Water Conservation in Islamic Perspective

Water sent down by Allah (SWT) from the sky as His (SWT) blessings for the living-kind which is obviously the ultimate source of the life is held in high regard by most societies. It cannot be denied that all human beings rely on water for life and good health, but for Muslims, water is first and foremost, a social good in Islam. It is also regarded as a blessing from Allah that gives and sustains all life in this world. Water is a valuable resource in both life and in the ways of Islam, and as such, it is considered a great charitable act in Islam to give water to another living thing on earth. Prudence in using water is ordered by the Shariah. Islam strictly forbids the Ummah from wasting any resources, including water. Carelessness, excess and ingratitude in benefitting from this blessing of Allah must be avoided. Precisely, limiting waste and conserving water is also highlighted in Islamic teachings since the Nobel Quran tells mankind that they should care for the precious resources and limit wastage. Furthermore, there are also evidences in the SUNNAH (Sahih Ahadith) which states that the Prophet (PBUH) used just 2/3 of a litre of water to perform ablution and that he (PBUH) spoke of not wasting water even when it was found in abundant. However, Allah (SWT) the most high says in the Nobel Quran (Interpretation of the meaning in English): “O Children of Adam… Eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for God loveth not the wasters.” (Al-Quran, Chapter#7, Verse#31) “We made from water every living thing, Will they not then believe? (Al-Quran, Chapter#21, Verse#30) “It is He Who has created man from water….” (Al-Quran, Chapter#25, Verse#54) “It is He Who has created man from water….” (Al-Quran, Chapter#25, Verse#54) “And Allah has created every animal from water…….” (Al-Quran, Chapter#24, Verse#45) “Then He made his offspring from a quintessence of despised water (coming out of parents)…..” (Al-Quran, Chapter#32, Verse#8) “…for there are some stones which rivers gush out of and there are others which water comes forth from when they split open, and there are still others which collapse out of awe for God” (Al-Quran, Chapter#2, Verses:73-74) “…(since he is the One) Who has laid out the earth as a carpet for you and has traced highways on it for you, and sent down water from the sky. We have brought forth every sort of plant with it, of various types.” (Al-Quran, Chapter#20, Verse#53) “…..and produced its water and its pasturage from it” (Al-Quran, Chapter#79, Verse#31) “Thus He caused drowsiness to overcome you as an assurance from Him, and sent down water from the sky on you to cleanse or with and to remove Satan’s Blight from you, and to bind up your hearts and brace your feet with it” (Al-Quran, Chapter#8, Verse#11) “We have sent down blessed water from the sky and We grow gardens with it as well as grain to be harvested, And soaring palms which have compact clusters, As sustenance for worshippers. We have revived a dead countryside with it” (Al-Quran, Chapter#50, Verse#9) “And we send down water from the sky (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are able to take it away.” (Al-Quran, Chapter#23, Verse#18) The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH): “Used to perform ablution with one mudd of water [equal to 2/3 liter] and used to take a bath with one sa’a up to five mudds [equal to 2 – 3.5 liters].” (Sahih Al-Bukhari# 1:4:200) Narrated from Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-Aas (Radi Allahu Anhuma) that the Prophet (PBUH) passed by Sa‘ad when he was doing wudoo’, and he said: “What is this extravagance, O Sa‘ad?” He said: Can there be any extravagance in Wudoo’? He said, “Yes, even if you are on the bank of a flowing river.” (Musnad Imam Ahmad, Hadith#6768, Sunan Ibn Maajah, Hadith#419: Shaikh Ahmad Shaakir said: “Its ISNAAD is SAHIH”. Shaikh Mohammed Nasiruddin Al- Albani (Rahimahullah) classed it as HASAN in As-Silsilat Al-Ahaadeeth As-Sahihah#3292.) Narrated by Umm Al-Mo’mineen A’aisha (Radi Allahu Anha) that: “The Prophet (PBUH) and I used to take a bath with water from a single pot called ‘Faraq’.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Chp#5, Book of Ghusl, Hadith# 250) Narrated by Ibn Abbas (Radi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “May Allah be merciful to the mother of Ishmael! If she had left the water of Zam-Zam (fountain) as it was, (without constructing a basin for keeping the water), (or said, “If she had not taken handfuls of its water”), it would have been a flowing stream. Jurhum (an Arab tribe) came and asked her, ‘May we settle at your dwelling?’ She said, ‘Yes, but you have no right to possess the water.’ They agreed.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Bk#40, Hadith#556) Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Anhu) that Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said: “Do not withhold the superfluous water, for that will prevent people from grazing their cattle.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Bk#40, Hadith#543) Narrated by Urwa bin Az-Zubair (Radi Allahu Anhu) that when a man from the Ansar quarreled with Az-Zubair (Radi Allahu Anhu), the Prophet (PBUH) said: “O Zubair! Irrigate (your land) first and then let the water flow (to the land of the others).” “On that the Ansari said, (to the Prophet), “It is because he is your aunt’s son.” On that the Prophet said, “O Zubair! Irrigate till the water reaches the walls between the pits around the trees and then stop (i.e. let the water go to the other’s land).” I think the following verse was revealed concerning this event: “But no, by your Lord They can have No faith Until they make you judge In all disputes between them.” (4.65)“ (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Bk#40, Hadith#549) Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Anhu) that Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said: “While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, ‘This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.” The people asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?” He replied, “Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Bk#40, Hadith#551) Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “There are three types of people whom Allah will neither talk to, nor look at, on the Day of Resurrection. (They are): 1. A man who takes an oath falsely that he has been offered for his goods so much more than what he is given, 2. a man who takes a false oath after the ‘Asr prayer in order to grab a Muslim’s property, and 3. a man who with-holds his superfluous water. Allah will say to him, “Today I will with-hold My Grace from you as you with-held the superfluity of what you had not created.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Bk#40, Hadith#557) Narrated by Amr bin Yahya (on the authority of his father) that: “Abdullah bin Zaid poured water on his hands from a utensil containing water and washed them and then with one handful of water he rinsed his mouth and cleaned his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out. He repeated it thrice. He, then, washed his hands and forearms up to the elbows twice and passed wet hands over his head, both forwards and backwards, and washed his feet up to the ankles and said, “This is the ablution of Allah’s Apostle.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith# 190) Narrated by Abu Jafar (Radi Allahu Anhu) that: “While I and my father were with Jabir bin Abdullah, some People asked him about taking a bath He replied, “A Sa’a of water is sufficient for you.” A man said, “A Sa’a is not sufficient for me.” Jabir said, “A Sa’a was sufficient for one who had more hair than you and was better than you (meaning the Prophet (PBUH).” And then Jabir (put on) his garment and led the prayer.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Chp#5, Book of Ghusl, Hadith#252).
