Water: The Silent Healer of the Human Body
By: Dr. Aftab Jan
Water is not merely a liquid that quenches thirst—it is the invisible architect of human vitality, the primal medicine that predates all drugs, and the silent healer of every cell. It flows through us as the original elixir—animating our blood, cushioning our thoughts, and regulating our innermost biological symphonies.
Our bodies are composed of nearly 60–70% water, a percentage that reflects not just mass but meaning. Each organ in the body—from the commanding brain to the filtering kidneys, from the rhythmic heart to the glowing skin—functions only as long as water nourishes it. It is the base upon which life is built, and without it, that structure crumbles silently, slowly, and often irreversibly.
Hydration is not simply about drinking eight glasses a day; it’s about understanding the deeper biological rhythms of our body. Just as the Qur’an describes water as the source of all living things—“And We made from water every living thing” (Qur’an 21:30)—science now confirms this divine truth. Our cells, organs, hormones, and even emotions thrive in the river of hydration. When we combine this physiological understanding with the sacred etiquettes and timings taught by Islam, hydration becomes not just health—but worship.
Take the brain: that command center of thought, emotion, and memory is composed of approximately 75% water. It is no exaggeration to call water the thinking molecule—because every mental impulse, every emotional regulation, every creative spark relies on the watery matrix within which neurotransmitters and electrical impulses travel.
A mere 1–2% drop in hydration can shrink brain tissue, impair memory, fog attention, and elevate anxiety. MRI studies have shown how dehydration affects cognitive function as swiftly and visibly as fatigue. When the brain lacks water, the blood that feeds it thickens, slowing oxygen delivery and clouding focus.
Over time, this subtle drought may pave the way for mood disorders and even neurodegenerative diseases. Yet when we drink a tall glass of lukewarm water upon waking—between 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.—we cleanse this command center, flushing out metabolic waste and restoring clarity. This is the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ—he would begin his day with taharah (purification), and while not explicitly recorded, many scholars held that water after waking aids the mind and body in preparing for Fajr and beyond.
Islamic tradition often refers to water as “ṭahūr” (purifier)—both externally in wudhu and internally in metabolic cleansing. In that sacred moment after waking, water is not merely a drink, but an act of respect for the body Allah entrusted us with.
The heart, ever-pulsing and tireless, beats more than 100,000 times a day—and each beat is lubricated by water. Blood, composed of over 90% water, is the medium through which oxygen, glucose, and hormones circulate. When the body is dehydrated, blood thickens, forcing the heart to work harder. This increased cardiac strain raises the risk of hypertension, clot formation, and even heart failure. But timely hydration—such as a glass of water mid-morning (around 9:00–10:00 a.m.)—helps thin the blood, enhances oxygen delivery, and supports a steady heart rhythm. In Islamic texts, the heart (qalb) is described not just as a physical organ, but the seat of spirituality and intention.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Verily in the body is a lump of flesh which, if sound, the whole body is sound; and if corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Verily, it is the heart” (Bukhari & Muslim). What a profound coincidence that the physical heart also needs water to remain sound! When we drink with niyyah (intention), even hydration becomes a form of preservation of the most vital organ—both physically and spiritually.
No less crucial are the kidneys—the silent filters that cleanse over 50 gallons of blood each day. Their intricate nephrons require a steady stream of water to flush out toxins, regulate electrolytes, and maintain acid-base balance. Chronic dehydration stresses these filters, leading to urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and even renal damage.
The Prophet ﷺ advised moderation in food and drink and encouraged periodic water intake, especially after meals or walking. In fact, scholars like Ibn Qayyim in his Tibb al-Nabawi (Prophetic Medicine) emphasized the balance between hydration and overconsumption. Drinking water before meals, particularly before lunch around 12:30–1:00 p.m., primes digestion while also supporting kidney function.
Another key time is mid-afternoon, around 2:30–3:00 p.m., when a glass of water helps prevent fatigue and flush toxins. This correlates with the timing between Dhuhr and Asr, when Muslims often return to work or study and the body needs renewal. Water becomes not just physical fuel, but a means of maintaining the purity Allah loves in His servants.
