Why zam zam water drink by standing?
Facing the Qibla whilst drinking Zamzam water
Classical scholars and jurists (fuqaha) have listed, in their respective works, many etiquettes (adaab) of drinking Zamzam water – of which facing the Qibla is one.
The proof for this is what has been related by Abdur-Rahman ibn Abi Mulayka that, “A man came to Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him); so he asked the man, ‘Where are you coming from?’ The man replied, ‘I drank from Zamzam.’ Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘Did you drink from it as you are supposed to?’ He replied, ‘O Ibn Abbas, how am I supposed to drink it?’ Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘When you drink Zamzam water, face the Qibla, utter the name of Allah, drink it in three breaths, and drink as much as you like. When you finish drinking, praise Allah; for the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, ‘The difference between us and the hypocrites is that they do not drink the Zamzam water to their fill.’” (Sunan al-Darqutni 2/288 and Sunan Ibn Majah no: 3061. Al-Busiri said in his Zawa’id that its chain is Sahih)
Accordingly, the jurists of the various Schools of Islamic law state that it is ‘recommended’ to face the Qibla whilst drinking Zamzam water. (Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar 2/524; Nawawi, Al-Majmu 8/250; and Bahuti, Sharh Muntaha ‘l-Iradat 2/65)
As such, it is a recommended practice and from the etiquette of drinking Zamzam that one faces the Qibla – as encouraged by the great Companion Sayyiduna AbdAllah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him). However, it is not necessary; and thus not sinful or even disliked to drink it without facing the Qibla. At times, the practice of facing the Qibla is exaggerated to the point that one who does not face it is looked down upon; this must be avoided. People have a choice in facing the Qibla or otherwise when drinking the blessed water of Zamzam.
Standing up or being seated whilst drinking Zamzam
Classical scholars and jurists (fuqaha) have differed over whether one should drink Zamzam water standing up or seated.
a) According to some scholars, it is ‘recommended’ to stand and drink Zamzam. This was chosen by a group of Hanafi scholars; such as Mulla Ali al-Qari, Imam al-Lakhnawi, and Imam Ibn Abidin who cited ‘standing’ as one of the etiquettes (adaab) of drinking Zamzam. (See: Ali al-Qari, Jam’ al-Wasa’il; Lakhnawi, Umdat al-Ri’aya 1/267; and Radd al-Muhtar 2/524)
Their evidences are the following Hadiths:
Sayyiduna AbdAllah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) says, “I served Zamzam water to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), and he drank from it whilst standing.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1528 and Sahih Muslim 2027)
Sayyiduna AbdAllah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) drank Zamzam water from a bucket whilst he was standing. (Sahih Muslim 2027)
The great Hadith scholar and Hanafi jurist, Imam Mulla Ali al-Qari’ (Allah have mercy on him) explains that the general practice of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) was to drink whilst being seated, and this is the real Sunna. However, Zamzam (as well as leftover water after performing ablution) is to be exempted from this in that one should stand and drink. The reason is that it is encouraged to drink Zamzam as much as possible to one’s fill, and this is better achieved in a standing position. (Jam’ al-Wasa’il fi sharh al-Shama’il 1/308)
b) According to many Shafi’i and other jurists, it is a Sunna to be seated whilst drinking Zamzam water, and mildly disliked (makruh tanzih) to stand. This is due to the general prohibition in various Hadiths of drinking water whilst standing up – which, according to them, includes Zamzam water. For example:
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) disapproved the drinking of water while standing. (Sahih Muslim 2024)
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “None of you should drink while standing; and if anyone forgets, he must vomit.” (Sahih Muslim 2026)
The great Hadith scholar and Shafi’i jurist, Imam Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) explains in his Commentary that the prohibition in the above hadiths refers to this practice being mildly disliked (makruh tanzih), and not unlawful (haram). This is because it is established that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) drank whilst standing up. He (Allah Allah bless him & give him peace) would occasionally carry out certain actions in order to show their permissibility – despite his regular practice being to the contrary. As such; his regular practice was to drink water while being seated, but on a few rare occasions he stood up and drank to show that it was not unlawful to do so. (Nawawi, Al-Minhaj sharh Sahih Muslim p: 1532)
Located within the boundaries of Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the well of Zamzam is said to have the purest water in the world. It’s situated 20 metres east of the Holy Kaaba. Considered a living miracle, the well of Zamzam has provided a continuous water supply for more than 4000 years.
Even today, the well of Zamzam satisfies the thirst of millions of pilgrims. However, there are specific etiquettes that one must follow when drinking Zamzam water. Keep reading to learn the Sunnah way of how to drink Zamzam water.
According to Islamic history, Zamzam was discovered by the second wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) Hajra (RA) and her infant son, Prophet Ismail (AS). It was a miracle from Allah SWT when Hajra (RA) ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa in search of water for her son.
It is believed that by the end of Hajra’s (RA) seventh round, water miraculously sprouted from underground. The water kept flowing, until Hajra (RA) said, “Zam Zam,” (meaning “stop flowing”) to it, hence the name.
Drinking Zamzam water is considered mustahab (recommended) in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has instructed his Ummah to drink the water of Zamzam, especially when going for Hajj or Umrah.
Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once said: “The water of Zamzam is good for whatever one intends (while drinking it). If you drink it seeking health, Allah SWT will give you healing. If you drink it to satisfy your hunger, Allah SWT will satisfy your hunger. If you drink it to quench your thirst, Allah SWT will quench your thirst. Zamzam is a well dug by the Angel Jibreel (AS) by which Allah SWT quenched the thirst of Ismail.”
