Bir al-Ghars (بئر غرس), also known as the al-Ghars Well, is a historic water well located in Medina, Saudi Arabia. According to tradition, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once drank from this well and asked to be bathed in its water after passing away.

Overview

Among the few historical locations known to have a connection to the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is this one. The historic drinking well is situated in the al-Awali district’s Bat’haan valley, some 1,200 meters east of the Masjid al-Jummah and Masjid al-Quba, and four kilometers south of the Masjid Nabawi.

The Gharas means to cultivate a plant, and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to receive water from this well from Bilal Ibn Rabah (R.A.). This water well, which is no longer in use, lies about 1.5 kilometers north of Masjid Quba.

The well was first dug by Malik bin al-Nahhat, the grandfather of Sa’ad bin Khaythamah bin al-Haris, who owned it when he hosted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during the Hijrah journey from Mecca to Medina, according to historical sources (most likely Moughera Ibn Shu’ba, d. 671 CE).

About half a mile separates the Masjid al-Quba from the Bir al-Ghars, which were situated in a desolate location, according to Ibn Najjar (c. mid-13th century CE). It was filled up and damaged by floodwaters at the time.

At the time, the water tasted good despite being stagnant and green. It stayed in this condition until 1300 CE, when it was briefly rebuilt and then abandoned once more.

It was once more purchased by a powerful individual during the Samhudi period (around 1470 CE), repaired, and surrounded with a modest mosque and garden. During the low level season, a staircase was constructed to reach the water. It’s possible that this staircase has survived to this day.

The name’s origin and pronunciation

The word “Ghars” is pronounced in two different ways: first, with a fathah on the initial letter, ghain, and second, with a dammah.

Ali ibn Ahmad al-Samhudi reports that he has overheard the Medina citizens, known as the ahl-Madinah, reciting the well’s name along with a fathah and a dammah. The name “ghars” is an origin word for “Gharas al-Shajar” (a planted tree or sapling), he adds.

Ghars Wel Hadith

One of the Madinah landmarks associated with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is al-Ghars Well, according to Fouad Al-Maghmasi, a scholar of Madinah’s history. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) frequently received water from Ghars, one of his favorite wells due to its freshness. According to Ali ibn Abu Talib, who was cited by Ibn Majar, the Prophet (PBUH) stated: “When I die, wash me with seven water-skins from al-Ghars Well. He also used to drink from this well.”

[Sunan Ibn Majah 1468]

The well is mentioned for the first time in modern history by Burton. In his book Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al Madinah and Meccah, Richard Burton, who visited Arabia in the 1850s, states that “the Bir al-Ghars, Gharas or Ghurs, so called, it is said, from the place where it was sunk, about half a mile N.W. of the Kuba Mosque, is a large well with an abundance of water.” Apparently, it was continued in use until the middle of the nineteenth century CE, despite having dried up.

Structure

There are some naturally occurring and some sculpted basalt stones lining the watering hole’s exterior retaining wall.

Around 2023, the Bir Ghars (often spelled Gharas) complex underwent renovations.

The wall’s outer enclosure, a small mosque to the north, and a small sabil are all part of the contemporary tourism complex.

There was some detritus at the dried-up bottom of the Ghars well prior to the 2023 CE restorations. Volcanic rock was used to build the linning wall, and mortar was used to bake the bricks on top. Access was prohibited inside the white-washed circular wall enclosing the watering hole structure. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage is currently in charge of overseeing the location.