From Droplets to Oceans.
Water: More Than a Blessing, A Divine Necessity.
"Say, 'Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken [into the earth], then who could bring you flowing water?' (Surah Al-Mulk, Verse 30)
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Have you ever munched on a crunchy, ripe fruit and wondered what was that crucial element essential in turning it's seed into this delicious treat in the palms of your hands? Or coming back drenching in sweat from the hot summer sun only to sip on some fresh lemonade as it quenched your thirsty throat?
Water. 💧
Can you possibly imagine your life without it?
Infact, numerous studies have proven that a human can only survive without water for about roughly three days after which the body starts to show serious signs of dehydration which worsen to organ failure and eventually lead to death.
Allah speaks about His creation, water in the Quran in a variety of ways, from it serving as a reward or a punishment to it being the building block of all living things.
- Water: The essence of our existence
The Quran reminds us, 'And Allah has created from water every living creature. Some of them crawl on their bellies, some walk on two legs, and some walk on four. Allah creates whatever He wills. Surely Allah is Most Capable of everything.' (Surah An-Nur, Verse 45)
Reflect on how we were created from nothing but merely a fluid, setting the base for the complex process of life to begin. The embryo, encapsulated in an amniotic sac composed of liquid, develops and grows into a baby, protected and cushioned by this life-sustaining water, not only this but it also provides the essential nutrients for the fetus to thrive.
Did We not create you out of a humble fluid which We then let remain in [the womb's] firm keeping for a term pre-ordained?
Thus, have We determined [the nature of man's creation]: and excellent indeed is Our power to determine [what is to be]! (Surah Al-Mursalat, Verse, 20–23)
Every little cell in your body, every function in your body relies on water. Each ounce of blood which carries within it oxygen and nutrients is made up of water. Our brain, the control center of our body is composed of 75% water. How then can you ever imagine depriving yourself of this liquid?
2. Water: A manifestation of Allah's mercy
Allah says in the Quran, "And it is He who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy, and We send down from the sky pure water, that We may bring to life thereby a dead land and give it as drink to those We created of numerous livestock and men." (Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 48 -49)
Rain in itself is a profound symbol of Allah's boundless mercy and compassion. The showers of water that pour down from the sky, replenishes the barren areas of land into lush, ever-green fields blooming with life.
The next time you eat any sort of fruit, vegetable or grain think back to how the farmer who sowed the seed hoped for rain to nourish his crops, in order to provide food for his family and the whole community. This same water is not just the very means of our existence but also provides for countless other living things!
The sweet spring water gushes forth from between the mountains, cliffs and rocks providing us with fresh water to drink from and cleanse ourselves.
Every waterfall current that flows from the top to bottom, as constant as Allah's presence in our lives, is a reflection of His ever-lasting mercy pouring upon us each day and night despite the uncountable sins we commit.
Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:
Have you considered the water you drink? Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or is it We Who do so? If We willed, We could make it salty. Will you not then give thanks? (Surah Al-Waqi'ah, Verse 68–70)
3. Water: A sign of Allah's Great Power and Wisdom
Water is only a source of life and provision but also a sign of Allah's infinite knowledge and wisdom. It serves as sign of Allah's ability to bring life to death, whether it be the barren land turning into vibrant and fertile ground or resurrecting humans back to life on the day of judgement.
As Allah calls us to reflect,
He is the One Who sends the winds ushering in His mercy. When they bear heavy clouds, We drive them to a lifeless land and then cause rain to fall, producing every type of fruit. Similarly, We will bring the dead to life, so perhaps you will be mindful. (Surah Al-A'raf, Verse 57)
Moreover, the vast water sources- ranging from deep oceans to serene lakes, mighty rivers to gentle springs, each showcase Allah's creativity. Each water body has its own unique system and carries within it uncountable forms of life.
Allah asks us further to ponder upon how crops, grapevines, palm trees watered by the same rain in the same vicinity produce fruits of different quality?
