Water, the very substance created by two molecules of Hydrogen and one molecule of Oxygen as scientists say, is one of the wonders of this world. Nothing more is required to prove the greatness of the Creator. Whatever provisions we get in this world are actually dependent on the rain that pours from the sky. The Qur’an says: “It is He Who shows you His signs and sends down rain as a provision for you from the sky. But only the one who turns to God will take heed.” (40:13)
“And We sent down, from the rain clouds, pouring water that We may bring forth thereby grain and vegetation and gardens of entwined growth.” (78:14-16)
The Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto explains the miraculous property of water in his book ‘The Hidden Messages in Water’. He took fifteen years to bring out his findings on water in five volumes. He observes that to understand water is to understand the cosmos, the marvels of nature and life itself.
Allah has created the Earth, filling three fourth of it with water so that it is suitable for a comfortable life with moderate temperature. That is why we call it the blue planet. Those who learn about water cycle know the process of water being lifted from the seas in the form of vapour. It is by purifying that any water body, however contaminated or dirty it is, has been lifted to the sky. That is why we get pure water from rain. Can you imagine the condition of water that pours from clouds if this is not the case?It is not just from birth to death, even in life after death water has an important role to play in human life. Allah declares that the origin of life is water. “Did the unbelievers not realize that the heavens and the earth were one solid mass, then We tore them apart, and We made every living being out of water?” (Qur’an 21:30). We are also taught that Allah’s throne is on water. “He is the one who created the heavens and the earth in six days, while His throne was on water, so that He might test you as to who among you is better in deed.”(Qur’an 11:7). And what about the Heavens? Don’t They have rivers flowing underneath? And when the Creator and Sustainer wanted to start a great civilization at the centre of the Earth in Makkah, He began it by giving the Zamzam, which is still a wonder for scientists and researchers.
Water has an inseparable role in a believer’s life Water is the basis for cleanliness and the Prophet ﷺ taught that cleanliness is half of faith. Whenever a believer turns to the Lord for Salah (prayer) he has to perform ablution, an act of washing parts of the body with water. The Prophet ﷺ taught that with the flow of water while performing ablution, the sins committed by those parts are also cleaned off along with the dirt. The five times Salah (prayer) has been compared by the Prophet to taking bath from a running water five times. There are also occasions in the life of a believer when taking bath is compulsory. Giving water, not only to human beings but also to animals, birds, plants and trees has been considered as a good deed and the believers will be rewarded for that. The Prophet ﷺ taught his followers the story of a believer who got Paradise due to the act of giving water to a thirsty dog.
The greatness of the Creator
The Arabic word ‘maa’’ which means water comes sixty-three times in the Qur’an. The creation of water has been given as an example to show the Creator’s skill and power. “We sent down water from the sky in the right measure, and caused it to stay in the earth, and We have the power to cause it to vanish (in the manner We please). Then through water We caused gardens of date palms and vines to grow for you wherein you have an abundance of delicious fruits and from them you derive your livelihood.” (Qur’an 23:18-19)
The bountiful revelation
The revelation of the Qur’an itself was like the pouring of water from the sky. It became a nectar for those who were thirsty for goodness in the world. When that Holy Book poured from the sky part by part, just like giving water when a person is thirsty, taking a period of twenty-three years in the Arabian desert, it created a beautiful garden of good, refined and reformed people in the form of Khadija, Abu Bakr, Umar, Aisha, Sumayya and so on. Even today the greatest wonder of the Qur’an is that it fills the heart of believers with new life just as the rain causes the sprouting of new plants in a dry land. Water is essential to sustain life just as the Divine guidance through the Qur’an is essential to retain human culture and civilization. Having no rain is the sign of Allah’s wrath and punishment. So, the prayer for rain should begin with repentance. Because it is due to the acts of humans that rain becomes rare. “Corruption has spread on land and sea as a result of what people’s hands have done, so that Allah may cause them to taste the consequences of some of their deeds and perhaps they might return to the Right Path.” (Qur’an 30:41).
Believers are urged to abstain from all acts that lead to the anger of the Sustainer and ask for His benevolence. See the appeal of Prophet Nuh (AS) in the Qur’an. “And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a perpetual Forgiver. He will send rain from the sky upon you in continuing showers. And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.” (71:10-11). The people who rejected this appeal were punished through the same water that would otherwise have been a blessing, in the form of flood. Prophet Hud (AS) was also reminding his people on how to get the blessing from Allah in the form of water. “And O my people! Seek your Lord’s forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance. He will shower you with rain in abundance, and add strength to your strength. So do not turn away, persisting in wickedness.” (Qur’an 11:52).
