Abu Hurairah (RA) has reported the messenger of Allah as saying, "Among the actions and good deeds for which a believer will continue to receive reward, after his death, are knowledge which he taught and spread, a good son whom he left behind, or a copy of the Quran which he left as a legacy, or a mosque which he erected, or a house which he built for the traveler, or a stream which he caused to flow, or a Sadaqah which he gave from his property when he was alive and well, for which he will continue to receive reward after his death". (Ibn Majah - Mishkat)
Traveling throughout the Islamic world one will notice the great number of fountains everywhere. In the Islamic culture fountains serve as places to drink and also as places to make ablution (wudu). For these reasons fountains have become an integral part of Islamic architecture.
Many inner courtyards done large fountains in their centers. Even the interior courtyards of many homes have fountains. In public places the fountain became a meeting place for travelers and villagers alike. A place to greet one another and exchange stories and news.
In the Levant regions (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine) the fountains are fed by the great aqueduct system built by the Romans which were later improved by the Umayyads, furnishing water in the streets, in the villa gardens, and in town houses. These ancient systems although updated are still in use today.
The
Giving Fountains
By Badreya
The hadiths say that among the three people Allah will ignore on the Day of Resurrection there will be, The man who, having water in excess of his needs refuses it to a traveler.
Throughout Islamic history Kings, Emirs, Sultans and the wealthy have tried to emulate the description of paradise in the Quran by building great gardens with lavish fountains. In the garden is no idle talk; there is a gushing fountain (Quran 88:11-12).
Al Azhar Park Cairo Egypt
The Quran tells us that water is a gift and mercy from Allah. Consider the water which you drink. Was it you that brought it down from the rain cloud or We? If We had pleased, We could make it bitter. (Quran 56:68-70)
He sends down saving rain for them when they have lost all hope and spreads abroad His mercy. (Quran 11:7)
It is one of the three things that every human is entitled to, grass (pasture for cattle), water, and fire. Water should be freely available to all, and any Muslim who withholds unneeded water sins against Allah. No one can refuse surplus water without sinning against Allah and against man.
Fountains are both used aesthetically and as a source of continuous sadaqa throughout the Islamic world. Abu Hurairah (RA) has reported the messenger of Allah as saying, "Among the actions and good deeds for which a believer will continue to receive reward, after his death, are knowledge which he taught and spread, a good son whom he left behind, or a copy of the Quran which he left as a legacy, or a mosque which he erected, or a house which he built for the traveler, or a stream which he caused to flow, or a Sadaqah which he gave from his property when he was alive and well, for which he will continue to receive reward after his death". (Ibn Majah - Mishkat)
Left -Kaula Lumper Malaysia
Evident throughout Turkey is a mix of modern architecture and structures left over from the Ottoman Empire.
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
A reminder of the past, Malaysian architecture is a mixture of Chinese, British, Dutch, Portuguese and Islamic influence.
Casablanca Morocco
Mosaic tiles are characteristic of Moroccan architecture. This blue Mosaic fountain is typical of Moroccan tile architecture.
Andalucian Garden Cairo Egypt
Reminiscent of the gardens in the South of Spain which were geometric in architecture due to its Islamic influence.
