Today, the site of Bi’r Rūmah lies inside Bir Uthman Park in Madinah.
Bi’r Rūmah is one of the famous historic wells of Madinah, closely linked to the generosity of ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān رضي الله عنه. In the early days after the Hijrah, this well did not belong to the Muslims. It was owned by a Jewish man who used it as a business, selling its water to people in Madinah. The water of Bi’r Rūmah was fresh and pleasant, so many people depended on it, but the price was a burden, especially for the poor and for the migrants from Makkah who had left most of their wealth behind.
When the Prophet ﷺ saw the need of the Muslims for free and reliable water, he encouraged his companions to help. In narrations mentioned by the scholars, the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever bought the well of Rūmah and made its water available to the Muslims would receive a reward in Paradise. In some reports he promised, “Whoever prepares the well of Rūmah will have Jannah,” and in others he described a spring in Paradise in return for this act of charity. This turned a commercial well into an opportunity for everlasting reward.
ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān رضي الله عنه responded to this call. He went to the owner of the well and tried to buy it outright, but the man refused to sell all of it because he did not want to lose his income. After negotiation, he agreed to sell half of the well to ʿUthmān on the condition that one day would belong to ʿUthmān and one day to himself. On ʿUthmān’s day, he made the water completely free for everyone. People would draw enough water on that day to cover two days’ needs, so when the other owner’s day came, almost no one needed to buy from him anymore. When he realized that his sales had fallen and the business was no longer profitable, he offered to sell the remaining half as well. ʿUthmān bought that part too and donated the entire well as a waqf for the Muslims, making its water free permanently.
