WATER AS SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT

WATER AS SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT Respect Nature W ATER is a great boon for life. And the greater the boon, the greater the conservation required. Without water life could not exist on Earth. Without water, there could be no development of a civilization. In the absence of water, the Earth would become barren like other planets in the solar system and beyond. It is this reality towards which the Quran points the reader when it asks: ‘Have you considered if your water were to sink into the ground, who could then bring you flowing water?’ (67: 30) The importance of water cannot be overstated. Up to 60 per cent of the body of an adult human comprises of water. The Quran says that God has made every living thing out of water (21: 30). Abdul Rahim Khane-Khana was an important minister and poet during the Mughal rule in India. A line from one of his poems is: Rahiman pani rakhiyo bin pani sab soon—O Rahim, preserve water, as without water there is nothing! It is a fact that water is a great bounty bestowed by the Creator on us. If we look at it in this perspective, we realize what a great source of spirituality water is, as it reminds us of the merciful Creator. This important natural resource evokes the spirit of gratitude. Human life is so very dependent on water that our reliance on it repeatedly brings to mind the Creator. According to Islam, the quality most desired in a person is his willingness to acknowledge the Creator. If a person truly discovers the value of water, he will see it as a source of spiritual nourishment. Water is a symbol of the virtues of peace, tolerance and the giving spirit, traits that human beings need to develop. If a spiritual culture is fostered in human society, its every member will take great care to not waste water. Such people will make sustainable use of this precious resource. The realization of the importance of water will tell one how to manage water properly. The Prophet of Islam laid great emphasis on conserving water. He once observed someone using water extravagantly and advised him to be very cautious in its use. The person in question asked if we needed to be meticulous even while using water. The Prophet replied: “Yes, do not waste water, even if Water is a symbol of the virtues of peace, tolerance and the giving spirit, traits that human beings need to develop. If a spiritual culture is fostered in human society, its every member will take great care to not waste water.