It was Narrated by 'Abdullah bin’ Amr:
The Messenger of Allah passed by Sa'd when he
was performing ablution, and he said: 'What is this
extravagance?’ He said: 'Can there be any extravagance in ablution?’ He said: 'Yes, even if you are
on the bank of a flowing river. (Ibn Majah,
1.1.425).
Thus, the above hadith exemplifies the sustainable use of water and explains even if we
have an abundant amount of water for usage one
should have a logical approach to its uses. This
knowledge of water conservation provided by the
qur'anic verses and hadiths need to be brought
into the light. Atallah et al. (2001) in their study
talk about raising the awareness of water conservation through mosques. They describe the
role of imams (Muslim leaders) in spreading the
awareness and reaching out to the people through
Khutbah Juma (preaching of Islamic teachings
on Friday noon prayers). The congregational
prayer invites several people and is a good platform for spreading the knowledge of water conservation and can be an effective source of
changing human behavior and attitudes towards
water conservation.
11.5 Conclusion
From the above discussion, it may be aptly
concluded that water is just not an essential element of survival in the Islamic tradition, it is also
regarded as a blessing from the almighty which
needs to be cherished and taken care of. As noted
in the verses of the Quran too, it has been
reminded quite a few times about respecting the
water resource as it is scarce and can be taken
back. The Qur’anic verses present the understanding of water being the source of life of
living creatures and also how water plays an
essential role in the growth of food crops and
livestock. The Quranic verses are also a source of
knowledge of various hydrological and oceanographic phenomena such as water cycle and
water stratification. The story of Hajar depicts the
notion of water being a precious resource. Her
struggle to find the water and later saving it for
the future portrays the sustainable usage of water.
From the Islamic religious perspective providing
someone clean drinking water is regarded as the
best form of charity and rewardable action. The
usage of water in religious practices such as
ablution teaches the basic principles of saving
water and minimizing its usage. Islamic teaching
on water conservation through formal or informal
discussions can play an effective role in adapting
new perspectives of water usage.
References
Ahmad H (2015) Islam and water: The Hajjar (RA) story
and guide. On Global One, London
An-Nasa'i S (n.d.) https://sunnah.com/nasai/30/56.
Accessed 10 June 2020
As-Salihin R (n.d.) https://sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/
12/8.Accessed 10 June 2020
Atallah S, Khan MA, Malkawi M (2001) Water conservation through public awareness based on Islamic
teachings in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Water
Management in Islam. United Nations University
Press, Tokyo, pp 49–60
Boyce M (1979) Zoroastrians: their religious belief and
practices. Routledge and Kegan Paul, London; Boston
Choksy JK (1989) Purity and pollution in Zoroastrianism:
triumph over evil. University of Texas Press, Austin
Eliade M (1958) Translated by Rosemary Sheed. Patterns
in comparative religion. Sheed and Ward, New York
Faruqui NI (2001) Introduction. In: Faruqui NI,
Biswas AK, Bino MJ (eds) Water management in
islam. United Nations University Press, Tokyo, pp 8–
14
Finneran N (2009) Holy waters: Pre-Christian and
Christian water association in Ethiopia. An archaeological landscape perspective. In: Oestigaard T
(ed) Water, culture and identity in the nile basin.
BRIC Press, Bergen, pp 165–187
Flemming HC (2008) Water: religion. mythology, art and
beauty
https://www.unidue.de/imperia/md/content/
waterscience/3821_12_ss08_water_religion_
mythology_art_beauty.pdf. Accessed 12 June 2020
Fletcher H (2018) Christian teachings on water. https://
www.faithinwater.org/uploads/4/4/3/0/44307383/
christian_teachings_on_water-greenfaith.pdf.
Accessed 14 June 2020
Ibn Majah S (n.d.) https://sunnah.com/urn/1254240.
Accessed 10 June 2020
Muslim S (n.d.) https://sunnah.com/muslim/2. Accessed
10 June 2020
Oestigaard T (2005) Water and World Religions: an
introduction. Centre for Development Studies. SFU &
SMR, Bergen
Singh RPB (1994) Water symbolism and sacred landscape in Hinduism: a study of Benares (Vārāṇasī)
154
R. S. Singh and S. Ahmad
The Messenger of Allah passed by Sa'd when he
was performing ablution, and he said: 'What is this
extravagance?’ He said: 'Can there be any extravagance in ablution?’ He said: 'Yes, even if you are
on the bank of a flowing river. (Ibn Majah,
1.1.425).
Thus, the above hadith exemplifies the sustainable use of water and explains even if we
have an abundant amount of water for usage one
should have a logical approach to its uses. This
knowledge of water conservation provided by the
qur'anic verses and hadiths need to be brought
into the light. Atallah et al. (2001) in their study
talk about raising the awareness of water conservation through mosques. They describe the
role of imams (Muslim leaders) in spreading the
awareness and reaching out to the people through
Khutbah Juma (preaching of Islamic teachings
on Friday noon prayers). The congregational
prayer invites several people and is a good platform for spreading the knowledge of water conservation and can be an effective source of
changing human behavior and attitudes towards
water conservation.
11.5 Conclusion
From the above discussion, it may be aptly
concluded that water is just not an essential element of survival in the Islamic tradition, it is also
regarded as a blessing from the almighty which
needs to be cherished and taken care of. As noted
in the verses of the Quran too, it has been
reminded quite a few times about respecting the
water resource as it is scarce and can be taken
back. The Qur’anic verses present the understanding of water being the source of life of
living creatures and also how water plays an
essential role in the growth of food crops and
livestock. The Quranic verses are also a source of
knowledge of various hydrological and oceanographic phenomena such as water cycle and
water stratification. The story of Hajar depicts the
notion of water being a precious resource. Her
struggle to find the water and later saving it for
the future portrays the sustainable usage of water.
From the Islamic religious perspective providing
someone clean drinking water is regarded as the
best form of charity and rewardable action. The
usage of water in religious practices such as
ablution teaches the basic principles of saving
water and minimizing its usage. Islamic teaching
on water conservation through formal or informal
discussions can play an effective role in adapting
new perspectives of water usage.
References
Ahmad H (2015) Islam and water: The Hajjar (RA) story
and guide. On Global One, London
An-Nasa'i S (n.d.) https://sunnah.com/nasai/30/56.
Accessed 10 June 2020
As-Salihin R (n.d.) https://sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/
12/8.Accessed 10 June 2020
Atallah S, Khan MA, Malkawi M (2001) Water conservation through public awareness based on Islamic
teachings in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Water
Management in Islam. United Nations University
Press, Tokyo, pp 49–60
Boyce M (1979) Zoroastrians: their religious belief and
practices. Routledge and Kegan Paul, London; Boston
Choksy JK (1989) Purity and pollution in Zoroastrianism:
triumph over evil. University of Texas Press, Austin
Eliade M (1958) Translated by Rosemary Sheed. Patterns
in comparative religion. Sheed and Ward, New York
Faruqui NI (2001) Introduction. In: Faruqui NI,
Biswas AK, Bino MJ (eds) Water management in
islam. United Nations University Press, Tokyo, pp 8–
14
Finneran N (2009) Holy waters: Pre-Christian and
Christian water association in Ethiopia. An archaeological landscape perspective. In: Oestigaard T
(ed) Water, culture and identity in the nile basin.
BRIC Press, Bergen, pp 165–187
Flemming HC (2008) Water: religion. mythology, art and
beauty
https://www.unidue.de/imperia/md/content/
waterscience/3821_12_ss08_water_religion_
mythology_art_beauty.pdf. Accessed 12 June 2020
Fletcher H (2018) Christian teachings on water. https://
www.faithinwater.org/uploads/4/4/3/0/44307383/
christian_teachings_on_water-greenfaith.pdf.
Accessed 14 June 2020
Ibn Majah S (n.d.) https://sunnah.com/urn/1254240.
Accessed 10 June 2020
Muslim S (n.d.) https://sunnah.com/muslim/2. Accessed
10 June 2020
Oestigaard T (2005) Water and World Religions: an
introduction. Centre for Development Studies. SFU &
SMR, Bergen
Singh RPB (1994) Water symbolism and sacred landscape in Hinduism: a study of Benares (Vārāṇasī)
154
R. S. Singh and S. Ahmad