I have been thinking about writing about water for a long time because there are many questions about this simple drink. For example, how much water should you drink in summer and winter? In what form should water be drunk? What are the benefits of water?
Allah, the Most High, has unconditionally bestowed mankind with water in a way that it can be found easily anywhere in the world.
Two-thirds of the world is made up of water, and the interesting thing is that two-thirds of the human body is also made up of water. There is surely a pearl of wisdom in this fact for those who are able to contemplate. It means that we humans are a part of the whole universe. Although science has developed so much and there are oxygen and hydrogen molecules all around us, it is still impossible to produce water in laboratories. The reason for this is that there is no proper temperature for hydrogen and oxygen molecules to condense and form into water. Besides, this condensation is impossible in nature as well. Therefore, we see that if Almighty Allah does not allow, the mass of water in the universe can neither increase nor decrease. There is wisdom in it, too.
– Without water, no metabolic process can take place in the body;
– Water is the cause of all cell division in the body;
– Water cleanse kidneys in particular, and all organs in general of toxic substances;
– Water controls blood pressure and promotes even distribution of hormones;
– Water moisturizes the oral and nasal cavities, as well as eyes;
– Water is a part of sweat, tears, blood, through which inflammatory processes are absorbed;
– Water protects the energy balance of our body and prevents friction of our joints;
– Drinking water daily prevents diseases such as migraines, varicose veins and hemorrhoid and makes the skin more vibrant and radiant;
– Water removes all harmful substances that enter our body.
The benefits of water do not end there and this list can be prolonged even further. Diseases such as constipation, urinary tract infections, metabolic disorders, kidney stones, gallstones, dry skin, itchy eyes, etc. are more common in people who are dehydrated, that is, those who drink little or no water and drink tea, coffee, juice etc. instead.
In my opinion, it would be better to drink 2-3 liters of water a day in summer and 0.5-1 liters in winter. Excessive drinking of water can also aggravate the body and disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, as well as internal metabolic processes.
Scientists from all over the world have already confirmed the soothing effect of water on the limbs that Muslims use to wash their limbs before praying. Water should be drunk only raw, in unboiled form, sitting and sipping slowly. Drink 1-2 glasses of water after eating. In this case, digestion becomes better, foods become better absorbed, and feces become better formed. Doing this, we also act upon Sunnah.[1]
How should we drink water? Sitting or standing?
I also need the help of educated people with this controversial issue. For example, there is a hadith from the Prophet (Peace and Bless of Allah be upon him): “Do not drink water standing, but drink it sitting.” I do not know whether this hadith is saheeh (sound) or not. It would be better if knowledgeable believers among us explain this (provided that the full source of the hadith is indicated). The reason I decided to mention this hadith is that all sources cite this hadith as an example, and people who drink water are advised to sit up. Those who explain the hadith from scientific point of view say that when water is drunk in a standing position, it flows directly into the intestines and not into the stomach. It is said that when a person is standing on his feet, as the wrinkles in his/her stomach are longitudinal, water passes through these wrinkles and flows into the intestines, and because it does not mix with the gastric juice, the water damages the intestines. But when sitting, the water remains in the stomach, warms in the stomach, mixes with the gastric juice, and then flows into the intestine.
As a doctor, I say that this is a misconception because the wrinkles in the stomach are not longitudinal, but transverse, and when water is drunk on the feet, the water remains in our stomach and there is no harm to our intestines. Maybe there are other benefits to sitting and drinking water, and I will be thankful if someone explains it.
[1] A set of actions which were performed by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Bless be upon him), and which are recommended for Muslims to perform accordingly.