Do not be extravagant The Qur’an teaches mankind to use water very carefully as per their need. “…Eat and drink and do not be extravagant. Surely He does not love the extravagant.” (Qur’an 7:31). Once the Prophet ﷺ saw Sa’ad (RA) performing ablution from a river. He rushed towards Sa’ad and asked him what an extravagance is this Sa’ad? Hearing this, the companion asked the Prophet(S): “Is there extravagance in performing ablution too?” The Prophet ﷺ replied saying, “even if it is from a running river you should use only what is required.” No lessons on environmental and economic issues could be more comprehensive than this
The lessons taught by water
Life in this world has an ending just as it has a beginning. Like how the plants which grow due to the rain wither away and dry in heat, one day we all will have to meet our end. The Qur’an says: “The example of worldly life is like the water we sent down from the sky, then the vegetation of the earth grew with it, which is (meant to be) eaten by men and cattle, until when the earth took on its ornament and was fully adorned, and its people thought that they had control over it, Our command came to it at night or by day, and We turned it into a stubble, as if it had not been there a day earlier.” (Qur’an 10:24). Similarly, just as there is an end to this world’s life, there definitely is rebirth. See how the Qur’an establishes the fact of the day of resurrection through the example of water. “And sent down abundant water from the clouds so that We may thereby bring forth grain and vegetation, and gardens dense with foliage? Indeed the Day of Final Decision is an appointed time.” (78: 14-17)
The Lord of the Day of Resurrection has the power to give life again to all mankind right from Adam (AS) who died and perished in this world and reward or punish mankind just like how rain causes the sprouting of new plantation on a land which was parched and there was no sign of life. “And the dwellers of the Fire will call to the dwellers of Paradise: ‘Pour on us some water or anything that Allah has provided you with.’ They will say: ‘Both (water and provision) Allah has forbidden to the disbelievers who took their religion as an amusement and play. And the life of the world deceived them.” (Qur’an 7:50-51). Allah urges humanity to think on the creation of water and show gratitude. “Did you cast a good look at the water that you drink? Is it you who brought it down from the clouds or is it We Who brought it down? If We had so pleased, We could have made it bitter. So why would you not give thanks?” (Qur’an 56:68-70). The Creator uses water for creation as well as destruction, for giving life as well as to end life.
Beware of the foams and bubbles The foams and bubbles that arise from water draw one’s immediate attention but are very transient. Similarly, we find foams and bubbles in the form of showing-off and boasting among human beings too. But we know that they can’t do any good in the long run. The lasting impression is created by the basic virtues like simplicity, humbleness, truthfulness, good character and so on, like clear water. Water teaches us to be clean and clear and not to be foams and bubbles because people get benefited from pure water. They draw towards it and will never go away from it.
Be like a running stream
The life of a believer shouldn’t be like stagnant water. Because, just as a stagnant water gets contaminated fast, if a person leads a life of idleness without learning or trying anything new, he will soon succumb to many diseases and will lose even the talents that he already possesses. Eventually, the individual becomes a burden and nuisance for others. Not just the body, even the mind of the idle person gets polluted. So, we need to be active in utilizing the talents we already possess and keep acquiring new talents. Water teaches us that it is not with time but ahead of that a believer should move.
The miraculous combination of opposites Water is formed by the combination of two opposite components namely Hydrogen and Oxygen. One that burns and the other that helps to burn. In the same way, our life is also a combination of opposites. Synchronization is the essence of human life. It is by the combination of two opposite natures, man and woman, that a beautiful family life begins. In order to get the right result, each component has to retain its basic nature. If one tries to become like the other there occurs conflict. A place for everyone and everyone in that place. This is a lesson that we need to learn from water. Instead of two molecules of Hydrogen if there is one or in place of one oxygen molecule if there are two, we will not get the miraculous result through the combination.
Diversity Water doesn’t have a shape or smell of its own. It changes its shape as per the container and the smell and taste as per the material with which it is mixed. If it gets mixed with good things, we get good smell and taste and vice versa. It’s a great lesson for us. We should be able to adapt to any kind of situation and with any kind of people so that we become useful to our fellow beings. But immersion or close intimacy should be with good people. Otherwise, there will be adverse effects on our character too. Water has no form. But it has the capacity to give life and take life. The Creator also doesn’t have any form. It shows that the might of power is not related to shape or figure. We can understand, experience and interact with our Lord without seeing Him in any form.
Only if the water is pure, it can clean others. Similarly, we need to be pure physically and mentally so that we can impart the duty of a good believer in the right manner.
Fruits differ The rain that falls from the sky is the same. But the result depends upon where it falls. In some places it results in the growth of plants and trees which give edible fruits and shade to all. But in some other places it remains stagnant and leads to the growth of mosquitoes and other insects which create nuisance for all. It fills the entire area with a foul smell. In some other places the rain water just flows away. Divine revelation that poured from the sky also has the same result. Some take lessons from it and become like good fruit bearing trees. “Have you not considered how Allah sets forth a parable of a good word like a good tree, whose root is firm and whose branches are in heaven. It produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord…” (Qur’an 14:24). Others deny the Divine Guidance outright and go astray.
Conclusion In an era of water scarcity, when many of our sisters walk for miles to draw water and rulers fight against each other for water bodies, it is our duty to spread the lessons on water from the Qur’an. Let us have a water policy at homes and educate our children also to develop the habit of minimum consumption and reuse so that the Earth will be a cooler place for coming generations.