A Visionary Trail for Pilgrims
The Waqf of Zubaidah
The Waqf of Ain Zubaidah
The Waqf of Ain Zubaidah is a public endowment established by Zubaidah bint Jaafar bin Abi Jaafar al-Mansur, wife of Caliph Harun al-Rashid, during the 2nd century AH. This initiative was aimed at providing water to the residents of Makkah and pilgrims to the Sacred House of Allah. The project was inspired by Zubaidah’s pilgrimage in 186 AH, during which she witnessed the hardships pilgrims faced in securing water during Hajj. The General Authority for Awqaf in Saudi Arabia now oversees the endowment.
Location of Ain Zubaidah
Ain Zubaidah spans approximately 26 kilometres, beginning in the highlands of Al-Kur Valley near Ta’if and extending to the city of Makkah. Zubaidah ordered the construction of water channels through the mountains, connected to rain catchment areas, to deliver water to the Grand Mosque in Makkah. These channels passed through the sacred sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. Additionally, Zubaidah purchased all the lands surrounding the valley to facilitate the project.
Ain Zubaidah spans approximately 26 kilometres, beginning in the highlands of Al-Kur Valley near Ta’if and extending to the city of Makkah. Zubaidah ordered the construction of water channels through the mountains, connected to rain catchment areas, to deliver water to the Grand Mosque in Makkah. These channels passed through the sacred sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. Additionally, Zubaidah purchased all the lands surrounding the valley to facilitate the project.
Structure of Ain Zubaidah
The channels of Ain Zubaidah feature inspection chambers (khurazat), some of which are visible on the surface, while others are buried underground but have been identified. Since the channel traversed areas prone to flash floods, a dam was built to control the flow and irrigate farmland below. Parts of this dam are still intact today.
The channel then extends to the sacred sites, reaching a large well lined with massive stones, known as Bir Zubaidah (Zubaidah’s Well). From there, the channel continues to Makkah, passing through Aziziyah, Shisha, and Ma’abida neighbourhoods, eventually ending at another large well in an area called Mihbas Al-Jinn.
Proceed, even if each stroke of the pickaxe costs a dinar.
Zubaidah
Cost of Ain Zubaidah
The total cost of constructing Ain Zubaidah was approximately 1.7 million gold dinars, equivalent to 5,950 kilograms of gold. This high cost reflected the immense difficulty of the project and its extensive scope. When Zubaidah’s treasurer informed her of the expenses, she famously replied, “Proceed, even if each stroke of the pickaxe costs a dinar.”
The historian Imam Abdullah Al-Yafi’i described Ain Zubaidah as an awe-inspiring and meticulously constructed work that stands out in the mountainous terrain. He noted its robust design and the deep underground channels with numerous stairs, which could intimidate those descending alone, even in daylight.
Ain Zubaidah in the Modern Era
Over time, parts of Ain Zubaidah deteriorated but were restored in various periods. During the reign of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, a dedicated department named Ain Zubaidah was established to oversee and restore the channel and its wells. In 1929 (1346 AH), Sheikh Abdullah Al-Dahlawi, under royal orders, led restoration efforts, including distributing water to Makkah neighbourhoods through small channels called dabbul. These channels fed designated reservoirs called bazans, from which water was drawn using buckets and distributed to homes in special containers called zafas.
For over 1,200 years, Ain Zubaidah continued to provide water to Makkah’s residents until desalinated seawater eventually replaced it due to reduced water flow and urban development. Current studies are underway to revitalise Ain Zubaidah through collaboration among various stakeholders. Two royal decrees have been issued to allocate land along the project’s route as endowments to support its maintenance and operations. This includes registering government lands traversed by the channel as endowments to generate a steady income for its upkeep.
