The story of the origin of the Zamzam well that sprang from the spot where baby Ismail kicked the ground as Hagar searched for water, until that place developed into Mecca.
The Story of the Origin of the Zamzam Well According to Islamic History
After Prophet Ibrahim's departure, Hagar took care of her child alone. There was no longer anyone to share joys and sorrows with. She entrusted everything to Allah, confident that Allah would not forsake His suffering servant.
As usual, that day the sun was scorching as if it were burning the earth. Inside the tent the temperature was extremely hot. This caused baby Prophet Ismail to be unable to bear it. Eventually he cried bitterly. Hagar, with tender feelings, immediately nursed her child with full affection.
After Ismail was satisfied from nursing, the small child became quiet and fell asleep. The thirst that had passed made him sleep soundly. Now thirst attacked the mother. After laying her baby down, Hagar tried to find a source of water to quench her thirst.
She looked at a hill that was somewhat far from her tent. There appeared a green color like water. While running she headed toward that hill. But when she got there she found no water at all. Then Hagar turned around and her eyes fixed on another place that looked blue like water. She headed toward the place she saw, but what she found was not water. Only her vision was deceived by a mirage.
After searching for water here and there without finding any, Hagar finally returned to her camp. She found Prophet Ismail crying bitterly. Hagar quickly nursed him again but her milk was no longer as abundant as before. Nevertheless Prophet Ismail became quiet and fell into deep sleep again.
The Story of the Origin of the Zamzam Well According to Islamic History
After putting him to sleep again, Hagar tried to search for water again. As before she ran from one place to another. Until she ran back and forth seven times, while thirst gnawed at her throat. Finally she returned to her camp and found Prophet Ismail crying. She only prayed to Allah amidst his cries.
'O Allah, the All-Hearing and All-Knowing, help this weak servant of Yours. We cannot bear this heavy trial,' said Hagar while nursing her child. But milk no longer came out. Then she laid Ismail beside her and continued to pray. Ismail, still a baby, cried louder and kicked his feet against the ground.
Truly Allah hears and helps His servants who are in distress. By His power, the ground struck by the feet of Prophet Ismail suddenly produced clear and cool water. At that time Hagar did not yet know about the water source near her because she was so absorbed in prayer. After feeling her clothes get wet did she become aware. As soon as she saw water gushing from the ground where Ismail had kicked, she immediately prostrated.
The Story of the Origin of the Zamzam Well According to Islamic History
'Yes, Allah You have heard and helped us. All praise belongs to Allah, O Allah,' she said while raising her hands upward. Then she moved her hands to collect the overflowing water. Quickly she said:
'Zam-Zam,' which means gather! The water gathered so it no longer overflowed. Immediately she took it with her palms to pour it into her child's mouth. She herself drank it to her satisfaction.
The water that gushed out in the middle of the sandy desert never ceased, but after Hagar ordered the water to gather, then by Allah's power the water gathered. Until now that well still exists and is proof of Allah's power and greatness.
People call it by the name of the 'Zamzam' well.
The existence of a water well that flowed continuously without stopping made birds circle above Hagar's tent. More and more birds came. It was a sign for merchant caravans passing through the desert that if many birds circled a place, there must be a water source beneath it.
The Story of the Origin of the Zamzam Well According to Islamic History
Seeing this, merchant caravans flocked to that place. When they arrived they were shocked to find that the water source belonged to a woman with her baby.
The caravans that needed water asked permission to take it. Hagar gladly allowed the caravans to drink to their satisfaction.
'Oh, why are you in the middle of this hot and desolate desert alone?' they asked as they rested.
'I am the wife of a messenger of Allah named Ibrahim. And this is a trial from Allah. No matter how hard it is, we will accept it with an open heart. For this trial is a blessing for us,' answered Hagar truthfully. Because the caravans felt sorry seeing the baby in her arms, they gave her bread in return for being allowed to take her water.
'My husband is currently away in the land of Sham to visit his first wife. And I am his second wife,' said Hagar as she accepted the bread.
The Story of the Origin of the Zamzam Well According to Islamic History
Because they felt sorry seeing Hagar alone with her baby, they finally set up their tents there. Perhaps also because there was a water source in that place, which was none other than the Zamzam well.
As time went on, more and more tents were set up. In a relatively short time that place had transformed into a settlement.
That settlement was named Mecca. Because the settlement had a water source, it became the main route for merchant caravans. Although the caravans had made houses in that small settlement, they continued their activities as merchants.
As time progressed, Ismail also grew up. The people of the settlement chose him to be their leader. This was because of the merit of his mother who had allowed them to drink water and live in that area.
Although Ismail was still young, he had a character and personality that could serve as an example to his people. Everything that Prophet Ismail said was always obeyed.
The Story of the Origin of the Zamzam Well According to Islamic History
After staying long in the land of Sham, Prophet Ibrahim finally returned to visit his wife and son whom he had left long ago in the midst of the harsh desert. After seeking permission from Hagar, he left the land of Sham. Ibrahim walked for days on the hot sand. But this did not make him despair. For he imagined that Ismail had grown up.
Prophet Ibrahim was shocked when he entered that remote settlement. He remembered that he had once left a woman and her child there. In his heart he wondered that that area was where Prophet Ismail and Hagar had been left, so why had it become such a busy settlement.
With courage Prophet Ibrahim entered the settlement and asked one of the residents he met.
'O my brother, I want to ask you something, what is the name of this settlement?' asked Prophet Ibrahim of the resident. The man answered: 'This settlement is called Mecca. And you are surely not a resident here?' said the man to Ibrahim.
'Is there anything I can help with?' said the man, adding and offering his services. Prophet Ibrahim pondered for a moment. Then he said: 'I am from the far land of Sham. And I have come here to search for my wife and son. I left them several years ago. At that time it was still desolate and only they were in the middle of this desert. According to my intuition, this is where I left them,' said Prophet Ibrahim, explaining and mentioning the name of his child and wife.
The man was very shocked when he heard the names of Prophet Ibrahim's child and wife. Then he said: 'They are a model for us. They are the ones who established this settlement. Come, let me show you their house!' said the man and took Prophet Ibrahim to Hagar's house.
The Story of the Origin of the Zamzam Well According to Islamic History
That touching reunion finally happened. Prophet Ibrahim was stunned when he saw his son. As for Ismail, he only stood quietly looking at Prophet Ibrahim's face. All he had heard about his father was only from his mother's stories. Now they were reunited.
'O Ismail my son, is it really you, Ismail, whom I left with your mother long ago?' said Prophet Ibrahim to his son. Then Prophet Ismail looked at his mother as if asking whether the one before him was really his father. His mother, knowing from the look in Prophet Ismail's eyes, nodded her head. Immediately Ismail rushed to his father and embraced him.
'Ismail, forgive your father for leaving you for so long. This was not my will, but I was revealed by Allah to spread my message in the land of Sham,' said Prophet Ibrahim. Prophet Ismail, though still young, thought maturely. He understood his father's situation.
The Story of the Origin of the Zamzam Well According to Islamic History
The prayer of Prophet Ibrahim when he left his wife and son was answered by Allah. For in reality now that desolate and fearful desert had become a busy settlement. There many residents kept livestock from camels to goats.
As for the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim at that time has been preserved in the Qur'an, surah Ibrahim verses 37 to 38:
'O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Thy Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed them with fruits: so that they may give thanks. O our Lord! Thou knowest indeed all that we conceal and all that we reveal: for nothing whatsoever is hidden from Allah, whether on earth or in heaven.' (Ibrahim 37-38)
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