may be because the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, did this because it was easier for him, or because he became thirsty after tawaf, or in preparation for sa'i. But drink it, for it is good.
Issue: The view that drinking Zamzam water while standing is a prescribed sunnah is incorrect. The Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, drank while standing only because the place was crowded. When the bucket was raised to the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, the space was ample; yet had he sat down, he would have caused congestion.
His statement, “for whatever purpose he wishes”: the lam indicates purpose—that is, he should intend by drinking it whatever he wishes. Thus, if he is ill and drinks it seeking the removal of his illness, let him do so, and he will be cured by Allah’s permission. If he is thirsty and drinks it to quench his thirst, let him do so, and he will be quenched by Allah’s permission. If he is very forgetful and drinks it so that his memory may be strengthened, let him do so. Some hadith scholars did this, based on the Prophet’s statement: “Zamzam water is for whatever purpose it is drunk.” (1) The hadith is sound.
There is some hesitation concerning this. As for drinking it to relieve thirst, that is clear; likewise, to relieve hunger, and likewise in the case of illness. For illness is a physical, organic condition that may be removed by drinking Zamzam water, just as thirst and hunger may be relieved. But with regard to abstract, intellectual matters, one is uncertain about this—unless we say: It does you no harm; intend whatever you wish. If the hadith encompasses it, the intended result will be attained; otherwise, you will not be sinful.
What if a poor person drinks it seeking wealth? We say: if we hesitate concerning drinking it to strengthen one’s memory, then this applies even more so to wealth. And if a man who has proposed marriage to a woman, and is awaiting either acceptance or refusal, drinks it in the hope that her family will accept him—if we take the hadith in its general sense, we would say, “for whatever purpose it is drunk.” Yet it does not appear to me—and Allah knows best—that this is what the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, intended, because such matters have no connection with the body, which benefits from drinking.