ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON WATER AS A PUBLIC GOOD

Abstract

Water is universally recognized as a public good, essential for life, health, and economic stability. However, the modern trend of treating water as a commodity, subject to market forces, conflicts with the ethical principles found in Islamic teachings. Islam affirms water’s status as a shared resource, emphasizing equitable access, sustainability, and communal benefit. In this view, water is not a commodity to be bought or sold, but a divine gift meant for the well-being of all living beings, and its management should reflect justice and public welfare. This paper explores the Islamic perspective on water governance, focusing on the moral obligation to treat water as a common good. The study examines primary Islamic sources, including the Qur'an and hadith, to highlight the collective responsibility to preserve and distribute water equitably. Islamic governance models assert that water management is a matter of justice, stewardship, and public welfare, with the state playing a key role in ensuring access for all.