Disclaimer: This article is not written to mock, attack, or demean the Islamic faith or any person. Its sole purpose is to present a biblical perspective and provide sound theological understanding of the Zamzam Well and related beliefs, especially for Christians seeking clarity on this topic.
The Zamzam Well is located within the Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, just about 20 meters east of the Kaaba’s Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad).
According to Islamic tradition, the well miraculously sprang up when Hagar (Hājar)—the Egyptian servant of Sarah—was left in the desert by Ibrahim (Abraham) with her son Ismail (Ishmael). In desperation, Hagar ran between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times looking for water. On her seventh run, the angel Jibril (Gabriel) is said to have struck the ground with his heel or wing, causing water to burst forth from the earth.
She reportedly exclaimed “Zamzam!”, meaning “Stop! Stop!”—trying to contain the flow of the water.
Islamic traditions claim the well later dried up but was rediscovered in the 6th century by Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims believe the water has healing powers and spiritual significance.
One narration attributed to Ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, states:
“Zamzam water is for whatever purpose it is drunk for. If one drinks it for healing, God will heal them. If for hunger, God will satisfy them. If for thirst, God will quench them.”
The biblical account of Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness is found in Genesis 21, not in Mecca, but in the wilderness of Beersheba and later Paran, traditionally understood to be in the Sinai Peninsula.
Let’s examine the Scriptural account using the English Standard Version (ESV):
9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased… for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.”
14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water… 15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him… for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” 17 And God heard the voice of the boy… 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.
“…‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise…”
According to Genesis 21:21, Ishmael settled in Paran, which is associated with the Sinai region, not modern-day Mecca.
Genesis 21:21 (ESV): “He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.”
In certain cases, God used water as a medium for miracles, but never instructed people to venerate the water itself.
2 Kings 5:14 (ESV): “So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan… and his flesh was restored…”
Using objects like water or oil apart from God’s instruction can become a form of idolatry or superstition.
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit… according to human tradition…”
No. Based on the biblical account, the Zamzam well in Mecca:
Using it with spiritual intent may expose someone to false doctrines or spiritual deception, especially if it replaces or competes with faith in Jesus Christ.
The issue is not limited to Zamzam water. Even in Christian settings, some churches sell “anointing water” or “holy water”, claiming it brings healing or breakthroughs.
Be warned:
Acts 8:20 (ESV): “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!”
Only Jesus Christ offers true, living water for the soul.
John 4:13–14 (ESV): “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever.”
If not, consider this:
John 14:6 (ESV): “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Only Jesus can save, heal, and lead us into eternal life—not any object, person, or ritual.
May God bless you. Please share this message with others who need to know truth
Print this post
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Δ