Chapter Five: Consumption of Water and Liquids

The body requires clean water to digest food, deliver nutrients to cells, and eliminate waste. When this need is unmet, consuming solid foods without adequate water intake leads to constipation and other ailments. Water plays a critical role in digestion, nutrient transport to cells, and waste elimination through urine and feces. Dehydration can cause constipation, as water is essential for softening stool and facilitating bowel movements.

Consuming sufficient liquids is fundamental to overall bodily health, as water regulates body temperature, supports cardiovascular function, and sustains metabolism. Soft, watery foods are preferable for the body. The use of diverse natural liquids—excluding artificial or industrially produced ones—enhances cognitive function and sensory perception. Studies indicate that dehydration can impair cognitive performance.

Liquids contain minerals and various vitamins. They can be broadly categorized into two types: liquid beverages and solid substances that, through extraction, become soft and fluid.

High-Quality and Purified Water

Flowing water, particularly that which courses over stones and pebbles or cascades from elevated sources, is light and swiftly dissolves and dilutes substances. Consuming approximately eight glasses of purified water daily supports hydration, toxin elimination, and enhances kidney function and skin health by reducing dryness and improving elasticity. Purified water meets the body’s hydration needs, maintains electrolyte balance, and optimizes organ function.

Water quality can be assessed using testing devices or through taste. A refined sense of taste acts as a natural evaluator, distinguishing healthy water from contaminated water, thereby ensuring its quality and safety. However, a typical sense of taste may not accurately detect microbial, chemical, or heavy metal contaminants, as many pollutants are tasteless to such a palate. Modern scientific tools, such as water testing gadgets or laboratory analyses, provide precise evaluations of water safety.

The human palate and tongue serve as the body’s most precise laboratory, possessing a comprehensive ability to discern substances through taste that surpasses the capabilities of contemporary industrial laboratories.

Consuming purified, high-quality liquids is essential for sustaining life and health, acting as a cleanser and purifier for the body when ingested in sufficient quantities. Most bodies suffer from water deficiency. The body’s water needs must be met with the finest, healthiest water, which is its most vital sustenance. Healthy water does not refer to boiled water, as boiling may deplete certain minerals (e.g., calcium and magnesium), alter chemical properties, or reduce dissolved oxygen, though it can eliminate some microbes and bacteria, rendering water safer. Water must be clean and pure, obtainable through water purification devices that remove most contaminants.

Water varies greatly in quality. Just as human breath differs, so too does water, with some waters possessing a clarity that captivates the eye. Pure water exemplifies faith and divine essence, mirroring the attributes of the Divine and the faithful servant—clear, flowing, gentle, sweet, harmless, and adaptable.

Many waters require purification and treatment for consumption. Contamination with microbes or parasites renders water highly hazardous. Certain waters stress the body, inducing a state akin to consuming forbidden substances, diminishing one’s purity, spiritual clarity, and capacity for worship.

Water suitable for drinking must be fresh and flow freely by its own volition, purified through natural movement, as forced flow through unnatural channels renders it stressed and crisis-inducing. Poor-quality water disrupts and damages bodily organs, particularly the stomach, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels.

The Sustenance of Water

Water, like air, is a form of divine sustenance. The final sip of water, akin to a bitter poison willingly consumed, and the last natural breath drawn before tasting death, are preordained. The Noble Qur’an describes water as “tahūr” (purifying): “And it is He who sends the winds as glad tidings before His mercy, and We send down from the sky pure water, that We may revive thereby a dead land and give drink to many of the cattle and people We have created” (Al-Furqan: 48–49). The term “tahūr” denotes a purifier, as evidenced by: “And their Lord gives them a pure drink” (Al-Insan: 21). Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) interprets this verse, stating: “It purifies them from everything other than God, for there is no purifier free from the contamination of existence except God.”

Consuming purified, healthy water (not boiled) prevents, cleanses, or treats numerous ailments, fostering inner expansiveness and vitality.

