The Letter Mim
1. M'aa(Water)
M'aa (Water), is the resource of life, the best drink there is, and one of the pillars of existence. Rather it is the most important pillar of life, as Allah has created every living thing from water.
- There is a difference of opinion if water is a source of nutrition for the body, or if it only helps wash down and dissolve the food. Water is a wet, cold substance that removes heat, preserves the body's moisture, restores the moisture that the body has lost, makes the food softer and helps carry it through the blood vessels.
There are ten standards with which we test water's freshness. First, its color should be crystal clear. Second, water should not have any odor at all, Third, water should be sweet and fresh just as the water of the Nile and the
Euphrates. Fourth, water should be light. Fifth, water sources should be pure and not stagnant. Sixth, water is fresher when its source is deeper or farther. Seventh, water should be exposed to the wind and the sun, not hidden under the earth. Eighth, water sources should not be stagnant and should be fast running. Ninth, water should be plentiful which helps purify whatever impurities it might carry. Tenth, water source should be running north to south or west to east.
When all these characteristics are sought together, they will all be found in four rivers, the Nile, the Euphrates, Sayhan (or Sayhoun) and J ay'han (or Jayhoun). In the Sahihain it is narrated that Abu Hurayrah related from the Prophet b that he said:
"Sayhan. jayhun, the Nile and the Euphrates are all among the rivers of Paradise."
As for the water being light, there are three methods to verify it. First, water should easily absorb the cold and the heat. Hippocrates said, "The water that becomes hot or cold easily is the lightest water." Second; by weight. Third, when one wets two pieces of cotton, which are exactly the same weight, with water from two different sources, and then both pieces are dried and weighed. The one that has the lightest weight indicates the water it absorbed was the lightest, The environment that
the water passes through has a profound effect on the water. For instance, water sources that are located to the north are generally cooler and their water is generally thicker due to the northern wind. In addition, the water that passes through mineral rich rocks is affected by this fact.
Fresh water is beneficial for both the ill and the healthy. Cool or chilled water is the most beneficial and has the best taste. Yet, one should not drink water soon after he wakes up, after sex, taking a bath or eating fruit. There is no harm if one drinks water while eating, but not excessively. Feather, having a few sips of water in this case is better and does not harm the stomach but strengthens it, excites the sexual drive and quenches the thirst.
Warm water, on the other hand, swells the stomach and causes the opposite effects that we mentioned regarding cold water. Old warm water is better than fresh warm water.
Cold water is better than warm water inside the body, as it cleanses the blood and clears the head. In addition, cold water removes rot and is mild and favorable for the teeth, the mood and hot weather. Yet, cold water is not good for those suffering from colds or swelling, since such cases need heat to decompose. Very cold water harms the teeth and drinking it on a regular basis could
cause bronchitis and chest pains.
Very hot and very cold waters are very harmful to the nerves and most of the limbs and body organs. One of them decomposes (hot water), while the other concentrates moistures. Warm water relieves hot riixtures, decomposes, matures and extracts excrement and brings wetness and hotness, but does not help the digestion as the fc.od then floats up close to the upper side of the stomach. Warm water In addition does not quench the thirst quickly, weakens the body and causes many harmful illnesses. Yet, warm water is good for old people and those suffering from epilepsy, cold headaches and ophthalmia (inflammation of the eye).
There are no Hadith about sun heated water, nor did any of the renowned doctors of old discourage drinking it. Yet, very hot water dissolves the fat around the kidneys.
We talked about rainwater when we talked about the letter Ghayn.
Water contained in ice and hail.
In the Sahihain it is narrated that the Prophet b used to say the following supplication after starting the prayer:
"O Allah! Wash my sins with water (rain), snow and hail."
Snow is accumulated due to the moisture in the air. We mentioned the wisdoin in asking Allah to wash the sins with snow, as the heart needs the coolness and :s strength. We stated before the subject of curing the ills of the heart and treating them with their cpposites and neutralizers.
Hail water is sweeter than snow water, while the quality of melted ice water depends on its source.
We should mention that the quality of the snow is affected by the area and the mountains that 1t falls on.
One should avoid drinking icy water after taking a hath, having sex, sports activity, eating hot foods, when coughing and having chest pains, weak liver and cool tempers.
Water from wells and ground water Well water is not favorable, while underground water is heavy. This is because the first one (well water) rarely escapes rot, while underground water is not exposed to fresh air. Hence, one should not drink such types of water until exposing the water to air for at least a night. The worst type of well or underground water is that which runs through lead-rich stones and unused weils. especially if its soil is not good.
Zamzam Water
Zamzam water is the best, freshest, most beneficial, most beloved and most precious water there is. Further, Zamzam water was dug up by Jibril and the source that Prophet Isma'il ,LJ1 * drank from.
In the Sahihain it is narrated that the Prophet ~ said to Abu Tharr, who remained at the Kabah for forty days without food (or drink) living on Zamzam water: "It is a nutritious food." Muslim added that the Prophet b said:
- "And a cure from ailment."
Furthermore, Ibn Majah narrated that J abir bin "Abdullah related from the Prophet b that he said: