When we search for life in space, we first look for water. Indeed, NASA’s motto in this is: “Follow the water.” Hence the Qur’anic verse (21:30), “And we have made from water every living thing,” immediately followed by the lesson to be drawn out of that reflection: “Will they not then believe?” Why is water so beneficial to life? Water has wonderful properties. First, as a liquid it is the best solvent: It breaks down bonds between molecules and allows them to move freely and interact with other molecules, often making bigger, more complex molecules, which are necessary for life. Secondly, water absorbs heat well and regulates both temperature and acidity remarkably, something that is also essential for living organisms (to be protected from wild variations in temperature or acidity). Moreover, our bodies need large quantities of water on a daily basis to move nutrients to various organs, thus allowing all bodily functions to proceed in an optimal and stable manner. And that is why fasting is difficult, or at least challenging, without water. But through this hard way of fasting we are constantly reminded about the importance of water in our lives, and we recall the hardships that millions of people endure every day around the world because water is scarce and limited for them, for drinking and/or other uses in life. We then recall the Islamic principles of preservation of water. For instance, Prophet Muhammad told his companions to use only small amounts of water when performing ablutions (washing for prayers) “even if you are at a flowing river.” We cannot live without water; that much is clear. The British poet W. H. Auden put it eloquently: “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” Ramadan comes to remind us how our bodies get wrecked when we miss water even for a few hours. We should also be mindful of the scarcity of drinkable water around the world — this “white gold” as it is sometimes known — and thus make every effort to preserve it and use it wisely and efficiently. In fact, we should wonder at the marvel that this simple molecule, H2O, constitutes both in nature and in our bodies. Let Ramadan be an opportunity for us to recall all these lessons.