Islam is a complete code of life.It encompasses every aspect of human life, including the entire natural world.The main plank of Islam is to lead mankind from darkness to light.As Allah Himself said,“This is a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad!) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness into light.” (Surah Ibrahim:1)
As regards the environment,Islam lays immense stress on the preservation of environment.Conserving environment is a religious duty in Islam.It teaches that every Muslim is the custodian of Nature.Muslims are instructed to protect environment and natural resources in every possible way and not to damage it in any form.Allah Himself calls upon human beings to reflect on His Signs which include all spheres of nature such as trees,mountains,seas, animals,birds,stars,the sun,the moon and our own hearts.The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught his followers that allnatural resources were created by God and were set by Him in perfect equilibrium.
Natural resources are gifts of God to all mankind.No one can monopolise them.It was narrated that Muhammad ﷺ stated that the people have equal share in water,grass(green cover) and fire (energy)except what was officially privatised.
Muhammad ﷺ set a general rule of protecting natural resources,preserving environment and securing people when he said to his companions: “You are not to harm or to be harmed.”
(Muhammad Biography and Pictorial Guide, P. 170)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Any Muslim who sows a seed that grows to a level,people or animals or birds can benefit or eat from it,then this act is considered a Sadaqua (a charity that is rewarded by God).
He further said, “Faith in God can be branched into more than 70 parts topped by testifying the oneness of God.The last part is removing harm from people’s way.”
It should be noted that water plays a crucial role in sustaining environment.That is why Islam vehemently condemns wastage of water and its unnecessary spending.The Holy Qur’an says, “Out of water,We made every living creature.” (S.2,V.30) “Verily the spendthrifts (squanderers and over spenders)are brothers of devils (evil ones) and the devil-Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord.” (S.17,A.27) “Eat and drink with no extravagance.Certainly, He does not like the prodigals (those who waste and overspend).” (S.17,V.31)
The crux of the matter is that on this planet animals and all other creatures,like human beings, are parts of this environment.And so, it is imperative for us to treat them well.It is forbidden to detain or confine animals for no genuine reason.Even lashing animals or hitting them on their faces and overloading them are also prohibited.
It is clear from the above mentioned Qur’anic verses and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺthat Islam pays much attention to respecting nature and caring for environment.Being stewards of the earth and custodian of environment,it is incumbent upon us to live with harmony with other creatures and save environment from all sorts of pollution,contamination and blight.
In 1972,the UN General Assembly designated 5 June as World Environmental Day on the first day of the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment.Hence,since then the World Environment Day is observed on 5 June every year across the world to spread awareness about environmental protection.
[The writer is Faculty Member, DarulUloomNadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh]