illness’, and ‘a food for hunger’. It is also called ‘sufficient’, ‘beneficent’, and ‘pure and sweet’.

Ibn ‘Abbaas related that when a man drowned in Zamzam much of the water was removed out of the well in order to retrieve the body. After removing the body, Ibn ‘Abbaas told the man who was at the bottom of the well to collect water from the wellspring which flows from the direction of the Ka’bah. The source of this wellspring, said Ibn ‘Abbaas is from Paradise. ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Amr corroborates the same reference to the heavenly connection. This gives Zamzam yet a further distinction whereby this earthly stream is mixed with water from Paradise. This is a most generous gift of Allaah.

Zamzam is one of those signs. Chronologically it is the first, for when Ibraaheem, the Patriarch left his wife and infant son at the barren valley, following Allaah’s command, he made a humble request: “O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka’bah at Makkah) in order, O our Lord, that they may perform salaah (prayer). So fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allaah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.” [Quran 14:37]. Zamzam was the first among many fruits.

One of the greatest attributes of Zamzam is that it will never dry up. This is a gift from Allaah to Makkah and to its pilgrims. Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated that the Prophet said: “… May Allaah bestow his mercy upon her (Hagar, the mother of Ismaa’eel), had she let go (of the water of Zamzam) it would have become a spring (rather than a well) whose water shall never dry.” [Ahmad]

Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated that the Prophet said: “One difference between us (believers) and the hypocrites is that they could not drink much from Zamzam.” [Ibn Maajah]

Minerals Percentages Calcium I98 Magnesium 43.7 Chloride 335 Sulfur 37o Iron o.I5 Manganese o.I5 Copper o.I2

This is an Analysis of a study conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Water and Waste Water Treatment, the Western Province, Saudi Arabia (I4oo H.)

Zamzam water has also been treated by ultraviolet rays, and microbes have no place to survive in it, which means that Zamzam water preserves its taste and is not a congenial environment for bacteria.

According to various chemical analyses, dry weather make: Zamzam more saline through evaporation, which is, with Allaah’s might, good for the human body.

In conclusion, it becomes clear that we should believe in the Prophet’s miracles and that he as described by Allaah (what meant): “Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only Inspiration that is inspired.” [Quran 53: 3-41]

Prophet Muhammad said: “Zamzam water is a lavish meal and a great healer,” and, “Zamzam water is what one intends to drink it for.” Thus, it is a Sunnah to Drink Zamzam water, wash with it, and splash it on a sick person.

The Benefits of Drinking Zamzam Water

Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The people of Makkah used to be the fastest when it comes to sprinting, and the most powerful when it comes to wrestling, but as soon as they stopped drinking Zamzam water, they started to suffer from a disease in their legs.”

He also said that the Messenger of Allaah had said: “Zamzam water is what one intends to drink for. When one drinks it to be healed, Allaah heals him; when one drinks it be full, Allaah makes him full; and when one drinks it to quench his thirst, Allaah quenches it.” [Ahmad and Ibn Maajah]

There is no doubt that drinking Zamzam water is very beneficial. Thus, dear brothers and sisters! One should drink Zamzam water because it is the best water on earth. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet had said: “The best water on earth is Zamzam water”.

Ibn Khaytham said, “Ibn Wahb came to us suffering from an illness. We, then, paid him a visit and found out that he had Zamzam water. We said to him, ‘If you taste this water, you will find it crude (salty).’ Then, he said: ‘I’ll drink from it till I recover. I swear by the One Who owns my soul that it is in the Book of Allaah, ‘Zamzam neither drains nor can by vilified.’ It is in the Book of Allaah, `… It is the drink of the pious.’ It is in the Book of Allaah, ‘Priceless perfume.’ It is in the Book of Allaah, ‘It is a lavish meal and a great healer.’ I swear by the One Who owns my soul that if anyone drink his full from it, he recovers.’ [Sa'eed Ibn Mansoor and Al-Arzaqi]

All the above proves the authenticity of the narration: “Zamzam water is what one intends to drink for.” Additionally, many Islamic scholars drank it and experienced its dazzling effects. For instance, Imaam Abu Haneefah drank from Zamzam water in order to be a knowledgeable scholar and he became the best among the scholars in his era.

Al-Bakri said: “I tried (Zamzam water) and sensed the truth about what had been said about it, and when I drank it, I had no doubt about its amazing effect.”

It is also true that Imaam Shaafi’i felt its tangible results when he drank Zamzam water in order to be a knowledgeable person and a good arrow shooter, fitting nine out of ten targets at a time.

Al-Ajmi said that when drinking Zamzam water one should ask for forgiveness from sins, one may say: “O Allaah! It came to my knowledge that your Prophet said, ‘Zamzam water is what one intends to drink it for.’ O Allaah! I am drinking it to forgive me. O Allaah! Forgive me.” Besides, when someone drinks it to be healed, it is good to say: “O Allaah! I am drinking it to be healed. O Allaah! Heal me.”

The ruling of carrying Zamzam Water outside Makkah

Al-Imaam Al-Faarisi mentioned that it is permissible to carry Zamzam water outside Makkah according to the four juristic schools, and that it is even recommended by Imaam Maalik and Imaam Shaafi’ee .

‘Aa’ishah also mentioned that the Prophet, salallaahu alayhi wa sallam, and herself used to do that. [At-Tirmithi]. Abu Hasan said: “The Prophet wrote to Suhayl Ibn ‘Amr : ‘If you receive my message at night, do not wait till the morning, and if you receive it in the morning do not wait till night; just immediately send me some Zamzam water.’ Then, Suhail’s wife with the help of his grandfather, Ayoob Ibn ‘Abdullaah, and their maids carried Zamzam water at night…” [Abu Moosaa Al-Madeeni & Al-Azraqi]

Attaa stated that Ka’bah Al-Ahbaar used to carry it to ancient Syria.

‘Aa’ishah carried Zamzam in bottles for sick people. The Prophet also carried it in leather bags and used to pour it on the sick and give it to them as a drink. [Al-Faakihi]

Source: Al-Jumu’ah