Digestion, too, is impossible without water. From the moment food enters the mouth, enzymes in saliva (98% water) begin the breakdown process. In the stomach, water dissolves nutrients, softens solids, and aids the movement of food. Without sufficient hydration, digestion slows, acidity rises, and the risk of ulcers increases. Drinking water mindfully before meals and again after food has settled—especially in the early evening (around 5:00–6:00 p.m.)—supports smoother digestion. Constipation, skin eruptions, and poor sleep often trace back to internal dryness.
The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ in eating was to never eat in excess, and to drink water in three sips while sitting. He also warned against blowing into a vessel or breathing into it—practices that science now tells us affect temperature, hygiene, and gut health. Bismillah, Alhamdulillah, sitting while drinking, and sipping thrice—all these prophetic etiquettes transform water into barakah (blessing).
The lungs, though less discussed, lose water with every breath—up to 500 ml daily. Their lining depends on moisture to trap dust and pathogens. Dehydration thickens mucus, increasing infection risk. A glass of water after physical exertion or in the evening restores this moisture and supports oxygen exchange. In Islamic prayer, the deep rhythmic breathing of sujood and tahajjud complements this lung renewal. It’s worth noting that the Prophet ﷺ encouraged drinking water after walking or sweating, which now aligns perfectly with respiratory hydration needs. Water in the evening, taken with thankfulness, aids sleep, immunity, and tranquility—key goals of the nightly remembrance (dhikr) of Allah.
The skin, the body’s largest organ, is a mirror of internal hydration. Without water, it becomes dry, dull, and inflamed. But with regular hydration—especially early morning, mid-day, and early evening—the skin glows. In Islam, the practice of wudhu five times a day hydrates and purifies the face, hands, and feet. This outer washing parallels the inner washing that water provides when consumed with niyyah. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Cleanliness is half of faith” (Sahih Muslim), and water, in all its forms, is the tool by which we purify both body and soul.
Muscles and bones, too, rely on water. Muscles are 75% water and need hydration for strength and repair. Joints depend on synovial fluid, which water sustains. Even bones have water in their marrow and matrix. Without hydration, muscle cramps, stiffness, and joint damage occur. Around 4:00–5:00 p.m., when energy dips, a glass of water restores stamina. Islam’s traditions of archery, swordsmanship, and horse riding were always accompanied by care for the body—including hydration. Imam Al-Shafi’i and other scholars taught that a believer must care for the body given by Allah, for it is the vehicle by which we worship Him.
Water also governs hormonal balance and emotional stability. Dehydration increases cortisol, decreases melatonin, and disrupts mood. A final sip of water before bed (8:30–9:00 p.m.) supports hormone regulation and restful sleep. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged us to drink water calmly, not in haste, and always in moderation. He said, “Do not drink water in one gulp like a camel, but drink it in two or three sips” (Tirmidhi). Science now proves this prevents bloating and supports parasympathetic (calming) nervous activity. Drinking with the right etiquette becomes ibadah (worship).
In truth, the body does not thrive on random gulps taken in panic. It heals through a relationship with water—one that is respectful, rhythmic, and rooted in the Prophetic model. Thirst is the final alarm of a system already in distress; wisdom lies in prevention.
By honoring the sacred timings of our body’s needs and combining them with the Sunnah etiquettes of drinking, we transform each sip into a ritual of healing and gratitude. The Prophet ﷺ used to say after drinking, “Alhamdulillah alladhi saqana ‘adhban furaatan birahmatihi walam yaj‘alhu milhan ujajan bidhunoobina” — “Praise be to Allah who gave us sweet, palatable water by His mercy, and did not make it salty and bitter due to our sins.” (Ibn Sunni) We don’t just hydrate—we harmonize. And through that harmony, the silent healer of life—water—restores, protects, and elevates us from the cellular level to the soul. In it lies a divine reminder that even the simplest gift, when honored through knowledge and gratitude, becomes a pathway to healing, strength, and spiritual awakening.
(Dr Aftab is a regular contributor to ‘Kashmir Vision’)
