Al-'Ain Az-Zarqaa'

Its name was originally 'Ain Al-Azraq (the Blue Spring). It is a water channel coursing underground. It originated with Marwaan bin Al-Hakm, when he was governor of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, under the Khulaafah of Mu'aawiyah. Marwan's eyes were blue and the name of this watercourse is attributed to that. It originated from B'ir Al-Azraq (the Blue Well), which is a fresh water well that is vast in area and capacity, found in a grove near Qubaa' Mosque.

Its course runs north in the direction of the city (of Madinah) in a covered channel. There are openings in it which provide for water supply and irrigation, which are called Al-Deewal. There are two types, the first being an opening that resembles a well, whereby water is obtained by employing a rope and bucket. The second was by excavation to a certain height and width. This was done progressively, to reach the watercourse so that the people who needed the water supply, in particular the irrigators and water suppliers, who transferred the water to the houses, could access it. The water flowed through the extensive course and was spread to the residences of Madinah, from north to south. They also formed branches to reach the Prophet's Mosque and some of the districts. The rest coursed until it flowed to the farms near Mount Uhud.

Throughout successive periods, Madinah enjoyed the favour of the spring, under the care of the Islamic rulers and their governors. Water was supplemented to it from several wells like the Well of Arees, the Well of Al-Ribaat and the Well of Bowayrah. In the year 560 H., the governor, Seifudeen Al-Hussain bin Abu Al-Hayjaa', took a branch from it near a place where it exits next to the domes (graveyard) and transported the water to the gate of Madinah, then delivered it to the square at the Prophet's Mosque. The people of Madinah thus derived benefit from it. At the end of the ninth century hijrah, the ruler, Al-Ashraf (Qaaeetubaaee) Abu An-Nasr Al-Jurakusi Al-Thaahiri ordered the restoration, repairs and expansion of it. In the beginning of the Al-'Uthmaani Khulaafah, the water of Al-'Ain Az-Zarqaa' (the Blue Spring) ceased running. The Sultaan Suleiman ordered the restoration and improvement of its watercourse, in 923 A.H.. It then flowed again several times better. Its water was increased with water from other wells, during the end of the period of the Sultaan, 'Abd Al-Hameed, the Second.

During the Sa'udi period, King 'Abdul 'Aziz was concerned about it, so he extablished a private board for its administration, called 'Lajnah Al-'Ain Az-Zarqa' (Committee for the Blue Spring), which eventually became government administered. They supplied and installed metal pipes in the watercourse to protect its water from contamination, from whence it was transported to the residences. When a huge leap in construction and expansion occurred in Madinah, the water from the spring was not sufficient to meet the needs of the city. A water department was established and charged with the supply and network of water from new sources. After that, de-salinated water took its place.

What remains of the spring is in the memory, for it provided sweet water to the people of Madinah and its cultivations for fourteen centuries.

B'ir Arees (Al-Khaatim) 

B'ir Arees, also known as B'ir Al-Khaatim (the Well of the Ring), is located directly to the west of Qubaa' Mosque. The name 'Arees' is ascribed to a man of the Jews. It is also called (the Well of) 'the Ring' because the ring of the Khalifah fell into it from 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaan, during the sixth year of his rule. They searched for it for three days, to no avail. It was the ring that had originally belonged to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him). Then it was worn by Abu Bakr during his Khalifah and after him, by 'Umar bin Al'Khataab during his. It was passed on in succession until it reached 'Uthmaan. Some chroniclers regard the loss of the ring as a symptom or indication of the turmoil and the cause of what occurred in the subsequent years, which ended with the martyrdom of 'Uthmaan (Allah be pleased with him).

The 'Well of Arees' is mentioned in sahih hadith, which report that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) sat on the edge of the well and dangled his legs in it. Also sitting with him, were his companions Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Uthmaan (Allah be pleased with all of them).

The well was incorporated into and covered over by the external western plaza of Qubaa' Mosque, during its last expansion.

B'ir Bidaa'ah 

B'ir Bidaa'ah is a well located northwest of the Prophet's Mosque. It was previously a watering place mentioned in sahih hadith, which affirms that its water, if present, was abundant and not contaminated. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) drank from and washed with its water, along with his noble companions (Allah be pleased with all of them). Some historic mentions of it state that its water was abundant and sweet in some periods, but that it had gone dry in others.

During the last expansion project of the Prophet's Mosque its location was encompassed by the external plaza of the mosque.

B�ir Haa�

(The Well of Haa�)

B�ir Haa� was located in a grove, northeast of the Prophet�s Mosque. The designation Haa� is attributed to its old owner. The grove eventually became the property of the noble companion, Abi Talhah, who loved his wealth for himself. When the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) heard this, he exhorted him to donate it as a charity. It was engulfed by the Prophet�s Mosque, during the last expansion project.

B'ir Roomah 

B'ir (well) Roomah is an old well that is ascribed to a man from the Ghafaar tribe, whose name was Roomah. It is said that he bought it from a man of the Muzaini.

It is located in the northwest of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, near the course of Waadi Al-'Aqeeq, approximately five kilometres from the Prophet's Mosque. During the time of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), the Muslims needed the well, but its owner was a Jew, (or, in another version, a man of Ghafaar). The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) exhorted the Muslims to spend their money for it, so 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaan (Allah be pleased with him) bought it and donated it, in the cause of Allah. It is narrated that he increased it by excavation and expansion.

This well has endured as an historic landmark through all of the previous periods that have passed as time elapsed. It is also clear that had been neglected at some times as it filled up with rubble, or went dry, later being excavated to open its mouth and build its walls. To date it is still called B'ir 'Uthmaan. Some renderings have mentioned that the grove surrounding it was an endowment of the Prophet's Mosque, and that is called the Grove of 'Uthmaan.