And on the earth, there are ˹different˺ neighboring tracts, gardens of grapevines, ˹various˺ crops, palm trees - some stemming from the same root, others standing alone. They are all irrigated with the same water, yet We make some taste better than others. Surely in this are signs for those who understand. (Surah Ar-Ra'd , Verse 4)
4. Water: An analogy for faith and life
Just as water at its purest is crystal clear and important for our well-being, in the same way our soul and heart require the same level of purity enveloped within them. As Allah says in the Quran,
And He sent down upon you from the sky, rain by which to purify you and remove from you the evil of Satan and to make steadfast your hearts and plant firmly thereby your feet. (Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 11)
Allah describes how the deeds of a disbeliever are like a mirage, deceiving them with false hope. On the day of judgement, they will be the ones who will confront the severe consequences of their actions.
As for the disbelievers, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert, which the thirsty perceive as water, but when they approach it, they find it to be nothing. Instead, they find Allah there ˹in the Hereafter, ready˺ to settle their account. And Allah is swift in reckoning. (Surah An-Nur, Verse 39)
Allah compares His Book, the Qur'an to the ocean. When you jump into the ocean, you will come out drenched, but all you experienced are the few drops that touched your body. You can dive deeper and deeper but all you will only experience are a few drops from the vast ocean.
For someone to dive in and claim they experienced the entire ocean is foolish. More so to think you will experience the same drops every time you dive therein is also foolish. This parable between the Quran and ocean is incredible! I will dive into the Qur'an my entire life and all I will ever experience are a few drops from the depths of its wisdom. -Nouman Ali Khan
5. Water: A heavenly blessing
In the Quran, water is depicted to be a special gift reserved for the righteous in the form of flowing streams and rivers of milk, honey and pure wine to drink from.
The description of Paradise which the righteous are promised is that beneath it rivers flow; its provision is eternal and so is its shade. That is the consequence for the righteous...(Surah Ar-Ra'd, Verse, 35)
The flowing rivers are a symbol of reward for those who remained steadfast and patient in times of enduring hardship liiving in this temporary world, bringing with it spiritual fulfillment and eternal bliss.
6. Water: A destructive means
While more often water is a source of life and a symbol of Allah's infinite mercy it can also act incredibly rebellious and dangerous against those who transgress His boundaries being a symbol of Divine justice. One of the most eye-opening examples of water as a punishment is illustrated in the story of Prophet Nuh (AS). The people of Nuh rejected his message and continued in their sinful ways, despite repeated warnings. In response to their disobedience, Allah unleashed a devastating flood:
And when Our command came and the oven burst ˹with water˺,1 We said ˹to Noah˺, "Take into the Ark a pair from every species along with your family - except those against whom the decree ˹to drown˺ has already been passed - and those who believe." But none believed with him except for a few. (Surah Hud, Verse 40)
One's heart shivers at the thought of how raging, boiling water would be used as a divine punishment for those who will abide in Hellfire forever as Allah describes the horrific scenes of Hellfire in the Qur'an,
And say, ˹O Prophet, ˺ "˹This is˺ the truth from your Lord. Whoever wills let them believe, and whoever wills let them disbelieve." Surely We have prepared for the wrongdoers a Fire whose walls will ˹completely˺ surround them. When they cry for aid, they will be aided with water like molten metal, which will burn ˹their˺ faces. What a horrible drink! And what a terrible place to rest! (Surah Al-Kahf, Verse 29)
7. Water: Cleansing the body and soul
The emphasis on maintaining cleanliness is regarded as an essential part of faith. Water holds great importance in acting as both, a means for physical cleanliness and spiritual purity in the form of Wudu. Each act of ablution is a moment to renew our intentions and let the burden of sins fall away like leaves in autumn.
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles." (Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 6)
Beyond this simple yet rewarding act of wudu is another called ghusl, which includes a full-body purification after various situations that bring in impurity on one's body.
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) likened the act of seeking forgiveness to the cleansing power of water:
Have you seen if there was a river by the door of one of you and he bathed in it five times a day, would there be any filth left on him?" They said, "No filth would be left." The Prophet said, "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
As you go about your day, let the presence of water in your life serve as a gentle reminder of Allah's infinite mercy and the interconnectedness of all creation. Allow its significance to inspire you to live with gratitude as you imagine the gentle touch of water drops against your skin, the soothing sound of rain as it nourishes the earth and the sip of a refreshing drink on a hot day. Each of these moments remind us of how immensely Allah has blessed us with His limitless blessings.
As we turn on our taps full of running water, let us be mindful of those who are not so fortunate and strive to be a source of relief for them💧
