{Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?} [Surat Al-Anbya 21:30].

We differentiate the Earth’s oceans to five separate entities. Despite the fact that there is really only one ocean. So, how big is it? As of 2013, it takes up 71% of the Earth, houses 99% of the biosphere, and contains some of Earth’s grandest geological features.

Water plays a central role in Islam. Professor Abdel Majid al-Salahin, the dean of the Department of Islamic Jurisprudence at the University of Jordan says; “Allah mentions the word ‘water’ more than 60 times in the Qur’an and there are also many references to rain, snow and ice. Moreover, the Qur’an clearly condemns the wasting of water.”

There is a prophetic hadith where Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) sees one of his companions, Saad, performing ablution. As Saad is using a lot of water, the Prophet asks him: “Why are you wasting water like this?” Saad is surprised and asks whether it is possible to waste water during ablution. To this the Prophet responds that one must never waste water, even on the banks of a flowing river.

In this TEDx video, Scott Gass reminds us of the influence humans have on the ocean and the influence it has on us.