Samar Yahya

 

Wise use of our natural resources and the preservation of the common good is a key principle of natural resource management in Islam. We as Muslims must preserve and appreciate the blessings that we have, mainly water and food.

 

Water



Water fulfils many functions in our society. Early civilizations were concentrated in river basins, such as the Nile, Ganges, Tigris and Euphrates river basins, since people cannot live without water supply.

It is a matter of fact that life on earth could not be possible without the presence of water.



The preservation of fresh water was always regarded as of fundamental importance since the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him).



All living species are dependant on water. Water is a life sustaining and purifying resource. According to the Quran, the origin of every living thing is from water.



“And We have made from water every living thing.” (Chapter 21, verse 30)

 

Three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, of this, 94% is in the form of salt water and 6% can be found in rivers, springs, wetlands, underground aquifers and glaciers.



In our daily routine we use large quantities of water to wash our cars. Spending more than half an hour in the shower is a ludicrous waste of water, and we even waste water when we perform the ritual washing, ablution or wudu, when only a small quantity of water could have sufficed.



Water needs to be used efficiently, and at the same time, we need to protect out water resources.



“And we send down water from the sky (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are able to take it away”.  (Chapter 23, verse 18)



How can we help?



We can help conserve water by making simple changes in our daily routines.

 

• Open the tap as little as possible, to the minimum required flow.


• Brush teeth and perform ablution with a minimum flow at the tap.


• Take quicker showers.


• Avoid talking or other distractions while gardening, washing car or other activities, which consume lots of water.


• Use appliances like washing machines and dish washers only when they have a full load.


• Keep in mind that cleanliness does not depend on the quantity of water we use.
  
   
  
  
  
  

Food



Good health is the key to a happy life; a healthy mind is in a healthy body. Therefore, it is necessary that we eat good nutritious food but not in excess quantities. Excessive eating is abhorred in Islam. As much as we have to consider our health, we also have to consider the poor people in our own communities and across the globe.



“O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess”. (Chapter 7, verse 31)



Our excess food that often goes to waste could have been a life saving meal for another person somewhere else in the world.



Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Nothing is worse than a person who fills his stomach. It should be enough for the son of Adam to have a few bites to satisfy his hunger. If he wishes more, it should be: One-third for his food, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath.”



In the sense of retaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle we need to eat simple and nutritious food and not to overfill our stomach.



How can we help?

 

• In general, reduce the overall quantity of food consumed; it is good for the body and a good Islamic practice.


• When eating out, order less quantity than you think you need.


• If you have leftovers, pack the excess food and take home.


• On the same day of having leftovers, distribute the clean, untouched food. Pack it in a very decent and appealing manner and give it to the poor and needy.
  
  
  
   

Think long and hard before you buy that extra loaf of bread or king-sized burger or an extra large jar of cream cheese. We must do our part to help reduce the roughly 40 percent of food that goes uneaten every year in many regions worldwide, while other regions suffer from poverty and hunger.



Islam itself is a balanced way of life that is pure from all sorts of excesses in any form. This is why a balanced diet fits beautifully into the teachings of Islam. Islam prescribes a wholesome, balanced lifestyle.



Islam teaches us other etiquettes of eating and drinking. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) asked his companions to not eat unless they felt hungry, and even then not to eat and drink excessively.



The importance of preserving water and food should be a main goal for all Muslims.