Islamic Ethics on Water: Selections from the Hadith, Part 1 of 2

Today, it is a privilege to share selections from Book 42 of Sahih al-Bukhari, a collection of the Hadith compiled by Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari and translated by Dr. M. Muhsin Khan. These teachings expound on water as a Divine gift and a fundamental need for all life, whereby its distribution must be accessible to all living beings.

Book 42 Water Distribution

“The Statement of Allah the Most High: ‘… And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe.’ And His Statement: ‘Then tell me about the water that you drink. Is it you who cause it from the rainclouds to come down, or are We the Causer of it to come down? If We willed, We verily could make it salt (and undrinkable), why then do you not give thanks (to Allāh)?’”

Chapter 1 Giving water in charity, or as a gift, and whoever thinks that giving water in charity, or as a gift, or by way of a testament is permissible, whether it is divided or not.

“Narrated ‘Uthman (May Allah be pleased with Him) The Prophet Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him said, ‘Who will buy the well of Rūmah (a well-known well in Al-Madina) (and endow it for the good of Muslims) so that he may use it as the other Muslims do without any privilege?’ ‘Uthman (May Allah be pleased with Him) bought it.” […]

Chapter 9 The superiority of providing waterِ Sahih al-Bukhari 2363

“Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) said, ‘While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, “This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.’ The people asked, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him)! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?’ He replied, ‘Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate.’”