Islam originated within a harsh, desert climate and hence water is seen as a scarce resource meant to be revered and preserved. Islam ascribes to water qualities such life-giving, sustaining, purifying resource… It considers water as the origin of all life on earth. The water of rain, rivers and fountains is considered benevolent, meant to wash away sins. Islamic Law emphasizes on the fair and equitable distribution of water to everyone within a community. Water is also used as a symbolization of Paradise; Quranic references to cooling rivers, fresh rain, fountains of flavoured drinking water in Paradise, show that water is the essence of the gardens of Paradise.1. Purification through ablution – obligatory component in Islamic prayer ritual.
- The oju-khana within the mosque serves this function.
2. Water tanks, springs, fountains - mostly still representation of water i.e. in its calm state in gardens and within fort complexes. Persian gardens, tomb complexes etc. exhibit these. Eg. Shalimar Gardens in Kashmir, Humayun’s Tomb in Lucknow.
3. Construction of summer palaces, combined with mosques with existing water bodies such as lakes. The lakes are bounded within a geometric edge wall. Eg. Sarkhej in Ahmedabad.
4. There is no concrete reference of natural water-bodies such as rivers or seas (flowing water) as a factor in planning of an Islamic city, or of its presence playing a major part in urbanization. Such phenomena are mainly for scenic viewing and pleasure activities.
Riverfronts have been a major factor for urbanisation and constitute an integral part of Hindu daily life. Khulna was once part of Bengal, eastern India, and was pre-dominantly Hindu in history. Rivers in the Islamic context have been harnessed for irrigation, drawing of canals for water supply to the city, fort and palace complexes. There does not seem to be a direct relation with the riverfront and daily Islamic life.
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