Hydrotherapy

The most palatable beverage for humans is cool water (not excessively cold), which aids hydration, alleviates fatigue, eliminates microbes, and restores bodily strength. Engaging with cold water, such as playing in it or gazing at it, promotes psychological tranquility. Interaction with water—its spirit, flow, and movement, even within a bathtub—invigorates, enlivens, and uplifts. Studies confirm that water contact, such as swimming or bathing, has calming effects, reducing stress and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. Swirling water in the mouth and spitting it out is effective for alleviating fear and treating obsessive tendencies. Research supports the benefits of hot and cold baths in relieving muscle pain, improving circulation, and reducing inflammation.

Individuals overwhelmed by intense problems, fatigue, depression, or despair should bathe in lukewarm water with a cooler bias or, if feasible, cool water. Such bathing restores mental clarity, enabling solutions to emerge. Depression stems from myriad causes, necessitating root-cause analysis to address negative emotions and sorrow. Subsequently, gentle exercise, swimming, or bathing can be beneficial, particularly for women experiencing prolonged sadness.

For self-discovery and inner awareness, the mind must be cleared. Pouring cool water over the head purges pride, arrogance, and toxic vapors from the stomach that cloud the brain, restoring vitality, freshness, and spirit. Afterward, enjoying a cup of tea, retreating to solitude with a quiet mind, and awaiting inner revelations—what the subconscious seeks or gravitates toward—facilitates profound self-understanding.

An irritable, ill-tempered, or fearful individual can find calm and relief by entering water, swirling it in the mouth, and spitting it out. Alongside such bathing, maintaining dental hygiene with brushing and flossing, combing or brushing hair, and using perfume enhances cognitive capacity for swift problem-solving. Keeping natural flowers at home or the workplace, consistently using a mirror, and performing prayers on a prayer rug are also significant.

During illness, increasing water and liquid intake is a therapeutic method, as it dislodges and clears sediment and static substances. Drinking cool or, if possible, hail water (with greater potency) on an empty stomach purifies the stomach of infections, microbes, and even intestinal worms, strengthening the digestive system. Hydrotherapy is among the simplest methods for bodily cleansing, stomach fortification, and combating or preventing obesity, provided the water is healthy, purified, clear, and palatable.

Drinking several glasses of water early in the morning on an empty stomach, or throughout the day, with a standard of six glasses, meets the body’s and soul’s hydration needs, eradicates stomach microbes, and flushes out waste and debris accumulated in the stomach and intestines. Individuals with excess or insufficient weight, or those afflicted by infections or diseases, can improve their condition through hydrotherapy. Hot water can dissolve fats, and bathing in hot springs or pools induces relaxation but may cause lethargy. However, prolonged consumption of hot water weakens the nervous system and harms eyesight.

Consuming Liquids with Meals

Although some physicians advise against drinking water or liquids during or immediately after meals, moderate consumption—such as a small glass of liquid or a dark beverage—supports taste and digestion, preventing stomach fatigue and psychological aversion to heavy, difficult-to-digest foods, as well as nervous strain. Drinking water approximately thirty minutes before or after meals aids digestion, prevents bloating, and mitigates digestive issues. Limiting liquids during meals preserves the concentration of digestive enzymes, enhancing digestion. Excessive liquid intake during meals dilutes digestive enzymes, slowing digestion and straining the stomach and nerves, potentially spoiling food.

Affinity with Water

To maximize water’s benefits and enhance its absorption, one must develop an affinity with water, fostering intimacy through contemplation, devotion, and love. This connection allows one to embody water’s fluidity and simplicity, becoming an boundless sea. Expressing gratitude while drinking water or meditating beside it reduces stress, enhances mental health, and promotes emotional tranquility through mindfulness.

Tea

Tea is a beneficial liquid for the body and mind when consumed in moderation, provided it is high-quality, natural, uncolored, and freshly brewed. Black tea contains antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which reduce oxidative stress. However, excessive tea consumption, due to its caffeine content, may cause anxiety or digestive issues. Prolonged boiling of tea water, akin to vigorous whipping, sterilizes it, rendering it lighter and more refined, suitable for those with delicate constitutions. Sterilization eliminates bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms, preventing infection transmission. Drinking tea alone is detrimental; it requires flavorings such as rosewater, saffron, cinnamon, or ginger for variety. Individuals with heart palpitations should consume less tea or drink it after meals. Natural tea, free from artificial coloring and retaining color through multiple brews, is beneficial, whereas colored tea becomes toxic within an hour. Natural tea remains consumable for up to 24 hours, while saffron-infused tea, if properly stored, lasts up to six months. Consuming sugar or sweets is unsuitable for spiritual refinement.

