Droplets of Life: Providing Clean Water for Vulnerable Communities with Ferdaus Chia

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Water is life. It is essential for drinking, cooking, bathing, and growing food. Researchers believe that a person can live for up to three weeks without food as long as they have water to drink. Without both water and food, a person cannot survive for more than four days. Yet, many communities around the world lack reliable access to clean water, leading to serious health issues, economic hardship, and a diminished quality of life. Children are particularly affected, with waterborne diseases being a leading cause of illness and death.

Today, 785 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water. An estimated 842,000 people die each year from diarrhea due to unsafe drinking water, and every minute a newborn dies from an infection caused by a lack of safe water. In many parts of the world, access to clean water is a daily struggle for millions of people. For the most vulnerable communities, this basic necessity often feels like an unattainable luxury. Lack of clean water is not only one of the leading causes of death and disease around the world, but also the reason why many people are trapped in poverty. Women and children spend 200 million hours a year collecting water, which is a colossal waste of time and a missed opportunity for work and study, keeping them locked in a cycle of poverty, unable to earn and save for a brighter future. I believe that everyone deserves the right to safe, clean water. This is why I am launching “A Drop of Life: Providing Clean Water for Vulnerable Communities with Ferdaus Chia,” a fundraising campaign dedicated to providing clean water to those who need it most, especially during the sacred month of Muharram.

The Best form of Sadaqah Jariyah We Can Give is Water

In Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah reported that he once said, “O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died. Shall I give charity on her behalf?” The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Yes.” Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah then asked, “Which charity is best?” The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) then replied, “A drink of water.” Sunan al-Nasā’ī 3664

Water is a Blessing from Allah and is Fundamental to Life

Water is one of the most important substances on Earth. Throughout the Qur’an, there are countless ayahs where Allah (Azzawajal) emphasizes how He sent water down to Earth for the creation and maintenance of life on Earth. In the Qur’an, Allah (SWT) says: ”Indeed, in the water which Allah sent down from the skies, and brought with it life to Earth after its death.” – Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, chapter 2, verse 164

Today, science has proven that water was essential in the formation of the solar system and that the Earth is the only planet known to have stable bodies of water on its surface and is therefore the only planet able to support life. “And we made every living thing of water” – Qur’an, Surah Al Anbya, chapter 21, verse 30

Water is an essential component of human, animal, and plant life. It makes up 60% of the human body, circulating through the body to facilitate nearly all bodily systems essential for survival, including regulating temperature, absorbing nutrients, as well as excreting waste. We simply would not exist without it. Water is also essential in sustaining the ecosystem. It transports nutrients in the soil up through the roots of the plants, helping them grow. Animals then feed on the crops, and in turn, other animals feed on those animals, creating a whole ecosystem supported by water. Without water, the land would be barren, and all life would cease to exist. Hence, water is one of the biggest blessings from Allah.

Giving Water Earns Allah’s Mercy

In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A prostitute had once been forgiven. She passed by a dog panting near a well. Thirst had nearly killed him, so she took off her sock, tied it to her veil, and drew up some water. Allah forgave her for that.” Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3321, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2245

This hadith teaches us that a simple act of kindness such as giving water can be our salvation on the Day of Judgment. Ibn al-Qayyim said, “If Allah Almighty had forgiven one who gave water to a dog suffering from extreme thirst, then how about one who relieves the thirst, satisfies the hunger, and clothes the naked among the Muslims?”

The Significance of Muharram

The month of Muharram is honored as one of the four sacred months as ordained by Allah (SWT). Besides being the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, it has been titled as” the month of Allah,” no other month is given such an honor, which is why it’s special and one of the most blessed in the Islamic calendar.

In hadith Ibn Majah, a man came to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), peace and blessings be upon him, and said: ‘Which fasting is better after the month of Ramadan?’ He said: ‘The month of Allah which is called Muharram.’ Ibn Majah 1742

The month of Muharram is steeped in both religious and historical significance for Muslims. Not only is it a month decreed by Allah (SWT) as sacred, it marks the hijrah (emigration) of the Muslims to Madinah and the establishment of the first Islamic state in 622CE. Other significant historical events include the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and other family members of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), peace be upon him, during the Battle of Karbala.

The month of Muharram is a time of reflection, prayer, and charity. During this blessed month, the rewards for our good deeds are multiplied. It is a period when Muslims around the world are encouraged to give to those in need and perform acts of kindness and generosity. It is another opportunity for us to gain nearness to Allah, and a time of remembrance for the Muslim Ummah. By aligning our campaign with this sacred month, we hope to inspire even more people to join us in making a meaningful impact.

My Mission

“A Drop of Life” aims to transform lives by providing sustainable, long-term solutions for clean water access. Besides providing water, Global Ehsan Relief will help install hand pumps, hybrid water wells, community water wells, solar water station, ablution places, electric water wells, clean water for Gaza, which comes in the form of water tanks. The countries that Global Ehsan Relief will cover are, Cambodia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Gaza. My goal is to empower these vulnerable communities with the tools and knowledge they need to maintain their water sources and improve their overall health and well-being.

How You Can Help

This is not an easy task for one man, and I cannot do this alone. Hence, I need your support to make a lasting impact. Your generous contributions will go directly towards funding projects that bring clean water to those in desperate need. Together, we can reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases, enhance educational opportunities for children, and help communities thrive. Put the Prophetic teaching into practice and give water to a needy community. You can serve a whole community of 200 people by gifting a well. This provides access to clean water for drinking, washing, and cooking, as well as keeping livestock hydrated. A gift so vital could really save an entire community and help it to thrive for many years to come, giving you all the rewards.

Join Me

Join me and the Global Ehsan Relief team in making a difference, especially during this sacred month of Muharram. Every donation, no matter how small, is a drop of life that brings us closer to our goal. Together, we can turn the tide and ensure that clean water flows freely for everyone.

Donate Today!

Your support is crucial. Donate today and be a part of a movement that is changing lives. With your help, we can provide a future where clean water is not a privilege but a right for all. Let’s come together to make a difference during this holy month of Muharram. A drop of life can create ripples of change. With your generous support, we can provide clean water for the most vulnerable communities and build a healthier, brighter future for all.”