Ain Zubaida and its beads… historical features that tell of the Muslim care for pilgrims throughout the ages

2026/05/14 8:33:01 PM

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Ain Zubaida and its beads… historical features that tell of the Muslim care for pilgrims throughout the ages

Guests of the Most Gracious in a time when water represented one of the greatest challenges of travel and Hajj.

The Royal Commission for the City of Mecca and the Holy Sites explained that Ain Zubaydah is located in Wadi Numan on the road between Taif and Mecca, and was named by this name in reference to Zubaydah bint Jaafar, wife of the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid, who ordered the delivery of the spring’s water to Mecca in the year (174 AH/791 AD), after she saw The hardship that pilgrims face in fetching water from a place known as"The Auger" Below Mount Kara on the western side of the Haram, the project took about ten years to implement, while the length of the Al-Ain canals extending to Mecca is about 38 kilometers.

The project received continuous attention through restoration, maintenance and rebuilding works throughout the historical eras, especially during the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud – may God have mercy on him – when he ordered their restoration, and a special administration was established called "Ain Zubaida" To undertake full supervision of the spring and its wells and their maintenance and restoration work.

Architectural Creativity

The project is considered one of the greatest engineering projects in Islamic history, as its canals extended from Wadi Numan, east of Mecca, to the Grand Mosque and the holy sites.

Ain Zubaida beads are known as circular pieces of stone or pottery that were used within the water channels to regulate the flow of water and connect parts of the spring’s course, and contributed to maintaining the flow of water over distances. Long amidst the mountainous terrain surrounding Mecca.

These engineering elements reflect the precision of construction and architectural creativity that distinguished Islamic civilization in developing Hajj facilities and serving those who go to the Sacred House of God.

The book documents "Zubaida was given water while her eyes were on Mecca" By Dr. Badr al-Din Youssef Ahmed and Dr. Fawaz bin Ali al-Dahas, published by King Abdulaziz Foundation, details the historical Ain Zubaydah project, as it deals with Ain Hunain, which is the source spring located in Wadi al-Sharay’a, which was later transformed, and also reviews the Ain Zubaydah project. "Arafa – Numan" Which was then relied upon, providing historical and geographical information about the two projects, in addition to a description of the irrigation canals, their beads, and water distribution mechanisms.

The authors discussed the care given by the Saudi state to the Ain Zubaydah project, starting from the era of King Abdulaziz – may God have mercy on him – who ordered the restoration of the spring, and the establishment of a special administration called "Ain Zubaida" To undertake full supervision of the spring and its wells and its maintenance and restoration work, in addition to appointing a number of specialists to follow up on its work, in recognition of the importance of providing water to pilgrims and the residents of Mecca, and he – may God have mercy on him – inspected it and followed up on its work himself.

The authors touched on the Kingdom’s continued interest in the Ain Zubaydah project through the eras of the Kingdom’s kings, up to the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect them -, as the Holy City of Mecca received continuous care in various fields, including the provision of fresh water and the preservation of historical sites associated with serving the guests of God. The book concluded by talking about ways to preserve the Ain Zubaydah archaeological project and benefit from it.

Great Care

It is clear from the above that King Abdulaziz – may God have mercy on him – paid great attention to the water sources in the Holy City of Mecca and its feelings. Holy, most prominent among them "Ain Zubaida" Which is considered one of the most important historical projects related to serving pilgrims and Umrah pilgrims throughout the ages.

And a book discussion "The Arabian Peninsula during the reign of King Abdulaziz" In its first edition in 1390 AH, its author, Khair al-Din al-Zirakli, presented an aspect of these efforts, explaining the unified king’s interest in rehabilitating and maintaining the Al-Ain’s sewers to ensure the continued flow of water to Mecca and the holy sites, at a time when the Holy City was witnessing a continuous increase in the number of pilgrims.

Al-Zirkli pointed out that King Abdulaziz directed the implementation of restoration and cleaning works for the Al-Ain’s sewers, removing the obstructions that had accumulated in them, in addition to repairing the damaged canals, in recognition of He highlighted the importance of providing water to the guests of God and the residents of Mecca, indicating that these efforts came within a comprehensive vision aimed at developing basic services in the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites, and improving conditions for Hajj and residence.

These works highlight an aspect of King Abdulaziz’s interest in the Hajj infrastructure, and his keenness to preserve historical monuments related to serving pilgrims, so that Ain Zubaydah remains a cultural witness to the Saudi state’s care in serving the Holy House of God. And its visitors.

The remains of Ain Zubaydah and some of its historical components, including the stone beads and channels, are still of interest to researchers and those interested in Islamic heritage, because of the cultural and human value they represent, reflecting an aspect of the history of Mecca and the efforts to serve pilgrims throughout the ages, in an image that embodies the depth of the cultural heritage associated with the Hajj journey since ancient times.