THE FARM AND WELL OF OTHMAN IBN AFFAN
The well that purchased Paradise.
The Promise of the Prophet ﷺ
When the first Muslims arrived in Medina after the Hijra, they discovered that all the drinking water in the city was controlled by a single man: a Jew named Rumah, the owner of the well that bore his name — Bi'r Rumah. This man sold water to the Muslims. It was expensive.
The Prophet ﷺ then made an extraordinary invitation: "Who will buy the well of Rumah, whose bucket will be like the buckets of other Muslims, in exchange for something better for him in Paradise?" (Sunan At-Tirmidhi n°3703 — sahih)
The Purchase of Othman (رضي الله عنه)
Othman ibn Affan (رضي الله عنه) heard these words. And he acted.
He went to see the Jew Rumah. Rumah refused to sell. Othman then proposed a unique strategy: "Sell me half of the well — one day for you, one day for me." Rumah accepted.
On Othman's first day, he announced: "Today, the water of the well of Rumah is free for all." The Muslims rushed in. They filled all their jars for two days.
The next day was Rumah's turn. No one came. No one for weeks. Rumah realized he had lost and returned to sell the other half to Othman. The well was entirely Muslim, free for all, forever.
The Miracle of the Well Today
Here is the detail that makes this place incredible.
The well of Othman is still active today.
It continues to provide water. It feeds a date palm grove of 1500 palm trees. This grove is managed by the Saudi government as a waqf in the name of Othman ibn Affan, who passed away 14 centuries ago.
The revenues are:
1. Reinvested in the palm grove
2. Distributed to the poor
3. Partially deposited into a bank account in the name of Othman
Othman ibn Affan has an active bank account in Saudi Arabia, in 2026. The caliph who died in 656 has an IBAN. These funds finance hotels near the Prophet's Mosque ﷺ, whose revenues support charitable works in the name of Othman.
This is the only example on Earth of a sadaqah jariyah that has never ceased to function since the 7th century.
"When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: a continuous charity, a beneficial knowledge, or a pious child who prays for him." (Sahih Muslim n°1631)
What This Place Teaches
1. Generosity as a spiritual strategy — giving for Allah is an investment
2. Patience — Othman paid twice
3. Intelligence in giving — he did not give sporadically, he gave structurally
4. The eternity of sadaqah — a well purchased in the year 1 AH still supports works in 2026
When you stand before this well, you are facing 1400 years of uninterrupted good deeds.