Dubai: To Muslims, it is more than water.

It is a miracle. A part of religion and rituals. A cure. A link to some of the most prominent figures in world history.

Prophet Ebrahim, who according to Islamic tradition, built Bait Al Allah (the House of Allah) in Makkah, settled his family Hajar and their son Esmail in the area following God’s orders.

Hajar was looking for water to quench hers and her little crying boy’s thirst. She ran seven times back and forth in the middle of the desert between the two hills of Safa and Marwa. Today, this same act is a necessary rite of the Haj pilgrimage.

God’s response to the crying of the little boy and the efforts of a desperate mother was to miraculously create a water spring at the feet of prophet Esmail.

Zamzam well, which is located approximately 20 metres east of the Ka’aba, is 35 metres deep and topped by a dome. The water is still flowing today. It was Zamzam that led to the settlement of Makkan Valley.

The well of Zamzam continues to hold importance generations later. The grandfather of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Abdal Muttalib, was honoured with the responsibility of taking care of the well and the pilgrims to Makkah.

Today, Muslims strongly believe that among the many miracles of Zamzam is its ability to satisfy thirst and hunger and has health benefits as well.