Mentions and Meaning of Water in Qur'an al Kerim

Water appears in Qur'an al Kerim as a circulating entity. It streams through earth, and through living and dead creatures. It serves as a nutrient and building element. It is carried by clouds and in larger streams; on, and through, earth. It is an independent element, and it is no integral part of the earth, or the organism. Yet, without water, a living organism just dies and dries out. And vice versa, earth 'comes to life' thanks to water, because both earth and water are living creatures' building materials. This basic fact of life and nature, is used as a metaphor for beginning and end of each creation, among which humanity and Earth. The metaphor of water may exhort humans to do their best in the life that is granted them, and it may fill them with a sense of gratitude. Water may come and go, and shouldn't be taken for granted. Hail and snow aren't ignored, as shows ayat 24:43. Water is important element of the entire system of nature, where each element has its exact place and, directly or indirectly, serves all others.

Apparently, water has existed since eternity, without first beginning, as says ayat 11:6.

Water is a carrier of small particles of different minerals and other solid goods from the Earth and from living creatures. Their quantities and qualities differ per lake, sea, or ocean, depending on the land on which the water flows, and depending on the time spent at location. Rain water comes fresh from the sky and is relatively pure, whereas water in the deeper parts of the ocean may have been there for centuries and will contain many small earth, plant, and animal particles. Hence, vast bodies of different seas meet, at several spots on Earth, but they don't easily mingle. Qur'an describes these phenomenons in some of the verses below.  

These are some of the many Qur'anic verses about water:

'The similitude of the life of the world is only as water which We send down from the sky, then the earth's growth of that which men and cattle eat mingleth with it till, when the earth hath taken on her ornaments and is embellished, and her people deem that they are masters of her, Our commandment cometh by night or by day and We make it as reaped corn as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do we expound the revelations for people who reflect.' (10:24)

'And He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days - and His Throne was upon the water - that He might try you, which of you is best in conduct.' (11:6)

'And in the Earth are neighbouring tracts, vineyards and ploughed lands, and date-palms, like and unlike, which are watered with one water. And we have made some of them to excel others in fruit. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who have sense.' (13:4)

'He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, whence ye have drink, and whence are trees on which ye send your beasts to pasture. (10) Therewith He causeth crops to grow for you, and the olive and the date-palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect. (11) ... And He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service that ye eat fresh meat from thence, and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear. And thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye (mankind) may seek of His bounty and that haply ye may give thanks.' (16:10,11,14)

'Allah sendeth down water from the sky and therewith reviveth the earth after her death. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a folk who hear.' (16:65)

'(O mankind), your Lord is He Who driveth for you the ship upon the sea that ye may seek of His bounty. Lo! He was ever Merciful toward you. (66) And when harm toucheth you upon the sea, all unto whom ye cry (for succour) fail save Him (alone), but when He bringeth you safe to land, ye turn away, for man was ever thankless. (67) Feel ye then secure that He will not cause a slope of the land to engulf you, or send a sand-storm upon you, and then ye will find that ye have no protector? (68) Or feel ye secure that He will not return you to that (plight) a second time, and send against you a hurricane of wind and drown you for your thanklessness, and then ye will not find therein that ye have any avenger against Us?' (17:66-69)

'And coin for them the similitude of the life of the world as water which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingleth with it and then becometh dry twigs that the winds scatter. Allah is Able to do all things.' (18:45)

'Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and we made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe?' (21:30)

'And we send down from the sky water in measure, and We give it settle in the earth, and lo! We are Able to withdraw it. (18) Then We produce for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you and whereof ye eat; (19) And a tree that springeth forth from Mount Sinai that groweth oil and relish for the eaters. (20) And lo! in the cattle there is verily a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, and many uses have ye in them, and of them do ye eat; (21) And on them and on the ship ye are carried.' (23:18-22)

'Or as darkness on a vast, abysmal sea. There covereth him a wave, above which is a wave, above which is a cloud. Layer upon layer of darkness. When he holdeth out his hand he scarce can see it. And he for whom Allah hath not appointed light, for him there is no light.' (24:40)

'Hast thou not seen how Allah wafteth the clouds, then gathereth them, then maketh them layers, and thou seest the rain come forth from between them; He sendeth down from the heaven mountains wherein is hail, and smiteth therewith whom He will, and averteth it from whom He will. The flashing of His lightning all but snatcheth away the sight.' (24:45)

'Have they not seen how We lead the water to the barren land and therewith bring forth crops whereof their cattle eat, and they themselves? Will they not then see?' (32:27)

'And the two seas are not alike: this, fresh, sweet, good to drink, this (other) bitter, salt. And from them both ye eat fresh meat and derive the ornament that ye wear. And thou seest the ship cleaving them with its prow that ye may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may give thanks.' (35:12)

'Hast thou not seen how Allah hath sent down water from the sky and hath caused it to penetrate the earth as watersprings, and afterward thereby produceth crops of divers hues; and afterward they wither and thou seest them turn yellow; then He maketh them chaff. Lo! herein verily is a reminder for men of understanding.' (39:21)

'He hath loosed the two seas. They meet. (19) There is a barrier between them. They encroach not (one upon the other).' (55:19,20)

'Have ye observed the water which ye drink? (68) Is it ye who shed it from the raincloud, or are We the Shedder? (69) If We willed We verily could make it bitter. Why then, give ye not thanks?' (56:68-70)

'Say: Have ye thought: If (all) your water were to disappear into the earth, who then could bring you gushing water?' (67:30) 

'Let man consider his food: (24) How We pour water in showers (25) Then split the earth in clefts (26) And cause the grain to grow therein (27) And grapes and green fodder (28) And olive-trees and palm-trees (29) And garden-closes of thick foliage (30) And fruits and grasses: (31) Provision for you and your cattle.' (80:24-32)


Sources:

http://www.quranexplorer.com
http://www.answering-christianity.com/oceanology.htm



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