Purchasing a Well in Jannah

Purchasing a Well in Jannah

When the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) migrated to Madeenah Munawwarah, the water that was found in Madeenah Munawwarah was difficult for them to drink due it being bitter. However, there was a certain Jew living in Madinah Munawaarah who had a well of sweet water named Roomah, and he used to sell the water of his well to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), “Who will buy the well of Roomah from the Jew and donate it for the benefit of the Muslims so that he will be equal to the Muslims in drawing its water, and he will receive a well in Jannah in exchange of this well?”

Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) went to the Jew who was the owner of the well and offered to purchase Roomah from him. However, the Jew refused to sell the entire well, and instead only sold half of the well to Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) for twelve thousand dirhams.

Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) immediately donated it for the benefit of the Muslims. Thereafter, Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to the Jew, “If you wish, we can hang two buckets on the well (so that we can both use the well at the same time), or if you wish, I can use it on one day and you can use it on the next day.” The Jew replied that he preferred to alternate days with Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) for the use of the well.

Thereafter, when it was the day of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the Muslims would come to the well and draw sufficient water to last them for two days. Seeing that the Muslims were no longer buying water from him, the Jew said to Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “You have spoilt my well (as I can no longer sell the water to the people)! Why don’t you buy the other half from me.” Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus purchased the other half of the well from him for eight thousand dirhams and also donated it for the benefit of the Muslims.

(Istee‘aab vol. 3 pg. 157)