This well is known by two famous names:
- Bi’r al-ʿAhn.
- Bi’r al-Yasīrah – this is the name that the Prophet ﷺ gave to the well
This well became closely tied to the Prophet ﷺ and remained a witness to his visit and his wuḍū’ from it. The Prophet ﷺ passed by this well and asked about it. It was said to him: “Its name is al-ʿUsayrah,” so he changed its name to al-Yasīrah, in line with his noble habit of changing harsh or off-putting names to names with a good and pleasant meaning.
The water of this well was also used to wash the blessed body of the noble Companion Abū Salamah al-Makhzūmī رضي الله عنه. He was the foster-brother of the Prophet ﷺ through breastfeeding, and the son of his aunt Barrah bint ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib. He was present at Badr and Uḥud, where he was wounded; the wound healed, then later reopened and he passed away. He was washed at Bi’r al-ʿAhn.
