Ruling on using Zamzam water to wash with after relieving oneself

 

Is it permissible to wash with Zamzam water after relieving oneself (istinja’)?

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

The saheeh ahaadeeth indicate that the water of Zamzam is
blessed. It was reported in Saheeh Muslim (2473) that the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said concerning Zamzam: “It
is blessed and it is food that nourishes.” A report narrated by Abu Dawood
[i.e., al-Tayaalisi] (1/364) with a jayyid isnaad adds: “and healing for
sickness.” This saheeh hadeeth points to the virtue of Zamzam water, stating
that it is food that nourishes and a healing for sickness, and that it is
blessed. The Sunnah is to drink from it as the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) did, and it is permissible to do wudoo’ and
istinjaa’ with it, and to do ghusl for janaabah (impurity following sexual
activity) if that is necessary. 

It was reported that water sprang from between the fingers of
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), then the
people took it and used it for their needs; they drank it, did wudoo’,
washed their clothes and washed after relieving themselves. All of that
happened. Zamzam water is not like the water that sprang from between the
fingers of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), for
there can be nothing superior to that, but both are blessed. So if the water
that sprang from between the fingers of the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) could be used for wudoo’, ghusl, istinja’
and washing clothes, then it is also permissible to use Zamzam water in
these ways. Whatever the case, it is pure and good water which it is
mustahabb to drink, and there is nothing wrong with using it for wudoo’, for
washing clothes and for washing after relieving oneself, if that is
necessary, as stated above. It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The water of Zamzam is for the
purpose for which it is drunk.” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 3062 – there is
some weakness in its isnaad but it is supported by the saheeh hadeeth quoted
above). Praise be to Allaah.