River Nile (Importance in Islam)

Important Rivers in view of Islam

  River Nile

Nile River is the longest river in the world. It is situated in Africa and rises south of the Equator and flows northward through northeastern Africa.It drains into the Mediterranean Sea. It has a length of about 6,650 kilometres .It ‘s area is about 3,349,000 square kilometres. 

River Nile (Importance in Islam)

The Nile is an "international" river as its water resources are shared by eleven countries. Both sides of the River Nile are covered with deserts.River Nile runs right down the middle of the whole country 
The Nile has two major tributaries 
1-The White Nile 
2- Blue Nile. 

1-The White Nile 

The White Nile is considered to be the headwaters and primary stream of the Nile itself. The White Nile is longer and rises in the Great Lakes region of central Africa, with the most distant source still undetermined but located in either Rwanda .It flows north through Tanzania, Lake Victoria, Uganda and South Sudan 

2- Blue Nile.

 The Blue Nile is the source of most of the water and fertile soil. It flows north through Tanzania, Lake Victoria, Uganda and South Sudan. The Blue Nile begins at Lake Tana in Ethiopia and flows into Sudan from the southeast. The two rivers meet near the capital of Khartoum. The northern section of the river flows northwards almost entirely through the Sudan desert to Egypt .It ends into the Mediterranean Sea 

River Nile is river of paradise 

The Holy Prophet (PBUH)) told us about the rivers of Paradise. He said that during his Israa' (Night Journey) he saw four rivers flowing out from beneath Sidrat al-Muntahaa, two visible and two hidden. He asked, "O Jibreel, What are these rivers?" He said, "The two hidden rivers are rivers of Paradise, and the two visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates". 

Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab al-Israa,Al-Bukhari 

Historical importance of river Nile

Egyptian civilization and Sudanese kingdoms have depended on the river since ancient times. Most of the population and cities of Egypt lie along those parts of the Nile valley north of Aswan, Nearly all the cultural and historical sites of Ancient Egypt are found along river banks.Especially in Firo’wn time Hazrat Musa(A.S) was owned by Nile. Egyptians had settled in the Nile valley due to the abundant water of this river.

An ancient custom  about river Nile

 It was an ancient custom with the Egyptians that in July a virgin decked in bridal clothes was thrown in the river as an offering to propitiate the god of the river Nile. When Egypt came under Muslim rule especially Hazrat Umar bin Kahatab, the Egyptian elders waited on wanted his permission for continuing the old custom of throwing a virgin in the river . But they were not permitted.
Hazrat Umar bin Kahatab(R.A) send a letter addressed to the River 
Wording of letter was as 
" From Allah's slave, the commander of the faithful, Umar, to the Nile, the river of the people of Egypt. After praising Allah and invoking blessings on Allah's messenger, If you flow on your own and according to your own will and pleasures, then don't flow. And if Allah, the One,  makes you flow, then we pray to Allah to make you flow again. "Hazrat Amr(R.A)  threw it into the Nile . One night had  past, and the water level of the Nile had risen to 16 cubic. Famine gave way to fertility  comfort and ease.Egypt became verdant and green. The River Nile has been flowing since. And there was no need for any further human sacrifices.