Importance of Environment Protection and conservation based on the Nobel Quran and Sunnah (Sahih Ahadith) Allah SWT (in his nobel book, Al-Quran) “Warns” people who pollute the environment? As well as the SUNNAH (Sahih Ahadith) of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) clearly speaks about the protection of the environment. Allah SWT the most high says in the Nobel Quran (Interpretation of the meaning in English): “Rampant corruption and disorder have appeared in the land and in the sea because of what people keep doing. He will let them taste some of their doings, so that they might return to the Right Path.” (Al-Quran, Chapter#30, Verse#41) “And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, …” (Al-Quran, Chapter#7, Verse#56) “And when he turns away (from you “O Muhammad”), his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle, and Allah likes not mischief” (Al-Quran, Chapter# 2, Verse#205) “Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which God sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds subjugated between the sky and earth — [here] indeed are signs for a people who thinks” (Al-Quran, Chapter#2, Verse#164) “And you certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do you not celebrate His praises? See you the seed that you sow in the ground? Is it you that cause it to grow, or are We the cause? Were it our will, We could crumble it to dry powder, and you would be left in wonderment, [Saying], “We are indeed left with debts [for nothing]; “Indeed are we shut out [of the fruits of our labour].” See you the water which you drink? Do you bring it down [in rain] from the cloud or do We? Were it our will, We could make it salt [and unpalatable]; then why do you not give thanks? See you the fire which you kindle? Is it you who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it? It is We Who make it a means to remind [you of Us], and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts.Then celebrate with praises the name of your Sustainer, the Supreme!” (Al-Quran, Chapter# 56, Verses#62-74) “See you not that to Allah bow down in worship all things that are in the heavens and on earth — the sun, the moon, the stars; the hills, the trees, the animals; and a great number of mankind?” (Al-Quran, Chapter# 22, Verse#18) “And do We not send down from the clouds water in abundance, That We may produce therewith corn and vegetables, And gardens of luxurious growth?” (Al-Quran, Chapter# 78, Verses#14-16) “For that We pour forth water in abundance, And We split the earth in fragments, And produce therein corn, And grapes and nutritious plants, And olives and dates, And enclosed gardens, dense with lofty trees, And fruits and fodder. For use and convenience to you and your cattle.” (Al-Quran, Chapter# 80, Verses#25-32) “Or who has made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon mountains immovable, and made a separating bar between the bodies of flowing water? [Can there be another] god besides God? Nay, most of them know not.” (Al-Quran, Chapter#27, Verse#61) “It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse through its tracts and enjoy of the sustenance which He furnishes.” (Al-Quran, Chapter#67, Verse#15) Narrated by Anas (Radi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “If a Muslim plants a tree or cultivates a crop, then whenever a bird or a man or an animal eats from it, it will be considered as a charity for him.” (Sahih Al-Muslim) Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “There is a reward for service to every living creature.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, and Sahih Al-Muslim) Narrated by Anas (Radi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “If a Muslim plants a tree or cultivates a crop, then whenever a bird or a man or an animal eats from it, it will be considered as a charity for him.” (Sahih Al-Muslim) Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “There is a reward for service to every living creature.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, and Sahih Al-Muslim) The Prophet (PBUH) ordered everyone to plant even it is time for judgment:”If the Hour occurs and one of you holds a seed in his hand, then if he can sow it before the Hour occurs, he should do so.” (Musnad Imam Ahmad) Narrated Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “A man passing along a road found a thorny branch leaning over the road and pushed it away. Allah appreciated his action and forgave his sins.” (Jamia At-Tirmidhi) Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Avoid urinating into still water (in a reservoir or pond, i.e. water that does not flow), and then bathing with it.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Al-Muslim, and Others: “The version found in Sahih Al-Muslim mentions that the bath intended is one to remove the state of major ritual impurity.”) The Prophet (PBUH) said: “There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith#3:51) Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet [PBUH] said: “Beware of the two [acts that bring] curses: relieving oneself in the path of people, or in the shade [i.e. where they usually rest].” (Musnad Imam Ahmed). In brief, water in Islam is considered as a gift belonging to all equally, which has to be managed and distributed with equity among all living beings, humans, animals and plant life. Precious and scarce resource must be managed with respect and the highest degree of responsibility, in an equitable manner both individually and collectively. I ask Allah SWT to guide us all to the MANHAJ of the SALAF AS-SALIH i.e. the MANHAJ of QURAN & SUNNAH (SAHIH AHADITH ONLY) and enable us all to be just and fair in all our matters. Ameen!
( The authors regularly write on Islamic topics exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. Views are their own)
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