Saving Water is a duty of care

Saving Water is a duty of care

Hafiz Muhammad Shariq

Water is essential to life on earth. It plays an important role in the life of all species on the earth. Not only for life but also needed for personal cleanliness, and general hygiene. It is also indispensable to agriculture and industry. Thus, water is a crucial concern for planet earth and its inhabitants.

Although every existence on Earth depends on the water, But unfortunately we are not aware about the importance of this precious element. Today, the Water scarcity is increasing across the world, especially in developing countries. A report issued by United Nations Development Program 2006 (UNDP) shows that nearly 1 billion people in the developing world don't have access to it. And 2.7 billion experience water scarcity at least one month a year. And more than 3.4 million people die each year from water, sanitation, and hygiene-related causes. The report also warns that, by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may be facing water shortages. It is all about the only 0.3% of water which is available on the earth for us. But Despite it all the extremely sad reality is that we are a lot more careless in recent time, and we waste more water than ever before. Many people are oblivious or careless when it comes to saving water.

As a universal Messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad S.A.W gives us instructions about every aspect of life; it is not surprising that he takes the issue of water and its conservation very seriously and Like other necessities of life. Moreover, In Islam, We are reminded that, “We made from water every living thing,” (Al- Anbiyaa:30). Prophet Muhammad S.A.W enjoined several times to conserve water.

 The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has ordered the Ummah to save water and not to waste it. It has been narrated that once the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) passed by his companion Hadhrat Sa'ad (May Allah be well pleased with him) when he was performing wuzu (procedure for washing parts of the body using water). He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: What wastage is this? Hadhrat Sa'ad said: Is there wastage in wuzu also? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Yes, even if you are at a flowing river.  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol 1, Pg No: 34)

On another occasion the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Do not waste (water), do not use more water than you need it. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol 1, Pg No: 34)

In the light of these Hadiths, we all should take our duties to reduce our water consumption more seriously. As we save money for our future, we have to save water for ourselves and for our future. To conserving water, small adjustments can have a big impact. Here are some tips for easy ways to conserve water in the home and garden, and water conservation products:

Tips:

1. Check for leaks, especially faulty washers, and repair them!
2. Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth
3. Add a water hippo (or any other harmless heavy object you can find!) to the water tank of your toilet to reduce the amount of water used to flush it.
4. Wash your dishes without use of the dishwasher. If you do need to use a dishwasher, make sure it is completely full before you turn it on. Keep showers short and baths to a minimum.
5. Put faucet aerators on sink faucets.
6. Never clean your car at the car wash - hand washing saves you money and water.
7. Take water in glass/cup as needed. Don’t throw out the remaining water. Use it for anything else.
8. Use a watering can in the garden - hosepipes use up to 540 liters of water an hour (which is a lot when you consider a watering can only holds around 10 liters)
9. Check you water bills to monitor you family’s water consumptions. Re-look your family consumptions if it’s more than average.
10. Share these water-saving tips and discuss water efficiency at team meetings, identifying where water usage can be reduced.

Remember! Today we are wasting water as there we have a large amount of water. But we must think on this issue for the sake of our kids, our planet and ourselves or it would be difficult to live.

Every drop of water is precious and start conserving water 

before it is too late.