As-salamu’ Alaykum!
May the peace of Allah be upon you!
The Honoured Qur’an tells us something truly wonderful: “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Guardian…to him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth.” Sura 39:62-63. And He has used these keys to unlock treasures to us...undeserving as we are! These treasures and gifts are too numerous to list. But surely one of the greatest treasures Allah has unlocked to each one of us is the gift of water! Did you know that 60% of the adult body is made of water, and this water is needed for every cell within us to function properly? In fact, if we did not drink water, we would be dead within a few days. We find that water is a very important theme in the Honoured Qur’an, for it is mentioned more than 60 times! Should we not take notice of this precious gift? The Honoured Qur’an clearly states that water is not something we have invented, but that it is sent from our compassionate Creator’s hand: “See ye the water which ye drink? Do ye bring it down in rain from the cloud, or do We?” Sura 56:69. Water comes to us in many forms…rivers, rains, fog, morning dew, plus beautiful mountain streams and in springs welling up from the depths of the earth. It’s all just amazing!
All pilgrims going on Hajj to Mecca will surely be familiar with the waters of Zamzam! This water is well known for its natural goodness, sweetness, nutrition, and medical benefits. So much so, that each pilgrim will try to drink from Mecca’s well of Zamzam, and if possible bring home bottles of this water to give as gifts to family and loved ones. Another name given to Zamzam water is ‘Ash-Shabba’ah’, which means ‘that which satisfies’. Water is precious. And Zamzam water is rich in its history. According to Islamic tradition, this water spring was provided by Allah when Abraham’s (Ibrahim’s) son Ishmael (Ismail) was left with his mother Hagar (Hajar) in the desert, where he was thirsty and kept crying. Allah is said to have sent forth streams of water from the earth to quench Ishmael’s thirst.
In the Bible scriptures, the books of Moses (Musa) are called the Taurat, there one reads how Hagar and Ishmael were driven out of Abraham’s home into the desert, and the water they carried with them ran dry. She sees that her son is going to die from thirst…In desperation Hagar cries out. We read that Allah (God) hears, and the Angel of Allah says: “Fear not Hagar, for God has heard the voice of the lad [Ishmael]…arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand, for I will make him a great nation.” And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water, and she went and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.” Taurat Genesis 21:17-19. We learn several things from this true account. First, we see how Bible prophecy always comes true. Allah had promised that the descendants of Ishmael would become a great nation. Do we not see that proof today? Muslims today are the physical and spiritual descendants of Ishmael, and count for almost a quarter of earth’s population! Incredible! Secondly we are told that God gave the name of Ishmael before he was born, his name means; “God hears.” Genesis 16:10-11. That is so very meaningful. Thirdly we also learn how Allah hears the cry of his people, and supplies life giving water! Ash-Shabba’ah...that which satisfies!
Are you thirsty dear reader? Not just for natural water, but thirsty to have purpose in your life, thirsty to know the closeness of Allah? Are you thirsty for a change of heart? In the Zaboor, the Psalms of David (Daud), we read: “As the deer pants for water, so my soul pants after you, O God. My soul thirsts for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2. Truly, each one of us longs for ‘Ash-Shabba’ah’, that which satisfies.
Is there spiritual Zamzam available to us today? Yes! In the Honoured Qur’an we are told about Isa-al-Masih. Allah describes Him as “a sign to mankind and a mercy from us.” Sura 19:21. Just as Allah’s mercy was poured out to Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness in the form of a well of life-giving water, so Prophet Isa (Jesus) is appointed as a mercy to each one of us to dispense life-giving water. In the Injeel, Jesus (His peace and blessings be upon us) said: “If any man thirst, let him come unto ME and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall come living water.” Injeel John 7:37-38. Jesus also said: “Whoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Injeel John 4:14.
The Zamzam water from Mecca is precious. But there is a spiritual Zamzam that Allah can give you right now. Will you turn your heart to heaven, and ask for the Zamzam that Allah through Jesus wishes to pour into your life? The water of forgiveness, the water of cleansing, the water that satisfies...the water that will bring you eternal life!
Some Islamic traditions teach that a few drops of Zamzam water can bring purification and blessing to contaminated water. Do you feel like your heart is unclean? Is it contaminated with lust...pride…the evil eye? Are you dishonouring the pure Name of Allah in your thoughts and actions? Have you brought shame upon your family? Fear not! Despair not! Call out today to receive the cleansing Zamzam from heaven! Jesus (Isa) wants to pour upon you not just a few drops...but a fountain of cleansing water. Call on Him now! This Zamzam is sweet and pure...and cleanses for all eternity. Will you receive it?
“ And there shall be a fountain opened...for sin and for uncleanness.” Taurat Zechariah 13:1
“ Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Zaboor Psalm 51:2
Are you thirsty for purity in heart and life? Say “Yes” to heaven’s gift. The One who brought the water of life to Ishmael’s physical thirst, will surely bring satisfaction to your inward thirst. Ameen.