The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is consumed for

والصَّلَاةُ والسَّلاَمُ عَلَى سَيّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَشْرَفِ اْلمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ الطَّيّبِيْنَ الطَّاهِرِيْن

Zamzam is noble and magnificent well. It is the most esteemed well in the world, the first of the blessings granted through the supplication of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). It is the source of the life and prosperity of Mecca and one of the greatest blessings renowned at the Sacred House. It is the finest water on the face of the earth, emerging from the holiest place on earth. The heart of the Chosen One ﷺ was washed with it on more than one occasion, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ blessed it with his noble saliva. It is sustenance that satisfies and a remedy for every ailment. It alleviates headaches, and gazing upon it enhances vision. It is the drink of the righteous, and it also strengthens the body.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

"خيرُ ماءٍ على وجهِ الأرضِ ماءُ زمزمَ فيه طعامُ الطُّعمِ[1] وشفاءُ السُّقمِ[2]"

"The finest water on the face of the earth is Zamzam water. It provides sustenance that satisfies and is a remedy for ailments."

^A'ishah said:

"كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم “يحمل ماء زمزم في الأَدَاوى[3] والقِرب، وكان يصب على المرضى ويُسْقِيهم"

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would carry Zamzam water in waterskins and pouches, and he would pour it over the sick and give it to them to drink."

(Sahih Al-Bukhariyy; Sunan At-Tirmidhiyy)

Ibnu ^Abbas narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"الحُمَّى من جهنم فَأَبْرِدُوها بماء زمزم"

"Fever is from Hell, so cool it with Zamzam water."

Narrated by ‘Ahmad, Ibnu ‘Abi Shaybah, and Ibnu Hibban. The narration in Al-Bukhariyy underscores the reporter's uncertainty regarding whether the reference pertains to water in general or specifically to Zamzam water.

Etiquette and Supplication for Drinking Zamzam Water

It is recommended to drink Zamzam water and to do so abundantly. If possible, one should draw the water themselves, preferably from the side near the Black Stone. The water should be taken with the right hand, and then one should face the Qibla. Upon drinking, one should say:

"اللهم إنه بلغني عن نبيك صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: "ماء زمزم لما شُرِب له" اللهم إني أشربه لكذا"

"O Allah, I have heard from Your Prophet ﷺ that he said: 'The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is consumed for. O Allah, I am drinking it for [state your intention].’"

They should then specify their need. Additionally, it is recommended to say:

"بسم الله والحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله"

"I start with the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Allah raise the rank of the Messenger of Allah and protect his nation from what he disliked for them."

Zamzam is water that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ blessed. Zamzam is water upon which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ bestowed his noble saliva. Ibn Abbas reported: "The Prophet ﷺ came to Zamzam, and we drew a pail for him. He drank from it, then he ﷺ gently allowed his saliva to fall into the water. We then poured it back into Zamzam. He ﷺ said:

“لولا أن تُغْلَبوا عليها لنزعت بيدي“.

“Were it not for the fear for you, I would have drawn it with my own hand.”

From this, we understand that the blessing of his noble saliva ﷺ settled upon the blessing of Zamzam, thereby amplifying its blessing, sweetness, healing, light, and purification.

May Zamzam water, which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ blessed with his noble saliva, be a source of rejoicing. Let it be approached in order to seek blessings through drinking, performing ablution, and washing with it.

How merciful he was to his ummah, and how deeply compassionate he was towards them! He did not wish for his ummah, from his time until the Day of Judgment, to be deprived of the grace of his leftover water or the blessings of his purification.

[1] Ṭa^amu t-tu^m (طعام الطعم) meaning a person is nourished from its water as they are nourished from food.

[2] Shifaʾu s-suqm (وشفاء السقم) meaning it removes illness and heals the affliction.

[3] Al-Adāwa is the plural of al-idāwah, which refers to a small container, made of leather.