THE ENVIRONMENT
In Islam the relationship between humankind and the environment is based on the fact that everything
on earth worships Allah.
This worship is not merely ritual practice, but translated into actions; which means it is part of the belief
of the Muslim to not damage the environment. Moreover, humans are responsible for the welfare and
sustenance of the other inhabitants of this global environment, as the animal and plant kingdoms can
not damage or destroy their environments.
PRESERVING TREES
Prophet Mohammad encouraged farming to increase agricultural
resources and enhance a benevolent environment.
He said:
“Whenever a
Muslim plants or grows asapling or a plant, and a
human being, a beast, or anything else feeds upon
it, it is counted for him as an act of benevolence.” (Reported by Al – Bukhari)
Also, Prophet Mohammad was the frst to establish
environmental reservations, where trees could not be
cut down and animals could not be killed. He protected
the whole of Madina where no tree could be uprooted
and nothing bigger than what can be used to drive a
camel could be cut.
He said:
“It is sacred, and none of
its trees may be cut, except for a man feeding his camel.”
(Reported by Al – Bukhari)
He also said:
“I forbid the trees between the two lavas of
Madina to be cut down.” (Reported by Al – Bukhari)
WATER
The prohibition on polluting water sources and roads
and other areas of the common environment, are
some of the Islamic directives that aim to keep the
environment healthy and pollution free.
Islam makes
the protection of the environment and censure of its
corruption a duty of every citizen in the righteous
society.
“Why were there not among the generations before
you some upright men preaching against corruption on
earth?” (Qur`an 11, 116)
“Let no one urinate in stagnant water.”
(Reported by Al – Bukhari)
“Avoid the three actions that bring people’s curses:
defecating in water sources, on roads, and in the shade.”
(Reported by Abu Dawood)
CARING FOR ANIMALS
Imam Ibn Hazm says in his book Al-Muhalla:
“Charity to animals is benevolence and piety, and when a
man does not help with animal welfare, he is promoting
sin and aggression and disobeying God the Almighty.”
To keep an animal far from food and water, and to
neglect the irrigation of fruit trees and plants until they
perish is, according to God’s own words, corruption on
earth and destruction of plants and progeny.
“A prostitute was forgiven by God because, passing by
a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was
about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it
with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So,
God forgave her because of that good deed.”
(Al-Bukhari)
KEEPING CITIES CLEAN
Prophet Mohammad used to urge people to clean and
not pollute their towns.
He said:
“I have been shown the
deeds of my followers: both good and bad ones. I found
among their good deeds the removal of harmful objects
from people’s way.” (Reported by Muslim)
He also said: “Faith includes over seventy branches, ...the
simplest of which is the removal of any source of harm
from the road.”(Reported by Muslim)
COMMUNITY
Prophet Mohammad forbade causing harm to
individuals and to the community, as he said:
“There shall be no infliction of harm on oneself or others.”
(An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadiths)
He also forbade any injury to one’s neighbour, any
neighbour, whether in residence, public transport,
public places, or offices.
He said: “Whoever believes
in God and the Day of Judgment should not hurt his
neighbour.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)