Charity of Water During the Dry Season

Introduction

A prolonged dry season often brings severe trials for many of our brothers and sisters. The scorching sun, dry and dusty air, dried-up fields, and dried-up household wells cut off clean water supplies. Household chores are disrupted, and the livelihood of many farmers is halted due to crop failure. It is in times like these that we realize how precious the blessing of water is—a blessing we often take for granted.

In the Qur’an, Allah SWT repeatedly emphasizes that water is the primary source of life:

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاۤءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّۗ اَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ

Meaning: "…and We made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?" (QS. Al-Anbiyā`: 30)

Allah also invites humanity to reflect on the blessing of clean, drinkable water:

اَفَرَءَيْتُمُ الْمَاۤءَ الَّذِيْ تَشْرَبُوْنَۗ ءَاَنْتُمْ اَنْزَلْتُمُوْهُ مِنَ الْمُزْنِ اَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنْزِلُوْنَ لَوْ نَشَاۤءُ جَعَلْنٰهُ اُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُوْنَ

Meaning: “Have you seen the water that you drink? Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down? If We willed, We could make it salty (and bitter), so why are you not grateful?” (QS. Al-Wāqi’ah: 68-70)

One of the best ways to express gratitude for the abundance of water we enjoy is by sharing it with those in need through water charity.

Three Extraordinary Virtues of Water Charity

Providing water for those who are thirsty or for regions struck by drought holds immense virtues in the sight of Allah SWT and His Messenger.

1. The Most Virtuous Charity

When the mother of the companion Sa’d bin Ubadah radhiyallahu ‘anhu passed away, he wished to dedicate a continuous charity (sadaqah jariyah) on her behalf. He asked the Prophet SAW:

يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ أُمِّي مَاتَتْ أَفَأَتَصَدَّقُ عَنْهَا؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ، قُلْتُ: فَأَيُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ: سَقْيُ الْمَاءِ

Meaning: “O Messenger of Allah, my mother has passed away. May I give charity on her behalf?” The Prophet replied, “Yes.” Sa’d asked again, “Which charity is the most virtuous?” The Prophet answered, “Providing water.” (HR. An-Nasai No. 3664)

2. A Special Drink in Paradise

Every drop of water we provide to ease someone’s thirst in this world will be rewarded by Allah with the best drink in the Hereafter:

أَيَّمَا مُسْلِمٍ سَقَى مُسْلِمًا عَلَى ظَمَأ سَقَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الرَّحِيقِ الْمَخْتُومِ

Meaning: “Whichever Muslim gives a drink to another Muslim who is thirsty, Allah will give him to drink from Ar-Rahiq Al-Makhtum (sealed pure drink in Paradise).” (HR. Abu Daud No. 1682)

3. A Means of Forgiveness and Entry to Paradise

Charity of water, even to creatures other than humans, carries weight on the Scales. We have often heard the authentic narration about a man who took pity on a thirsty dog and gave it water using his leather sock. The Prophet SAW stated that because of his action:

فَشَكَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ فَغَفَرَ لَهُ. قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّ لَنَا فِي الْبَهَائِمِ أَجْرًا؟ قَالَ: فِي كُلِّ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أَجْرٌ

Meaning: "…so Allah thanked him and forgave him." The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, do we get a reward for serving animals?” He replied, “There is a reward for serving any living being (with a moist liver).” (HR. Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Concrete Forms of Water Charity

Water charity is not limited to distributing bottled water or emergency water trucks to drought-hit areas. The benefit multiplies when it is realized in the form of long-term projects, such as:

• Drilling Wells: Constructing deep borewells in dry communities so water remains continuously available for daily needs.
• Building Reservoirs/Water Pools: Similar to Sa’d bin Ubadah who built pools to collect water for the people of Medina.

Water Charity as a Means of Healing

In Siyar A’lam an-Nubala’ (8/408), Imam adz-Dzahabi recorded that a man complained of a knee wound that had not healed for 7 years to the scholar Ibnul Mubarak. After various medical treatments failed, Ibnul Mubarak advised him:

“Go and dig a well in a place where people are in desperate need of water. I hope that water will gush forth there and stop the bleeding of your wound.”

The man did so, and by Allah’s leave, his knee wound healed completely after the well was dug.

Conclusion

Charity of water during the dry season may seem simple to us, but in the sight of Allah SWT, this deed is of grand status. It is a tangible manifestation of social solidarity (ukhuwah) and a proof of our piety. In this dry season, let us unite to alleviate the burden of our brothers and sisters who lack water, so that Allah SWT may also quench our thirst on the Day of Resurrection.

Adapted from the Friday Sermon by Ustadz Sodiq Fajar (Dakwah.id).