Providing water is the best form of charity
Allah Almighty has made providing water (Suqya al-Ma’) one of the most beautiful reasons for forgiveness and the expiation of sins, considering it a great charity that benefits every living being. The Almighty said: "And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?" [Al-Anbiya: 30].
Water is the secret of life, and providing it to those in dire need is considered one of the greatest acts of worship; through it, souls live and the wrath of Allah is extinguished. Is there anything more beautiful and rewarding than this work, which represents a true image of compassion among people?
Therefore, we present to you the lines of our article today to learn together about the importance of water provision projects, passing through some of the projects that can be adopted to obtain great reward and bounty from the Creator.
Table of Contents
Water Provision in the Qur’an and Sunnah
Providing water is considered one of the most beautiful charities that bring the believer closer to their Lord, as it holds great reward with Allah. It was described by the Prophet of Allah as the best of charities, and many Quranic verses and Prophetic Hadiths confirm the virtue of providing water.
Water Provision in the Qur’an
Several verses addressed the virtue of providing water and its impact on improving the lives of many in need, especially since water is the foundation of life, and providing it came as an expansive mercy from Allah.
The Almighty said: "And their Lord will give them a pure drink." [Al-Insan: 21]. This verse indicates the reward for providing water in Paradise, which Allah has promised them.
The Almighty said: "And We made from water every living thing." [Al-Anbiya: 30]. This verse indicates the importance of providing water in keeping everything alive.
The Almighty said: "So he watered [their flocks] for them; then he went back to the shade." [Al-Qasas: 24], which indicates the beauty of helping the needy and providing them with water.
Water Provision in the Sunnah
The Prophet of Allah emphasized that providing water is among the best charities in his saying: "The best charity is giving water to drink." (Narrated by Ibn Majah).
When the Prophet was asked about the best charity for the deceased, he said: "Providing water." This shows that it is one of the most beautiful charities for the deceased, carrying immense reward.
Providing water for animals also carries a reward. This was evident in the story of the man and the dog when Allah forgave a thirsty man who gave water to a panting dog, saying: "There is a reward for serving any living being."
Providing water in Makkah for pilgrims (Hajj and Umrah) carries a very high status and a great reward.
The Importance of Water Provision Projects
Water provision projects carry great reward and virtue, as they are acts of righteousness that bring the doer closer to the Great Creator and bring them sustenance and blessings.
Ongoing Charity (Sadaqah Jariyah)
Water provision projects are considered ongoing charity, the benefits of which continue even after the death of the donor. They benefit humans and animals alike and have great merit represented in the following:
Permanent and continuous reward as long as people drink a drop of water from it.
Renewed benefit that renews the reward until the Day of Resurrection.
Relieving the distress of people and saving them from thirst in areas suffering from water shortages.
Water Provision as Forgiveness for Sins
Providing water is a cause for erasing sins and transgressions and increasing good deeds, as it is a charitable act that demonstrates mercy for others and a desire to relieve their distress and help them toward a better, more stable life. The donor receives permanent reward until the Day of Resurrection.
The evidence for this is the following Hadith: On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "While a man was walking on a road, he became very thirsty. He found a well, went down into it, drank, and came out. There he saw a dog panting and eating moist earth due to thirst. The man said: 'This dog has reached the same state of thirst that I had reached.' So he went down the well, filled his shoe with water, held it in his mouth, climbed up, and gave the dog a drink. Allah thanked him and forgave him." In another narration: "A prostitute gave water to a dog, and Allah forgave her."
Water Provision Projects Achieve Sustainable Development
Water provision projects help achieve sustainable development by providing permanent long-term solutions through:
Providing clean drinking water permanently, which positively affects public health.
Securing permanent solutions whose impact lasts for generations.
Preventing diseases by ensuring water is always available.
Achieving economic development by providing water for agriculture and livestock, thus reaching food security, which will increase family incomes.
Reducing displacement, migration, and conflicts that used to arise due to the lack of water resources.
Positively impacting the educational process and increasing focus on work.
Water Provision Projects
Below we review forms and types of water provision projects that have a significant impact and great benefit:
Digging Wells
Digging wells is considered one of the best water provision projects, as it is the means for many to secure clean water to quench their thirst, especially in areas suffering from drought. Digging wells is one of the most beautiful humanitarian initiatives with lasting benefits. The most notable features of this project are:
It is an ongoing charity whose benefit lasts for many generations.
It helps ensure a better, more stable, and developed life.
It reduces the suffering of many women and children who spend hours daily searching for water.
A safe and permanent source of water helps improve public health and achieve food stability.
Mobile Water Supply
Mobile water projects refer to the distribution of clean drinking water to areas suffering from drought, mosques, and worker sites with the aim of quenching the thirst of many and providing them with safe and permanent water. The main features include:
Relieving the burden on workers in hot weather by distributing chilled water.
Ensuring water is permanently available in public places via refrigerators or tankers that transport water to cemeteries or mosques.
These projects provide sustainable solutions during water outage crises.
Mobile water is a form of ongoing charity that expresses the love of Muslims for one another, reflecting values of intimacy and mercy.
Water Coolers
Water coolers in public places are distinguished projects and initiatives aimed at providing clean, chilled drinking water to quench the thirst of passersby in extreme heat. Here are the most prominent benefits:
Permanent reward and bounty as long as people drink from the coolers.
Reducing the burdens of people and relieving their distress.
One of the most beautiful ongoing charities that brings sustenance and blessings to the donor.
Coolers are suitable for public places, making them the best solution for providing water to those present during the hot summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is providing water the best of charities?
Providing water is considered one of the best charities because its benefit is permanent, covers humans and animals, and brings blessings and sustenance to the donor. It also erases sins and increasing good deeds, and its reward remains even after the donor's death.
What did the Prophet say about providing water?
The Messenger of Allah said about providing water: "The best charity is giving water to drink."
Is providing water a charity?
Yes, providing water is one of the greatest and best charities, and it is considered an ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah) with much reward and permanent bounty.
