Islam and the environment

Muslims do not look for a divine presence in Nature. God transcends both nature and humanity. It is by right action, rather than mystical vision, that Muslims fulfil their duty “to keep the equilibrium of use and protect the earth”. In recent times they have felt powerless against the pollution of the earth, particularly because it is usually the result of Western encroachment. Recent fundamentalism, though claiming to defend the tradition, is “in opposition to core teachings of the Qur'an that view all humanity as the creation of God, that call for the avoidance of excess, and that mandate respect for women.... A retrieval of the action-oriented ethic...would contribute toward protecting the earth as a trust, ammanah, for the next generation...” – summary of Nawal Ammar, “Islam and Deep Ecology” ch. 9 in Deep Ecology and World Religions (SUNY, 2001)

Sayings of the prophet (Hadith) and the Holy Qur'an

Jihad (holy war): On his return from a battle, the Prophet said: "We are finished with the lesser jihad; now we are starting the greater jihad." He explained... that fighting against an outer enemy is the lesser jihad; fighting against one's self is the greater jihad.

“Work in this world as if you are living forever, and work for the hereafter as if you are dying tomorrow.” Hadith.

“If the Day of Judgement comes while you are planting a new tree, carry on and plant it.” Hadith.

The commons: “People are partners in water, pasture land and fire.” Hadith . “The water is to be divided amongst them” Qur'an 54:86.

God has created every animal from water; of them there are some that creep on their bellies, some that walk on two legs, and some that walk on four.” Qur'an 24:25 “There is not an animal on earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, [that is ] not part of a community like you.” Qur'an 6:38.

“A good deed done to a beast is as good as doing good to a human being; while an act of cruelty to a beast is as bad as an act of cruelty to a human being.” Hadith.

“All creatures are God's dependents and the most beloved to God among them is the one that does good to God's dependents.” Hadith.

“If anyone plants a tree, or sows a field, and humans, beasts or birds eat from it, he should consider it a charity on his part.” Hadith.

“To Him belongs what is in the heavens and earth, and all that is in between, and all that is beneath the soil.” Qur'an 20:6

[On fasting, vigils and celibacy] “Allah does not tolerate the extremes of abstentions and moderation is the best path to piety.” Hadith.

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We thank for these quotations: Nawal Ammar, “Islam and Deep Ecology”; BBC, The internal jihad; Last Prophet's Info, The prophet's approach to environmentalism; Khaled Hamid, “If the day of Judgment is coming go ahead and plant that tree; IFEES Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environment Services, UK and its newsletter EcoIslam.

Islam and the environment

"Greater indeed than the creation of man is the creation of the heavens and the earth." (40:57)

The Prophet Muhammad told his followers they would be rewarded by God for taking care of the Earth. He said:

"If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, 8:41)

Another tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, or hadith, quotes him as saying: "If the Hour (Judgment Day) is about to be established and one of you is holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before the Hour is established to plant it."

An example of Muslims taking ownership of their divine obligation to protect the environment was seen recently when the people of Tanzania reversed a growing trend toward ecological destruction through a policy of sustainable fishing and environmental preservation based on the principles of the Quran.

Prior to implementation of the educational program, over-harvesting by fishermen on the Muslim-majority island of Misali had threatened the area's aquatic ecosystem. But thanks to an indigenous campaign to remind local inhabitants of Islam's respect for nature, those who earn their living from the sea learned the benefits of protecting the region's biodiversity.

http://islam.about.com/od/activism/a/earth_day.htm

See also Austin Arensberg, Handbook for Environmental Conservationists in the Muslim World http://www.austinarensberg.com/?page_id=237 - for example:

Khalq, “Creation”

The word Khalq can be used in substitute for “environment”. Just as the theme of Tawhid helped explained the creator, Allah, Khalq helps elaborate Allah’s creation – earth. This theme like Tawhid can be used to form a basis of introspection for the target audience. The line from the Qu’ran: He created everything and determined it most exactly. 25:2<2> (Khalid, 2003, 16)
Allah’s creation includes not just humans and animals but even abiotic objects such as rocks and air. Therefore the environment, and the natural resources are all a part of Allah’s Khalq (Khalid, 2003, 16). The concepts of Tawhid and Khalq are important because they place inherent responsibilities on Muslims’ actions towards the environment because it is a product of Allah and created for their use. Earth can be viewed as Allah’s creation. If people abuse this creation of Allah’s it is in defiance of Him.
’Amana, “A Trust”
The concept of ’Amana explains the trust bestowed upon humankind. This trust is something given to a person in which he is expected to act in a certain way but has the power to use it otherwise. If humans uphold the trust they will avoid bringing punishment to themselves.

We did indeed offer
The Trust To the Heavens
And the Earth
And the Mountains;
But they refused
To undertake it,

Surah 33: al-Ahzab vss. 72-73 (Ali, 1989,1080)

See also BBC: Islam and the environment; Fazlun Khalid, Islam and the environment; Islamonline.net; IDRC; Mawal Izzi Dien, Environmental Dimensions of Islam.