Water Cycle in Islam (2/2)

The water in Islam is often linked to miracles, physical miracles or the miracle of the Faith.

The Prophet said, "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation.

(And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophets and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)"

[Hadith, Imam Malik: 001.003.079 - Knowledge - Narrated Abu Musa]

From the water (actually the male semen) comes everything that lives. This has been verified by modern scientists.

Water has really something of a miracle because it is the heart of life. Consider how many gallons of water our body is made of?

About 65% of our body contains water and we constantly drink and use water to clean our body from inside out. We drink an average of 2 ½ quarts (2.4L) of water per day. Our body is 2/3rd water by weight; our blood is 92% water; our brain is 75% water; our bones are 20% water.

“We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Anbiya’, 21:30]

“And Allah has created every animal from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills for verily Allah has power over all things.” [Qur’an, Surah An-Nur, 24:45]

“It is He Who has created man from a drop of water (semen): then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage: for thy Lord has power (over all things).” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Furqan, 25:54]

Water revives us when we are sick. Our Beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked to be basked into water when he was on his deathbed, so he could meet with his people fresh and revived.

Water is so essential to sustain life that one needs a strong faith in order to resist the urge of drinking when he is very thirsty. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) has put to the test several of his armies like the one of Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and the one of Talut’s battle:

“When Talut set forth with the armies, he said: "(Allah) will test you at the stream: if any drinks of its water, He goes not with my army: Only those who taste not of it go with me: A mere sip out of the hand is excused." but they all drank of it, except a few. When they crossed the river, - He and the faithful ones with him, - they said: "This day We cannot cope with Goliath and his forces." but those who were convinced that they must meet Allah, said: "How oft, by Allah’s will, Hath a small force vanquished a big one? Allah is with those who steadfastly persevere." [Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:249]

In Islam, a person who refuses water to a thirsty person or an animal can become the dweller of Hell in the Hereafter. On the contrary, a person who gives water can be granted Paradise just on account of that, even if the person has committed many sins before. So, refusing water to a living creature, in Islam, is considered really cruel and unworthy of a believer; it is one of the greatest sins.

The Prophet said, "A man saw a dog eating mud from (the severity of) thirst. So, that man took a shoe (and filled it) with water and kept on pouring the water for the dog till it quenched its thirst. So Allah approved of his deed and made him to enter Paradise.”

[Hadith Bukhari: 001.004.174 - Ablutions (Wudu') - Narrated Abu Huraira]

Water is closely related to Paradise.

One of the bounties of Paradise are gushing waters and springs that taste like honey.

“The righteous (will be) amid gardens and fountains (of clear-flowing water).” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Hijr, 15:45]

Another bounty of the Paradise is that the people who were thrown into Hell because of their sins but who were Muslims are revived with the water of Paradise, then they are reborn.

The Prophet said, "When the people of Paradise will enter Paradise and the people of Hell will go to Hell, Allah will order those who have had faith equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed to be taken out from Hell. So they will be taken out but (by then) they will be blackened (charred). Then they will be put in the river of Haya' (rain) or Hayat (life) (the Narrator is in doubt as to which is the right term), and they will revive like a grain that grows near the bank of a flood channel. Don't you see that it comes out yellow and twisted."

[Hadith Bukhari: 001.002.021 - Belief - Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri]

Finally, what is the practical lessons we, Muslims, can learn from the following story:

I heard Anas bin Malik saying, "On a Friday a person entered the main Mosque through the gate facing the pulpit while Allah's Apostle was delivering the Khutba. The man stood in front of Allah's Apostle and said, 'O Allah's Apostle! The livestock are dying and the roads are cut off; so please pray to Allah for rain.'" Anas added, "Allah's Apostle (Peace be upon him) raised both his hands and said, 'O Allah! Bless us with rain! O Allah! Bless us with rain! O Allah! Bless us with rain!'”

Anas added, "By Allah, we could not see any trace of cloud in the sky and there was no building or a house between us and (the mountains of) Sila."

Anas added, "A heavy cloud like a shield appeared from behind it (i.e. Sila' Mountain). When it came in the middle of the sky, it spread and then rained."

Anas further said, "By Allah! We could not see the sun for a week. Next Friday a person entered through the same gate and at that time Allah's Apostle was delivering the Friday's Khutba.

The man stood in front of him and said, 'O Allah's Apostle! The livestock are dying and the roads are cut off, please pray to Allah to with-hold rain.' "

Anas added, "Allah's Apostle I raised both his hands and said, 'O Allah! Round about us and not on us. O Allah! On the plateaus, on the mountains, on the hills, in the valleys and on the places where trees grow.' So the rain stopped and we came out walking in the sun." Sharik asked Anas whether it was the same person who had asked for the rain (the last Friday). Anas replied that he did not know. [Hadith Bukhari: 002.017.126 - Invoking Allah for Rain (Istisqaa) - Narrated Sharik bin 'Abdullah bin Abi Namir].