Chapter on What has been narrated about the digging of Zamzam, in an Abbreviated Way

We were informed by Muhammad bin Abdullah the Hafiz, who said: Abu Al-Abbas, Muhammad bin Ya'qub told us, who said: Ahmad bin Abd Al-Jabbar told us, who said: Yunus bin Bukayr told us, from Ibn Ishaq, who said:

Yazid bin Abi Habib the Egyptian told me, from Marthad bin Abdullah the Yemenite, from Abdullah bin Zureir Al-Ghafiqi, who said: I heard Ali bin Abi Talib - May Allah be pleased with him - say while he was narrating the story of Zamzam: while Abdul Muttalib was sleeping in Al-Hijr, he was approached and he was told: "Dig Barrah." He asked: "What is Barrah?" Then it left him, until the next day he slept in the same place, and he was approached again, and he was told: "Dig Al-Madnuna." He asked: "What is Al-Madnuna?" Then it left him, until the next day he returned and slept in the same place, and he was approached again and he was told to "Dig Tayba." And he asked: "What is Tayba ?" Then it left him, and when the next day came, he went back, and he slept in his bed,[111] came, and was told.

[111] The word (Hazar) is missing from (H). [112] in (H): "He said". [113] in (H): "He returned with him". [114] in some narrations: "Gazelle". The Ways of Passion and Guidance (1: 217).

Miracle of the Water Spring

He was upon his she-camel when suddenly a spring of fresh water burst forth from under its feet. His companions were surprised and they drank, gave water to others, and filled their vessels. Then they called to their friends saying, "Come to the water, Allah the Exalted has provided us." So they came, filled their vessels and drank. Then they said, "O Abd al-Muttalib, by Allah, you are blessed. Indeed, the One who provided you this water in this desert is the same One who provided you Zamzam. Go ahead for it is yours, and we shall not dispute you."

The Golden Gazelles

Reports as Ibn Ishaq have it, they departed and Abdu al-Muttalib proceeded to dig. As he dug, he found two golden gazelles, which were the same ones that had been buried there when they were ousted from Mecca. This was the well of Ismail, son of Abraham, peace be upon them, whom Allah had provided with water after he was thirsty.

The succession of Custodian of Kaabah

When Ismail had died - peace be upon him - Ismail’s son Nabit succeeded him as the custodian of Kaaba by the will of Allah. Then Mudad bin Amr al-Jurhumi took over, along with the sons of Ismail, the sons of Nābit, with their grandfather Mudad, and their Jurhumite uncles. Allah scattered the descendants of Ismail in Mecca. Jurhum, the custodians of the Kaaba and the rulers in Mecca, were not disputed by Ismail's descendants because of their relationships and proximity. They respectfully maintained the sanctity of the land to prevent it from fights or disputes.

Oppression by Jurhum

When Jurhum started to oppress in Mecca and desecrated its sanctity, they wronged those who were not from Mecca, and misappropriated the property of Kaaba that was not theirs. When Bakr bin Manat of Kinana and Ghabshan of Khuza‘a, noticed this, they gathered an army to fight them and evict them from Mecca. They publicly warned them of an impending war. There was a fight, and Bakr and Ghabshan overpowered Jurhum and evicted them. In Jahiliyya (pre-Islamic era), Mecca never tolerated oppression. Anyone who oppressed in Mecca would be ejected, and anyone who wanted to claim authority while violating its sanctity would face his downfall.

Hiding of the Kaaba’s Gazelles

Amr bin Al-Harith bin Madad fled with the two gazelles of the Kaaba and the Black Stone. He buried the gazelles in Zamzam, blocked the well and abandoned it. After a period, its location was forgotten, until Allah restored it to Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet’s grandfather. Amr bin Madad and his companions from Jurhum fled to Yemen.

The Story of Abdul-Muttalib and the Swords of the Gazelles

Ibn Ishaq narrated: Abdul-Muttalib discovered some swords along with two gazelles [(129)], at which Quraysh exclaimed: "We have a right and a share in this, O Abdul-Muttalib." He replied: "No, but rather let's come to a fair agreement between me and you. Let's draw lots for them." They asked: "How shall we do that?" He said: "Place two lots for the Kaaba, two lots for you and two for me, and whatever comes out belongs to its owner." So they said to him [(130)]: "You have been fair, and we are pleased." Thus, he assigned two yellow lots for the Kaaba, two black ones for Abdul-Muttalib [(131)], and two white ones for Quraysh. Then they handed over the lots to the one who was to strike for them.

Abdul-Muttalib, standing up, started praying to Allah, saying: "You are the Magnificent King... My Lord, You [(132)] are the Initiator and the Restorer. You hold the firm root... From You comes knowledge and tradition. If you wish, You can guide to whatever you want... For the place of adornment and metal. Clear today what you want... Indeed, I have vowed to the Covenant [(133)] holder. Make it, O Lord, for me and I [(134)] will never go back".

The man with the lots struck the lots, and the yellow ones came out for the gazelles of the Kaaba, so Abdul-Muttalib slaughtered them at the doors of the Kaaba, and they were the first gold to adorn it. And the black ones came out for the swords and clubs of Abdul-Muttalib, so he took them.

The Arab Traditions during Jahiliyyah

During Jahiliyyah, Quraysh and the other Arabs, when they exerted efforts in supplication, they stuttered, thus arranging words.

The swords and gazelles [(129)] were gifts to the Kaaba from the Persian King Sasan, others say from King Shapur. The early Persian kings used to visit Sasan or Shapur. References: Gardens of Perspicuity (1: 97).

Note [(130)]: This part is not found in (H).

Note [(131)]: In (H): “For him”.

Note [(132)]: In (H): “So you are”.

Note [(133)]: In (H): “The covenant” holder, as mentioned in The Beginning and the End (2: 246).

Note [(134)]: In (H): “then no”.

Translation of an Excerpt from Classical Islamic Texts

It was said, albeit seldomly refuted, that when someone calls upon it [the well of Zamzam](135). Ibn Ishaq further narrated:

The Discovery and Eminence of The Well of Zamzam by Abdul Muttalib

When Abdul Muttalib dug the well of Zamzam, which God led him to and privileged him with, Allah also increased his honor and risk amongst his people due to it. As a result, all other sources of water in Mecca ceased when it appeared. People began to seek its blessings and recognize its virtues, due to its proximity to the Holy House and the belief that it is the water God provided for Ishmael(136), peace be upon him.

Source: (135) The story in "The Beginning and The End" (2:246): from Ibn Ishaq.(136) In sources (ح) and (ص): "Ishmael".