Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There are three persons whom Allah will not look at on the Day of Resurrection, nor will he purify them and theirs shall be a severe punishment. They are: -1. A man possessed superfluous water, on a way and he withheld it from travelers. -2. A man who gave a pledge of allegiance to a ruler and he gave it only for worldly benefits. If the ruler gives him something he gets satisfied, and if the ruler withholds something from him, he gets dissatisfied. -3. And man displayed his goods for sale after the `Asr prayer and he said, 'By Allah, except Whom None has the right to be worshipped, I have been given so much for my goods,' and somebody believes him (and buys them). The Prophet (ﷺ) then recited: "Verily! Those who purchase a little gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant and their oaths." (3.77)
Distribution of Water - Sahih al-Bukhari 2358
This profound hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari enumerates three grave sins that incur Allah's severe displeasure, with the first specifically addressing the distribution of water - a vital resource in the arid Arabian landscape.
Commentary on Water Withholding
The first category describes one who possesses surplus water alongside a public pathway yet denies it to thirsty travelers. This constitutes a violation of the Islamic principle that surplus water, like grass and fire, should not be denied to those in need. Water is considered a common right among Muslims.
Classical scholars emphasize that this prohibition applies specifically to surplus water beyond one's essential needs. The severity of this sin lies in the potential loss of life that could result from denying water to travelers in desert conditions, making it an act of indirect homicide.
Spiritual Consequences
The triple punishment mentioned - Allah not looking at them, not purifying them, and severe chastisement - indicates the gravity of these sins. Being deprived of Allah's gaze signifies complete divine displeasure, while lack of purification denotes eternal spiritual contamination.
Broader Implications
This teaching establishes the Islamic ethic regarding natural resources and communal responsibility. It forbids hoarding essential commodities and emphasizes the social obligation of sharing resources, particularly those necessary for survival like water.
The inclusion of this sin alongside political hypocrisy and commercial fraud demonstrates how withholding essential resources ranks among the most serious moral failures in Islamic ethics.