Great virtues have been cited for providing water and creating water generating facilities that become a means of perpetual reward and benefit the donor in this life and after death.

Once Sa’d bin ‘Ubada (Radi Allahu Anhu) said: “O Rasulullah, Umm Sa’d, my mother has passed away, what is the best charity to do for her ?” Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Water.” So Sa’d dug a well and said: “This is for Umm Sa’d”. (Abu Dawood)

Similarly, a very thirsty man went down a well and drank water from it. On his return he saw a dog panting due to excessive thirst.

The man went down the well, filled his shoe with water and provided the water to the dog. Allah Ta’ala accepted this great deed and forgave his sins.

Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Sadaqah extinguishes sin just as water extinguishes fire.” (Tirmizi)

Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his Sadaqah.” (Ahmad)

In the current climate of severe water shortage, Muslims should seize the opportunity and show mercy towards humans, animals and all living beings by providing water where they can.

Consider the following suggestions :

1. Boreholes

2. Water tankers/trailers

3. Jo-jo tanks

4. Bottled water

Benefits of Istighfar

Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “If anyone constantly seeks forgiveness from Allah, Allah will make for him a way out of every distress and a way out from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he did not expect.” (Abu Dawood)

A man complained to Hasan Al-Basri (rahimahullah) about a drought, Hasan Basri said to him: “Make Istighfar.”

Another man complained to him of poverty and he said to him: “Make Istighfar.”

Another man said to him: “Pray to Allah to bless me with a child.” He said: “Make Istighfar.”

Another complained to him that his garden was dry. He said to him: “Make Istighfar.”

When asked how the remedy for all was the same, he said, “This is not my personal opinion - Allah says in Surah Nuh, “Ask forgiveness from your Rabb, verily, He is Most Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance and give you increase in wealth and children and bestow you with gardens and bestow you with rivers.” Tafseer al-Qurtubi

Nabi (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to say: ‘Astaghfirullah! Astaghfirullah! (I beseech Allah for forgiveness, I beseech Allah for forgiveness)’.” (Muslim)

“Surely Allah loves those who constantly turn to Him in repentance and those who keep themselves pure” (Surah Baqarah – V 222)

Darul Ihsan Centre