*** BIR-TUWA [WELL OF TUWA] ***
What Is the Bir tuwa – Well of Tuwa ?
The well of Tuwa is commonly known as Bir Tuwa. It is one of the most famous places in Ziyarat (travel spots) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Every year, hundreds of locals and pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah visit Bir Tuwa to get vegetables, fruits, and other things.
According to the history of Islam, Bir Tuwa is the place where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stayed for a night during the conquest of Makkah (630 AD). After waking up, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) bathed in Bir Tuwa and prayed Salah alongside the well. It was the place from where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) divided the Muslim army into two camps: a group led by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself, while the other half was led by Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (RA). According to Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) direction, the Muslims entered Makkah from the Kudai side. It is also stated in different places that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) bathed in the water of Bir Tuwa after performing Hajjat ul-Wida. Abdullah bin Zubayr narrates that, “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said a thousand prophets from the Bani Israel tied their mounts at Bir Tuwa and bathed in its water.” Therefore, following the Sunnah, Abdullah bin Zubayr would always spend a night at Bir Tuwa before entering Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Al-Zaraqi said that the wife of Harun al-Rashid, Zubaydah, had constructed a mosque at this spot. Since Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) bathed in it, the water of Bir Tuwa is said to be clean and full of Shifa. Today, hundreds of pilgrims and locals visit the well of Tuwa to drink some water and take a bath in it. However, it isn’t easy because to keep it safe, the government of Saudi Arabia has created a protective shield over the opening of the well. Visiting the Dhi Tuwa was a common practice of Abdullah bin Umar (RA), as reported by Nafi’, “Abdullah bin Umar (RA) did not enter Makkah without spending the night at Dhi Tuwa until it was dawn when he took a bath, and then entered Makkah in the morning, and made a mention that Allah’s Apostle Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did that.” [Sahih Muslim]