“Zamzam will benefit for the purpose of what is intended while drinking it.” (Musnad Aḥmad, Ibn Mājah)
“The best water on the face of the earth is Zamzam, it serves as nourishment and cure.” (Ṭabrani)
“Zamzam is food for the one who seeks food and it is the cure for illnesses.” (Sahih)
Zamzam is believed to be the purest form of water on Earth. Therefore, there are special etiquettes that one must follow when drinking the holy water, following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Ibn Majah (RA) reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when asked about the right way to drink Zamzam water said, “When you drink from Zamzam, turn to face the qiblah and mention the name of Allah SWT, drink three draughts and drink your fill of it. When you have finished, then praise Allah SWT.”
The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, “The sign between us and the hypocrites is that they do not drink their fill from Zamzam.” (Ibn Majah)
Ibn Majah (RA) reported that the Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT instructed the Muslim Ummah to: “Recite Bism Allāh (In the name of God) before drinking.”
According to Islamic history, Ibn Abbas (RA) used to recite the following dua while drinking Zamzam water: Allaahumma inni as’aluka `ilman naifi`aaa, wa rizqaw wasi`aaa, wa shifa’am min kulli da’i
“O Allah! I ask you for beneficial knowledge, and plentiful sustenance and cure from every illness.”
Therefore, in light of the aforementioned hadiths, if you want to make dua while drinking Zamzam water, start by reciting “Bismillah,” followed by making a strong intention of whatever you wish, and drink the Zamzam water in three gulps while standing and facing the Qiblah (Holy Kaaba).
Also once you have finished the glass of water, “Recite Alḥamdulillāh (All praise is for God) after drinking.” (Ibn Majah)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The water of Zamzam is for whatever purpose it is drunk for.” (Hisnul Hasin, Ibn Majah, 2/1018)
Al-Dar Qutni reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised Muslims to: “Recite supplications.”
Zamzam water isn’t ordinary water. It is believed that Zamzam can provide healing to those who seek to heal; it can quench the thirst of those who are thirsty and can even satisfy hunger of those who are starving.
Ibn Abbas (RA) said that a person should drink Zamzam water while facing the Qiblah. (Sunan Ibn Majah 3061)
Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that: “I served Zamzam water to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and he drank it while standing.” (Sunan an-Nasai, 2965)
Drinking Zamzam water by standing up is considered far more superior than drinking it while sitting down. The debate on this topic is so intense that some Islamic scholars even forbid Muslims from drinking Zamzam water whilst sitting.
The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, “The sign (that differentiates) between us and the hypocrites is that they do not drink Zamzam till they are full.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3061)
Therefore, it is advised that a person should drink as much Zamzam water as they can and then be grateful to Allah SWT for blessing them with the opportunity of drinking the holy water.
In another narration, Ibn Abbas (RA) advised Muslims to drink Zamzam water in three gulps as it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). (Sunan Ibn Majah, 3061)
Imaam Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported: “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to drink in three sips, breathing outside the container.”
Ibn Qataadah (RA) also narrated that: “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) forbade breathing into the container when drinking.”
Therefore, a person should make sure that they drink Zamzam water in three gulps.
According to Islamic scholars, it is a Sunnah to sprinkle some drops of Zamzam water over your chest, head, and face.
Ibn e Abbas (RA) said that, “O Allah SWT, I ask you for beneficial knowledge, healing from every disease and copious provision”. Al-Daynoori narrated that al-Humaydi said, “We were with Sufyaan ibn Uyaynah and he told us the hadith about the Zamzam water being drunk for whatever purpose it is drunk for. One man got up and left then he came back and said, ‘O Abu Muhammad is the hadith that you told us saheeh?’ He said, ‘Yes!’ Then the man said, ‘Just now I drank a bucket of Zamzam water so that you would tell me a hundred hadiths.’ Abu Sufyaan said to the man, ‘Sit down,’ when he sat down he told him one hundred hadiths.”
Zamzam is one of the holiest waters in the world. Drinking Zamzam has several health benefits which have been proved medically as well. According to Dr. Knut Pfeiffer, a German scientist, drinking Zamzam water enhances energy in human cells. Moreover, Zamzam water is abundant in Magnesium and Calcium, giving it excellent healing properties. Zamzam water also reduces heartburn and acidity, helps one lose weight, and even makes your skin glow.
There is no mention of Zamzam water in the Holy Quran. The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT has on several occasions highlighted the significance of drinking water from the miraculous well. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The best water on the face of the earth is Zamzam water. In it is food for nourishment and healing for illness.” (al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 11011)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has on several occasions referred to Zamzam as the purest form of water on Earth. Ironically, today it has been proven by medical professionals that Zamzam water indeed has the highest purity. It contains 366mg/l of bicarbonates. According to Dr. Yahya Koshak, Zamzam water is free from all kinds of bacteria and germs.
Yes, it is permissible for women to drink Zamzam water during their period. Not only this, but women can even wash their face with it.
When a person observes a fast, they abstain from drinking and eating anything from sunrise till sunset. This includes Zamzam water. Therefore, the answer to the question is “No.” You are not allowed to drink Zamzam water while fasting. Doing so will break your fast. However, you can break your fast while drinking Zamzam water.
