Issue No.242 – December 2023

Water is the primary source of life and a gift from Heaven. Without it, there would be no people, animals and plants. Even microscopic bacteria simply cannot survive without this amazing liquid. Of its Heavenly origins, the Noble Quraan recorded over 1400 years ago, “We have sent a measure of water from the sky to stay on earth and We have the power to take it away.” (Chapter 23 verse 18).

Multiple scientific studies have concluded that our water came from asteroids. The “molecular fingerprint” of water in the ocean matches the water detected in asteroids.

60 percent of our body weight is made up of water. Of this scientific fact, the Noble Quraan also tells us, “Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” (Chapter 21 Verse 30)

Our bodies use water to regulate body temperature and maintain bodily functions. Since our bodies lose water through breathing, perspiration, and digestion, it’s crucial to rehydrate and replenish water by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. To facilitate our survival, Allah Ta’ala has chosen to cover 70 % of the earth’s surface with water and has made it easily attainable than any other commodity.

How could an unlettered man who lived 1400 years ago have known that water originally came from ice in comets and every living thing was created from water unless by Divine Revelation, Alhamdulillah.

As people moved away from the nearby rivers and lakes to live in settlements the use of groundwater became an alternative source. When demand outstripped supply with agricultural and industrialisation activities, water had to be extracted from other sources and transported to users. Transport systems evolved from using dug-out channels in the sand or rocks to hollow palm trees and to pipes of metal invented for this purpose. This was the forerunner of mass purification, storage and supply.

Bottled Water

All kinds of vessels to transport water were part of human civilizations from skins, leather, hollowed-out gourds, clay pots, glass, ceramic, and metal to the ubiquitous current-day plastic bottle. The demand for bottled water was also fuelled by convenience and awareness of the possible risks of contamination in tap water. Today, many people see bottled water as safer than municipal water supplies which, if contaminated, could spread diseases such as cholera and typhoid when not treated effectively.

In South Africa, bottled water is regarded as a food product, and as such, is governed by the Department of Health’s regulatory legislation. There are 3 main types of bottled water in South Africa, viz: natural water, water defined by origin and prepared water. As per legislation, all 3 types of bottled water are subjected to treatment via a filtration or decantation process which sees to the separation of constituents like iron, manganese and sulphur amongst other chemicals.

Why does Bottled Water carry Halaal Certification?

Water in its original form is fundamentally Halaal. If it is, however, contaminated with any Haraam ingredients or comes into contact with Najasah (impurities), the Halaal status of the water would be affected.

When processing bottled water, the water passes through purification systems, which may include sediment filtration, activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

When it comes to Halaal certification of bottled water in addition to the source of the water, the materials and processes used in the water purification system are critical components that need to be scrutinized and examined. Should the purification system use materials or processes that are considered Haraam like animal-derived bone char, or filter media containing gelatine derived from non-Halaal sources, the water will not qualify for Halaal certification.

In addition, flavoured water also needs to be checked for possible Haraam ingredients in the flavour material.

So, whilst water in its original pure form is intrinsically Halaal, the application of any process automatically subjects the water to scrutiny for Halaal compliance

SINK OR SWIM – KEEP CALM WITH HALAAL WATER

Certified Water Suppliers

We commend the following establishments for partnering with us on offering assured Halaal products to the community.