Causes and Effects of Water Pollution-its Remedies in the Light of Seerah

پانی کی آلودگی کے اسباب و اثرات - سیرت طیبہ کے تناظر میں ان کا تدارک

Abstract

Water is one of the great blessings of Allah Almighty. The concept of life is impossible without water. Through water, Allah Almighty has blessed us with all kinds of trees, crops and fruit. Quran Al-Hakim refers to the water sent down from the sky as Ma’h Tahoor (the pure water). It is a clear declaration of the fact that the original quality of water is purity. Therefore, any kind of impurity in this water affects its original quality i.e. purity. This pure water has been stated in the Holy Quran as sweetness and blessing. In modern times, the quality of water has been significantly affected due to several factors such as leather industries without treatment plants, lack of proper management of sewage system, lack of water in rivers and canals, throwing garbage into rivers, use of pesticides on crops, global warming, and deforestation. Similarly, ocean water, though abundant, is being polluted due to oil leakage from ships and flow of polluted river water into oceans. This polluted water affects human health and causes many diseases such as hepatitis B and C, numerous stomach and skin diseases. Grains, vegetables and fruit grown in polluted water are also harmful to human as well as marine health. 

The problem of water pollution can be solved in the light of the Seerah of the holy prophet (PBUH). He (PBUH) forbade urinating while standing or into standing water, and said after urinating in standing water, one should neither perform ablution nor bathe in it. He (PBUH) instructed more caution if the water is little. It has been ordered that more water comes under the order of abundant water and flowing water, and no impurity will be imposed on it, provided that the taste of the water does not change. He (PBUH) said that the water will stay pure given it doesn’t change smell, taste or color by the impurity falling into it. Imam Baihaqi has quoted a Hadith in the chapter of abundant water that the water of a well will remain pure even if an impurity falls into it and nothing will impure it. The Prophet (PBUH) ordered the water pots to be covered and the openings of the leather bags to be tied. 

In modern times, it is necessary that we should avoid water pollution and use clean water. Awareness campaigns for the use of pure and clean water should be launched, water treatment plants should be installed, and rain water should be harvested. We can also avoid water pollution through a proper sewage and garbage disposal system. Clean water is the reason for our physical and spiritual purity. Therefore, we should adopt the habit of using pure water as it is ordered in the Holy Quran and Seerah. In the hilly areas pure water of waterfalls and springs should be used. In the plains, filtered water must be used. In the complete article these matters will be discussed.