English Translation

Hadrat Ibn ‘Abbas said that when God’s messenger came to the place for supplying water and asked for some, al-‘Abbas said, “Goto your mother, Fadl, and bring God’s messenger something to drink from her.” He asked again for water, and he said, “Messenger of God, they are putting their hands in it.” He asked once more and drank some of it. He then went to Zamzam where they were exerting themselves in supplying water and said, “Go ahead, for you are engaged in a good work.” Then pointing to his shoulder he said, “Were it not that you would be overpowered, I would go down and put the rope on this.” (This means that if the Noble Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) were seen drawing water from Zamzam himself others would think they had the right to do the same, and chose who had the office of drawing water would lose their privilege) Bukhari transmitted it.