Water is one of the most profound elements in Islam as it is considered the source of all life. In fact, did you know that the word 'water' appears 63 times in the holy book of the Qur’an? However, what is so essential to our survival and well-being seems to be unattainable to a staggering 2.2 billion people on the globe.

This doesn’t seem quite right since this vital element is a blessing from Allah SWT. In a famous Hadith, our Prophet SAW was asked: “Which charity is best?” He replied, “[Providing] water.”(Abu Dawud)

So, giving water is the best possible gift we can give someone and the highest form of Sadaqat in Islam.

We all know that Sadaqat Jariyah is a blessed form of charity that comes with infinite benefits for us both in this life and in the Hereafter. It is the gift that keeps on giving. The small spark from which a flame may burst. And, if giving one glass of water is still the best Sadaqat. Can we imagine how many blessings we can earn by building a constant source of water for the ummah?

When you donate a water well or a water pump, you give the community a future. Since the ummah relies on water not only for drinking, but also for washing, cooking, hydrating their animals and watering their crops, your gift ensures a sustainable future for everyone in the community and for the community as a whole.

However, giving impoverished communities access to water is the best kind of Sadaqat Jariyah also because it enables the poor to fulfil their obligation to Allah SWT and perform wudhu. But giving water to our ummah has an even deeper meaning – our Prophet SAW reveals it by saying: “The Muslim ummah is like one body. If the eye is in pain, then the whole body is in pain and if the head is in pain, then the whole body is in pain.”

So, how can we separate ourselves from the struggles of our brothers and sisters when Allah SWT has made us in togetherness?

Having access to water is a fundamental human right and satisfying this right is the best kind of Sadaqat.

Allah says in the Qur’an, "And whoever saves one [a life], it is as if he had saved all of mankind."

(Quran, 5:32)