So he said, “That was my father, and you are the threshold—return to your family.”

Ishmael then married another woman. After some time, Abraham came again, having been away for a period. He entered his son Ishmael’s home, found the wife there, and asked her about their condition. She praised their circumstances, saying, “We are well,” and spoke appreciatively of their life. He said, “Convey my greetings to your husband and tell him to keep firm the threshold of his doorway.”

When Ishmael returned—almost as though he asked, “Has anyone visited?”—she said, “Yes, an elderly man of such-and-such appearance came, conveys peace to you, and says you should hold fast to the threshold of your door.” He replied, “That was my father, and you are the threshold; he has instructed me to keep you.”

In short, Zamzam is blessed water: nourishment and sustenance, a remedy for illness. Zamzam water serves the purpose for which it is drunk: if you drink it to quench thirst, you will be satisfied; if you drink it to relieve hunger, you will be filled. Some scholars, taking the general sense of this hadith, held that if a sick person drinks it seeking healing, he will be cured; if someone plagued by forgetfulness drinks it for stronger memory, his memory will improve; whatever purpose it is drunk for, it brings benefit. In every respect, this water is blessed.