Water Consumption in Qatar in the Light of Sharīʿah: An Exploratory Study

This study addresses the issue of water consumption in Qatar. It illustrates how there are water wastages in spite of KAHRAMAA’s efforts at rationalization and how water consumption at the individual level, in households, agriculture and industry is intrinsically linked to human behavior. The thesis argues that the ordinances of Islamic law, the Sunnah and the effectiveness of religious discourses can have a strong impact in reducing wastage. The thesis makes the case that scholars and preachers can play an important role in raising awareness and guiding members of the community to adopt water-saving practices and behaviors. The study relied on a descriptive and analytical approach based on available statistics as well as the use of a survey. The research sample was distributed among the eight municipalities of Qatar. The sample ratio was divided according to the population living in those municipalities and in relation the population of Qatar as a whole. In addition to having conducted personal interviews with a number of scholars and preachers over the issue of water consumption for one’s personal daily ablutions, the study explains how the Shari‘a actually encourages moderate water use. The study concludes by stressing the importance of religious discourse and its positive impact on the rationalization of water consumption in Qatari society. If the advice of scholars and preachers is followed, water waste at all levels would be considerably reduced. KAHRAMA’s efforts as part of a wider water-saving policy would therefore be to issue water-consumption standards for everyday needs and which would need to be followed by all residents of Qatar.