What's cooled, refreshing and will quench your thirst in the hot, Arabian desert? If you answered the name of your favorite soft drink you're wrong.

Zamzam is the name of the well that provides the water to billions of people, who have thirstily drunk from throughout history, especially during the Hajj pilgrimage.

It is linked to some of the most important personalities in world history; the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail A.S. and Muhammed S.A.W., as well as Ismail mother Hajira A.S.

The Zamzam well is located in Makkah, which is the heart of the Hajj pilgrimage. Standing only a few meters east of the Kabaah, the well is 35 metres deep and topped by an elegant dome.

   
* One of the miracles of Zamzam water is its ability to satisfy both thirst and hunger.
   
* Nabi Muhammad S.A.W said: the best water on the face of the earth is the water of Zamzam; it is a kind of food and a healing from sickness.
   
* More recently, in the last few decades, scientists have collected samples of Zamzam water and they have found certain peculiarities that make water healthier, like a higher level of calcium.
   
* Zamzam is considered to help students in the correct pronunciation of words.
   
* According to the Tradition narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah al Ansari: "with whatever intention one can drink it his wish fulfills". "It is a cure for a numerous diseases by the order of Allah.
   
* So you should have the intention of what you want to gain by drinking this water".

* If applied to the eyes it will brighten the eyesight.

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 S.A.W.miracles and that he Muhammed S.A.W. 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 S.A.W 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 R.A 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 S.A.W. 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 S.A.W. had said: "The best water on earth is Zamzam water".

Ibn Khaytham R.A. said, "Ibn Wahb R.A 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 R.A. drank from Zamzam water in order to be a knowledgeable scholar and he became the best among the scholars in his era.

Al-Bakri R.A. 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 R.A. 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 R.A. 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 S.A.W. 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."

'Aa'ishah R.A. also mentioned that the Prophet, salallaahu alayhi wa sallam, and herself used to do that. [At-Tirmithi]. Abu Hasan R.A. said: "The Prophet S.A.W. wrote to Suhayl Ibn 'Amr R.A.: '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 R.A. stated that Ka'bah Al-Ahbaar used to carry it to ancient Syria.

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