Diversity of Liquids

Relying solely on water or tea is insufficient. Liquids such as broth, molasses, sekanjabin (a traditional vinegar-honey drink), lemon juice, and fruit extracts vitalize the body and invigorate the digestive system. Natural juices supply vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, strengthening the immune system. Beverages like lemon juice, honey, and ginger offer anti-aging properties, bolster immunity, and enhance skin health. Lemon and honey, with their antioxidant properties, reduce oxidative stress, while ginger’s anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects support immune health.

Fruit juice refers to fresh, organic juice free from preservatives. Some preservatives taint the spiritual essence of food, rendering it stale and lifeless, potentially causing diseases like cancer or hormonal imbalances. Prolonged consumption of preservative-laden foods may lead to digestive discomfort, allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, and negative effects on mood. Thus, consuming fresh, organic foods and using preservation methods like canning, freezing, or drying enhances health and quality of life.

Legume Water

The water from legumes such as chickpeas, split peas, lentils, beans, and fava beans is highly nutritious. Legumes and their derivatives, such as soaking water, provide soluble fiber and nutrients like vitamins, aiding digestion and boosting energy. Legume water, fruit juices, and garlic consumption, combined with exercise, alleviate muscle and bone stiffness, noisy cartilage, and restore vitality. Like meat, legume and legume water consumption requires a robust stomach. Among legumes, lentils are light, producing minimal bloating (gas accumulation in the digestive tract) and may reduce sexual vigor.

Fruit Juice Blends

Premature skin aging, unsightly appearance, or vascular issues often stem from insufficient consumption of natural, preservative-free, sugar-free fruit juices, blends, or fruit syrups. The more diverse and blended the foods and beverages, the greater their energy and vitality, maintaining a healthier stomach. Fruit juice blends are an elixir for bodily vitality. A blend of apple, carrot, and ginger juice, rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants, strengthens immunity, improves skin health, and boosts energy.

A blend of apple, carrot, and orange juice with a touch of saffron, if left standing for an hour, may shorten sleep duration. However, for those with resilience, this blend may induce dreams equivalent to two hours’ sleep in just thirty seconds, as the speed of dreams surpasses that of light. Due to apples’ heaviness and oranges’ fragility, these should be used sparingly compared to carrot juice, with apple juice being the least, and the blend thoroughly mixed. Carrot pulp, after juicing, can replace potatoes in preparing savory patties, as carrots are sweet, juicy, and enhance flavor.

Youth Elixir

A blend of walnuts or walnut oil, dates, grapes, raisins, and a pinch of saffron creates an exhilarating, intoxicating elixir, aptly termed the “youth elixir.” These ingredients are highly nutritious: walnuts provide omega-3 fatty acids, dates offer natural sugars and minerals, and saffron possesses antioxidant and antidepressant properties, making the blend energizing and uplifting. This combination mirrors the formula of “tahūr wine,” a natural, unfermented beverage derived from grapes, dates, walnuts, and pistachios, delivering pure, permissible intoxication, clarity, and love without narcotic effects. Its uplifting quality surpasses that of illicit substances, devoid of their delusional consequences. Individuals who do not consume walnuts, grapes, or dates age prematurely. Dates foster affection, making them ideal for breaking the fast, as they imbue sweetness, gentleness, and kindness. The dreamlike essence of dates reflects their nurturing quality.

Seasonal Fruits

Consuming and inhaling the aroma of seasonal fruits is highly effective for bodily rejuvenation. The significance of fragrance for health and inner development will be discussed later. Even minimal consumption of seasonal fruits should not be overlooked. These fruits can alleviate psychological disturbances, obsessive tendencies, enhance longevity, and regulate appetite. Seasonal fruits provide specific antioxidants and nutrients, and products like seasonal juices and infusions, tailored to environmental needs, support bodily adaptation.