From the Land of Water to the Land of Drought

Living in the land of water – maritime islands, swampy areas, coastal areas, or tropical areas – should be a privilege, when somewhere beyond the country borders, lots of people living in arid lands with limited clean water exist. Allah Himself says in Qur’an (6:99),

“And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees – of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranate, similar yet varied; look at each of its fruit when it yields and at its ripening. Indeed, in that are signs for people who believe.”

This water pouring down from the sky, the plants we grow, the fruits we savour, these are all not really ours. These are God’s gifts that we have to share. Not only to His servants (Muslim), but also to other human beings or even animals and plants.

With almost 850,000 people dying from diarrhea each year, clean water is enormously demanded for the sake of people’s health in the developing countries. This problem of unsafe water causes the decrease of their immune system and those little children to be vulnerable to cholera and diarrheal illnesses. Not only the impact towards human’s health, the availability of clean water also leads to healthy livestock, more children in school, more people in jobs, improved agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.

Therefore, sharing this gift to the others living in the land of drought is a noble thing to do. It will save their lives, and also give us the reward of Amal Jariyah from Allah. Why? Because water would not go into waste. It gives either lives or joy.

Allahu a’lam bi as-shawab.