Q 2: What is the ruling on certain people reciting Qur’an over Zamzam Water (well that sprung up under the Prophet Isma‘il when he was a baby, near the Ka‘bah), then giving it to someone to drink in order to be granted specific wishes or for healing?

A: It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) drank from Zamzam Water, used to carry it with him, and encouraged people to drink it saying: Zamzam Water is for whatever it is drunk for. On the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to the drinking place and asked for water. Al-‘Abbas said, ‘O Fadl! Go to your mother and bring water from her to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).’ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, ‘Give me water to drink.’ Al-‘Abbas said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! People put their hands in it.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) again said, ‘Give me water to drink.’ So, he (peace be upon him) drank from that water and then went to Zamzam Well and there the people were busy providing and drawing water (from the well). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to them, ‘Carry on! You are doing a good deed.’ Then, he (peace be upon him) said, ‘Were I not afraid that other people would compete with you (in drawing water from Zamzam), I would certainly come down to put the rope over this (i.e. his shoulder to draw water).’ On saying that the Prophet (peace be upon him) pointed to his shoulder. (Related by Al-Bukhari) It is also narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Zamzam Water is for whatever it is drunk for. If you drink it for cure, Allah shall cure you; if you drink it for hunger, Allah shall satisfy your hunger; if you drink it for thirst, Allah shall quench your thirst. It is the strong strike of Jibril (Gabriel) and the drink of Isma‘il (Ishmael). (Related by Al-Daraqutny and Al-Hakim) Similarly, it is reported that `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to carry Zamzam Water with her (from Makkah) and said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to carry it. (Related by Al-Tirmidhy) (Part No. 1; Page No. 310) There are other Hadiths reported on the excellence and characteristics of Zamzam Water.Although some of these Hadiths are criticized in respect of authenticity, some scholars ranked them as Sahih (authentic). Moreover, the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) acted upon them and people follow them until today. In support of this view, Imam Muslim related in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said concerning Zamzam Water: It is blessed; it is a food that nourishes. Abu Dawud reported it through an authentic Isnad (chain of narrators) with the following addition: It is a cure for illnesses. As to reciting Qur’an over Zamzam Water, there are no authentic reports that prove that the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited Qur’an over it and then gave it to any of his Sahabah to drink or rub therewith for fulfilling a wish or for treatment and recovery. The Prophet (peace be upon him) had great blessings and a noble rank and was keen to bring good to his followers. Moreover, he (peace be upon him) went to Zamzam Well many times before Hijrah (the Prophet’s migration to Madinah) and during his ‘Umrahs and Hajj to the Sacred House after Hijrah, but it has not been authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) advised any of his Sahabah to recite over Zamzam Water. Had reciting over Zamzam Water been permissible, it would have been obligatory for him to do it, tell Muslims about it, and clarify to them its benefit. There was no good but he (peace be upon him) showed to the Muslims nor evil but he warned them against. However, there is no objection to reciting over Zamzam seeking cure just as there is no objection to reciting over any other water. Rather, Zamzam Water should be given priority over normal water as it is a source of blessings and healing according to the cited Hadiths.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.