Water In Islam: Benefits, Mentions & Drinking Advice
Did you know that 75% of the human brain is water, and 75% of a living tree is water. Water is the key to all life and nearly three quarters of the earth's surface is H2O.
Water has a similar significance in Islam and is a central theme, promising believers in Islam a hereafter filled with flowing streams and pure water.
Where is water mentioned in the Quran? 📖
"Are the disbelievers not aware that the heavens and the earth used to be joined together and that God ripped them apart, that He made every living thing from water?" [16:10–16]
It is He who sends down water for you from the sky, from which comes a drink for you, and the shrubs that you feed to your animals. With it He grows for you grain, olives, palms, vines, and all kinds of other crops. There truly is a sign in this for those who reflect [21:30]
He sends water down from the sky to restore the earth to life after death. There truly are signs in this for those who use their reason. [30:23-24]
In the above verses, we can see that Allah refers to water in the creation of man, as a means of providing life and as a gift from God. It is one of the signs of his existence. In other chapters, there are more mentioned miracles, such as the separation of fresh water from salt water with a natural barrier.
What are the health benefits of water? 💧
There are many benefits of staying hydrated and it's seen as one of the foundational things for maintaining overall bodily and mental health, given just how much of our body (60%) is comprised of it.
- It maximises physical performance: Water helps with body temperature control through sweat, so dehydration can lead to exercise feeling more difficult
- It affects brain function: Even slight dehydration (1-3% of a person's body weight) can reduce brain function and increase the chances of headaches and weaken concentration
- It can help relieve constipation: Low water consumption can be known to increase the risk of infrequent bowel movements and constipation in the young and old
- It can relieve kidney stones: Higher levels of water intake increases the volume of urine being processed by the kidneys, which dilutes the concentration of minerals and prevents build up
How much water should I drink? 🚰
According to the National Health Service (NHS) you should drink between 6 and 8 cups or glasses of water a day. This is equivalent to around 3.7l of water a day for men, and 2.7l for women.
It is possible to drink too much water (known as hyponatremia) because of a process called osmosis, and in the most extreme of cases, it can lead to precious salts flowing out from cells.
How should I drink water as a Muslim? 🤲
There is a certain way to drink water according to the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We can learn how to do this by following practices from authentic narrations or hadith:
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said: "Do not drink directly from a water pitcher (or any water container)". (Sahih Bukhari)
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said: "When commencing to drink first recite Bismillah." (Hadith Tirmidhi)
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, "Never eat and drink with the left hand because Shaytaan (Satan) eats with the left hand." (Sahih Muslim)
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said: "Sit down and drink." (Sahih Muslim)
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, "Do not drink water only in one breath, but drink it in two or three breaths.
Abdullah Bin Abbas narrates the Prophet of Allah (SAWS) said, "Do not blow from your mouth into food and water."
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said: "Recite 'Bismillah' before drinking and say 'Alhamdulillah' after drinking."
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