The Ruling on Purifying Impurities with Zamzam Water: A Detailed Fiqh Guide

For Muslims, Zamzam water is not just ordinary water. It is water full of blessings, with a long history connected to the Prophet Ismail and his mother, Hajar, and located in the holy land of Mecca. Because of its sanctity, many of us are very careful to observe proper etiquette when interacting with Zamzam water, usually only drinking it in the hope of healing or blessings.

However, a fiqh question often arises that sparks curiosity: What if Zamzam water is used for purification? More specifically, what is the ruling on purifying impurities with Zamzam water? Does the sanctity of this water prohibit its use for cleaning filth, or does its status as absolute water make it permissible to use?

This article will thoroughly discuss the issue by directly referencing the Shafi’i school of fiqh textbook that is considered authoritative (used as a reference), namely Asna al-Mathalib Syarh Raudh at-Thalib by Shaykh al-Islam Zakariyya al-Anshari. Let us carefully examine the explanation so as not to make mistakes in worship.

The Virtues and Glories of Zamzam Water

Before discussing the fiqh ruling, it is important for us to understand the position of Zamzam water in the view of scholars. This water has a very high status, even some scholars argue that it is superior to river water in paradise.

In the book Asna al-Mathalib (Volume 1, page 9) a very valuable benefit is mentioned regarding the virtue of this water. Imam Al-Bulqini, in a summary of the history of Mecca, argued that Zamzam water is more virtuous than Al-Kawthar water (the river in paradise). What is the reason?

The reason is because Zamzam water is water chosen by Allah to wash the chest (heart) of the Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him during the splitting of his chest before the Isra’ and Mi’raj. Logically, the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him would not be washed except with the best and most superior water.

Here is the original wording from the book regarding the opinion of Imam Al-Bulqini:

قال البلقيني في مختصر تاريخ مكة ماء زمزم أفضل من الكوثر لأن به غسل صدر النبي – صلى الله عليه وسلم – ولو لم يكن يغسل إلا بأفضل المياه

Meaning: “Al-Bulqini said in a summary of the history of Mecca: Zamzam water is more virtuous than Al-Kawthar because with it the chest of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was washed. And he was not washed except with the most virtuous water.”

Understanding this glory serves as our foundation for entering the discussion on the legal ruling of its use for cleaning impurities.

The Status of Zamzam Water for Wudu and Ghusl

Generally, in Shafi’i fiqh, Zamzam water is categorized as absolute water. This means it is pure water and can be used for purification (thahur).

So, is it permissible to use Zamzam water for standard purification such as wudu (ablution) or ghusl (ritual bath – after major impurity)?

The book Asna al-Mathalib explains that it is not disliked to use Zamzam water for general purification. This is because there is no strong or established evidence prohibiting its use.

The text of the book reads:

قوله: (و) لا (ماء زمزم) لعدم ثبوت نهي فيه

Meaning: “(And it is not disliked to use Zamzam water) because there is no established prohibition regarding it.”

Therefore, if someone performs ablution (wudhu) using Zamzam water in the Masjid al-Haram, for example, their ablution is valid and not considered to be doing something disliked (makruh) according to the opinion mentioned in the earlier part of this discussion. What about bathing a corpse? Read the answer in “The Ruling on Bathing a Corpse with Zamzam Water.”

Specific Ruling: Using Zamzam Water to Remove Impurity

This is the core of our discussion. Although Zamzam water is valid for ablution (wudhu), scholars differentiate its ruling when this noble water is used to remove impurity (izalatun najasah).

This difference arises from respect and reverence for Zamzam water. Removing impurity means using the water to cleanse something that is dirty and disgusting.

According to references in Asna al-Mathalib, the ruling on removing impurity with Zamzam water is makruh.

This opinion was put forward by Imam Al-Mawardi. In fact, Imam Ar-Ruyani and other scholars explicitly stated this dislike (makruh), especially in the context of istinja’ (cleansing oneself after urination or defecation).

The following is the Arabic text explaining the law:

نعم تكره إزالة النجاسة به كما قاله الماوردي، وصرح به الروياني، وغيره بالنسبة للاستنجاء

Meaning: “Yes, it is disliked to remove impurities with it (Zamzam water) as stated by Al-Mawardi, and explicitly explained by Ar-Ruyani and others regarding istinja’.”

Understanding the Status of “Makruh”

We need to understand together what “makruh” means in this context. If something is said to be makruh, it means that the action is best avoided. If we avoid it for the sake of Allah, we will receive a reward, but if we do it, we do not sin.

So, if someone is in a desperate situation and only has Zamzam water to purify ritual impurity (najas) on their body or clothes, and they use it, is their purification valid? The answer is valid. The impurity is considered to be removed according to Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) because Zamzam water is absolute water. However, the act is considered less ethical or less respectful towards the sanctity of Zamzam water.

The scholars want to preserve the sanctity of the water that was once used to wash the heart of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) so that it is not used to cleanse human impurities, even though the water itself is capable of purifying.

Summary of the Rulling on Using Zamzam Water

To facilitate understanding, here is a summary table of the legal rulings regarding the use of Zamzam water based on the explanation above:

Type of Use	Legal Status	Brief Explanation
Drinking for blessings/medicine	Sunnah/Recommended	Highly recommended due to its nobility.
Wudu and Obligatory Bath	Permissible (Not Disliked)	Because there is no valid evidence of prohibition.
Removing Impurity (Istinja’, etc.)	Disliked (Makruh)	In order to honor and respect Zamzam water.

Conclusion

From the explanation based on the book Asna al-Mathalib, we can draw a common thread that Islam pays great attention to etiquette, even towards water. Zamzam water holds a very special position.

Although technically in fiqh it is pure water that purifies, its use for things considered impure such as purifying ritual impurity with Zamzam water or using it for istinja’ is considered disliked (makruh) by Shafi’i scholars such as Imam Mawardi and Imam Ruyani. This is purely a form of respect for that very noble water. It is best to use ordinary water to cleanse ritual impurity, and to utilize Zamzam water for drinking or more noble acts of worship.

FAQ: Questions About the Use of Zamzam Water

Here are some frequently asked questions related to this topic based on the references that have been discussed.

Hopefully this explanation is beneficial and increases our Islamic knowledge. And Allah knows best.