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Water symbolism in religion is the practice of associating water to particular beliefs that govern the religion’s rules. In that regard, both Christianity and Islam refer to water as a symbol of different circumstances based on the history of their teachings (Rahman, Elias, and Redding 78). This paper analyzes water symbolism beliefs in Christianity and Islam and their origin.
Christians believe that water is a symbol of life. The bible states that during creation, God commanded water to give rise to living things. Immediately, aquatic animals filled the water bodies (MacDonald 42).
In addition, Christians believe that rainwater is the fundamental source of life for plants, animals, and man. The Bible further states that God controls how rain spreads on the earth surface. Therefore, Christians believe that God gives life through providing the earth with enough water to sustain plants, animals, and human beings (Oestigaard 79).
Water symbolizes purity in Christianity. In the Old Testament, priests washed their feet and hands in water before entering the synagogues as a sign of purity. Aaron, a biblical priest, bathed before offering sacrifices as a sign of purity before God. John the Baptist, a Christian prophet, baptized his followers in River Jordan water as a sign of purity before God. Up to date, Christians baptize to commit themselves as pure worshippers to the almighty God (Lefebvre 104).
Christians believe that water is a symbol of rescue and deliverance. For instance, in the book of Exodus, Moses’ mother hid him in a floating basket in the river Nile.
Later, pharaoh’s daughter rescued him and took him to her home. In the same book, God rescued Israelites from the Egyptian troops by splitting Red sea water for the Israelites to pass (Lefebvre 178). Also, the bible states God used water to save the Noah family from perishing. The raising water continuously lifted the ark preventing the Noah family and other animals from drowning
Muslims believe that water is a symbol of life. Qur’an articulates that Allah created man and all other creatures from the water. Also, Islam states that water was the only thing in the universe before God created the earth. Muslims assert that Islam originated from the harsh Arabian deserts. Islam argues that Allah provided people and animals in the dessert with water for survival. Consequently, Muslims believe that water is the source of life (Abdullah, 187).
Islam considers water as a symbol of Allah paradise. In this regard, water is a sign of righteousness and closeness to Allah. Qur’an acknowledges rain and river as sources of safe drinking water from the Paradise gardens. Islam argues that Paradise water is ever flowing as opposed to the hell water which is always stagnant. Therefore, Muslims believe that Allah makes water flow from paradise for human beings to use for their needs (Yaran 89).
Just like in Christianity, water symbolizes purity in Islam. Therefore, Muslims use water to perform ablution rituals before prayers. For instance, Muslims perform Ghusl ablution ritual after sex and before feasting or touching the Qur’an. All Muslims must observe wudu ablution ritual before the five daily prayers. Consequently, nearly all mosques have water points in their courtyard for ablution rituals before prayers (Sodiq 113).
In conclusion, water in both religions symbolizes life and purity. However, while Christianity considers water as a symbol of deliverance and rescue, Islam believes that water is a symbol of Allah’s paradise.
Works Cited
Abdullah, Naeem. Concepts of Islam. Bloomington: Xlibris, 2011. Print.
Griswold, Eliza. The tenth parallel: dispatches from the fault line between Christianity and Islam. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2010. Print.
Lefebvre, Solange. Water marks our life. London: SCM Press, 2012. Print.
MacDonald, Nathan. Genesis and Christian theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2012. Print.
Oestigaard, Terje. Water, Christianity and the rise of capitalism. London: I.B. Tauris, 2013. Print.
Rahman, Jamal, Kathleen Schmitt Elias, and Ann Holmes Redding. Out of darkness into light: spiritual guidance in the Quran with reflections from Jewish and Christian sources. Harrisburg: Morehouse Pub., 2009. Print.
Sodiq, Yushau. Insider’s guide to Islam. Bloomington: Trafford Publishing, 2011. Print.
Yaran, Cafer. Understanding Islam. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press, 2007. Print.
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