Anything that surrounds us comes under the category of environment whether it is a living or non-living thing. Allah has blessed us with lots of uncountable blessings including resources like water, land, trees, air, animals, mountains, and many more. We should always be grateful to him that even after so many sins HE forgives us and NEVER stops His blessing on us. As human beings, we should take care of all these resources and use them in a sustainable way as advised by Allah.
“And do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.” (Qur’an, 2:60), and elsewhere: “And do not desire corruption in the land. Indeed, God does not like corruptors.”
According to this verse, corruption is not the only one that is done by politicians like theft,
illegal banking, and drugs, rather it is also in the context of disturbing the environment by cutting down trees, throwing garbage in rivers and streets use of pesticides also grave corruption on the earth and hence brazen violation of Islamic values.
“And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all
things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And
from the palm trees – of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] it’s ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.”
Qura’an also talks about the creation of multiple delicious fruits and plants by Allah. He has created them with a unique and elegant style that no one can make, Indeed HE is the creator of all creatures. Therefore we should be grateful for these blessings and should take proper care of them.
“And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away.”
Allah protects us in ways we don’t understand. He is protecting us from the harmful ultra-violet rays of the sun. He has made the ozone layer in the stratosphere for our protection but we are destroying that layer by producing toxic gases and releasing them into the atmosphere. So we should reduce this release so that we can protect the ozone layer from destruction.
“Verily all things We have created in proportion and measure.” Allah has created everything on this earth with density making it completely perfect. This serves as a timely reminder to those who are changing the perfect world created by Allah through land reclamation and destruction of the land.
Along with this our beloved Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, is a perfect example of being eco-friendly and going green in His life. He always talked about protecting the environment and planting trees. When He was young he traveled to Syria with his uncle and took shelter under a tree. Today, after more than 14 hundred years, the same tree is still alive in the northern deserts of Jordan. This tree, which sheltered the Prophet, is the only living tree in hundreds of square miles of emptiness. It speaks eloquently of the Prophet’s utmost care for the preservation of trees. He has also emphasized on the wise use of water and advised not to waste water.
There are more such beautiful traditions of the Prophet that serve as gentle reminders for us to reflect on Islam as an environment-friendly faith. These traditions exhort us to care for all creatures, protect the environment, conserve water, preserve nature, and care for all living beings, including trees and animals.
“If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (sadaqah) for him.” (Bukhari)
One day Prophet (s.a.w.) passed by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqas (r.a) while he was performing wudu’. The Prophet (saw) asked Sa`d: “What is this wastage?” Sa`d replied: “Is there wastage in wudu also?” The Prophet said, “Yes, even if you are at a flowing river.”
Likening a believer to a growing tree, the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind quietens down, the plant becomes straight again…”
Considering tree-planting a renewable source of reward, the Prophet said: “If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it,
it is regarded as a charitable gift (sadaqah) for him.” (Bukhari) “Remember when your Lord said to the angels ‘I am going to place a successive human authority on earth.’
Allah has chosen and created us humans to preside over the earth. Allah has made us “ASHARF-UL-MAKHLOOKAT” the one who is superior amongst all the creatures, therefore our responsibility is to fulfill this role that Allah has entrusted us with and this can be done through safeguarding and protecting the environment. It can only be done if we use the resources sustainably and reduce our carbon footprint in order to protect our beloved EARTH!
