Salsabil

Salsabīl (Arabic: سَلْسَبیل) is a spring in the Heaven which is mentioned in the Qur'an. According to Quranic verses as well as hadiths, the spring is a source of Heavenly drink mixed with ginger. According to sources of Quranic exegesis, giving food to the poor, being fearful of God and the Resurrection, patience on God's path, and obedience of God render a person qualified for drinking from the spring of Salsabil. According to hadiths, the Pond of Kawthar is owned by Prophet Muhammad (s) and the spring of Salsabil is owned by Amir al-Mu'minin (a).

Quranic Meaning and Use

In chapter 76 of Qur'an it is said,

“                                                    وَيُسْقَوْنَ فِيهَا كَأْسًا كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا زَنجَبِيلًا عَيْنًا فِيهَا تُسَمَّىٰ سَلْسَبِيلًا
They will be served therein with a cup of a drink seasoned with Zanjabeel, from a spring in it named Salsabeel. ”

"Salsabil" literally means a tasty pleasant drink that softly passes through the mouth and the throat. The word has been used in the Qur'an to refer to a spring in the Heaven. According to the verse 18 of Sura al-Insan, the spring contains Heavenly drink mixed with ginger. In addition to Sura al-Insan in which the spring of Salsabil is explicitly mentioned, the sentence, "In both of them are two springs, flowing", in the verse 50 of Sura al-Rahman is interpreted to refer to the two springs of Tasnim and Salsabil.

Heavenly Springs

The Qur'an has mentioned three Heavenly springs, Salsabil, Tasnim, and Kafur, along with other Heavenly blessings. According to hadiths, the springs of Salsabil and Kafur come out from under a tree in the Heaven, whose trunk is located in the Prophet's (s) house and whose branches are extended to all houses in the Heaven. According to other hadiths, Salsabil flows from beneath the 'Arsh (Throne), and from there it goes to the Heaven of Eden (the highest position in the Heaven), and then it goes to other places in the Heaven.

Amir al-Mu'minin (a) as the Owner of Salsabil

According to a hadith from the Prophet (s), God has given the Pond of Kawthar to the Prophet (s) and the spring of Salsabil to Imam Ali (a).

A Reward for Believers

According to sources of the Quranic exegesis, one can be qualified for drinking from the spring of Salsabil by things such as giving food to the poor, being fearful of God and the Resurrection, obeying God and being patient on his path, fulfilling one's nadhr, and reciting suras of al-An'am and al-Fath.

References

• The material for this article is mainly taken from سلسبیل in Farsi WikiShia.