Water Conservation

Water is considered a mercy from Allah Almighty. We use the blessing of water as a source of growth, sustenance and purification.

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As one of the most important elements in nature, water is needed and required for almost all life and everything we do relies upon this wonderful element. Until we actually stop to think about it, it can be easy to take this natural resource for granted. While we do not always see or realise just how much water we waste on a daily basis; it is still something very valuable to life and something that many people around the world are lacking in and praying for.

Whilst we refrain from food and drink during the day in the month of Ramadan, quite often we still use excess water without realising. This may be through excess food preparation, washing and even when performing ablution. Water is a finite resource that is under pressure everywhere. Water wastage has a detrimental effect on our environment.

There are many ways in which we can save water in our daily routines, especially in the month of Ramadan

Turn the tap off whilst brushing our teeth before suhoor and after Iftar
During Ramadan, we tend to find half empty plastic water bottles being left in the mosque at night after prayers for caretakers to dispose of. Try not to leave bottles behind and make a conscious effort to finish the water in those bottles.
Opt for reusable water bottles to take with you to the mosque instead of single use plastic bottles.
Only perform wudu when required and be mindful of water that may be wasted, only open the tap partially.

“… And we send water down from the sky, in measure, and allocate it on Earth,
and lo! We are also able to withdraw it.”

Qur’an (23:18)

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was very conscious about wastage of water especially in performing wudu, in fact he warned about using excess water:

“A Bedouin came to the Prophet ﷺ to ask him about Wudu’, so he showed him how to perform Wudu’, washing each part three times, then he said: ‘This is Wudu’. Whoever does more than that has done badly, done to extremes and done wrong”
(Sunan Nisai)

He also advised us not to waste water “even if doing wudu on the banks of a fast-flowing river.”

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, passed by Sa’d while he was performing ablution. The Prophet ﷺ said, “What is this excess?” Sa’d said, “Is there excess with water in ablution?” The Prophet said, “Yes, even if you were on the banks of a flowing river.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah)

The amount of water the Prophet ﷺ himself used whilst performing wudu is also mentioned:

“The Prophet would perform ghusl with one sā’ to five mudd of water, and wudū with one mudd of water.”
(Sahih Bukhari)

During the time of the Prophet ﷺ, modern measurements were not used, instead, measurements such as mudd and sā’ were used. There is difference of opinion amongst scholars concerning the volume of these measurements during current times.

It is approximated that that one mudd is approx. 700ml. A sã” is four mudds which works out to be about 2800ml. So, the Prophet used to make wudhu with approximately 700ml of water and he used to use approximately 3 litres of water for bathing.