Zamzam Essentials
Your source for all essential aspects for bringing back Zamzam water!
It was narrated that Jabir bin ‘Abdullah said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for.’
-Sunan Ibn Majah
By Mohammad Bahareth - Flickr: بئر زمزم الأثري, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33477990
Not all water in Medina is Zamzam!
Did you know that only certain containers in Medina contain zamzam, and only ONE outdoor fountain has zamzam!
Despite appearing in very familiar zamzam appearing containers, these containers located OUTSIDE of Masjid Al-Nabawi do NOT contain zamzam. Why? It does note have the word Zamzam in arabic. NOT ZAMZAM
All these fountains outside of Masjid Al-Nabawi are NOT zamzam either. Dont worry…we all thought it was. Its simply drinking water.
These containers INSIDE Masjid Al-Nabawi are clearly marked with Zamzam in Arabic, so you can be rest assured It’s Zamzam
This Specific Fountain by Gate 310(near Quba’ walkway entrance), at the southwest corner of Masjid Al Nabawi, is dedicated to filling the large blue plastic containers with Zamzam. Lines get long and they are only open certain times-I forgot to take a picture, but times are posted outside.
Finding Zamzam water to bring back home
Both Mecca and Medinah Airport have multiple pick up stations located outside the airport.
Here is the video of an example of where you will pick up your airline approved boxed water of zamzam
If your on a tourist Visa they may ask for
Umrah Certificate: you get this upon completion of your umrah appointment that you made via the Nusuk app. The reason for this is to make sure those who came on a Tourist Visa actually did umrah, otherwise even those coming to Saudi for simply leisure could potentially get Zamzam water
Passport: 1 Zamzam 5L box per passport
If your coming back from hajj, then usually your Guide/Operator will give you the box of zamzam water outside the airport
Cost of zamzam fluctuates, but usually no more that a few dollars USD
Checking in and MARKING your Zamzam Box
Once you Check in your luggage with the agent
the agent will also place a baggage sticker on your box of zamzam
you will drop off your tagged Zamzam box at a designated zamzam drop off point(the agent at the front desk will point you in the direction)
PRO TIP: before you drop off your zamzam box please mark your box with the colored tape(like in the picture) to make it easier to find when you pick it up at your destination as there will be a mountain of white Zamzam boxes that will all look the same.
When you land the states and want to go pick up your Zamzam, they are not always with the regular luggage, you may find them in the oversized luggage area for pick up.
We often are asked: “Is it true some airlines leaving Mecca or Medina dont allow Zamzam water?” The answer is: No it is not. As long as you have your umrah certificate given via Nusuk App. There was at some point an issue, but that is no longer the case.
Once you land back, and need to take a domestic flight back home, here is some information on the Zamzam check in policy for domestic flights
-United Airlines: Free zamzam check in policy
-Jetblue: Free zamzam check in as they deem it “holy water”
-American Airlines: there is a non public policy that it is free since its considered holy water, usually the supervisors are aware of this policy. so kindly ask the front desk to talk to them. otherwise it there will be a check in fee.
-Southwest Airlines: will charge a full checked in bag fee for the box of Zamzam
-Delta will charge a full checked in bag fee for the box of Zamzam
