The idea of environmentalism is not an issue that is new to Islamic Faith, but one that is heavily embedded in the faith and existed since the begining of creation. It is a topic which should resonate in the hearts, minds and actions of its followers.
Islam is good interaction or good conduct with: Allah (God) & His Messenger, parents and family members, the community, both Muslim and others and nature, living and non-living. God Almighty has created everything in measure and proportion.
"And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance.
In order that ye may not transgress (due) balance.
So establish weight with justice and fall not short in balance.
It is He who has spread out the earth for (His) creatures:
Therein is fruit and date palms, producing spathes (enclosing dates);
Also grains, with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder, and sweet-smelling plants.
Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
Al Qur'an [55:7-13]
In eccology, there is an idea that there is an inherent equilibrium in most ecosystems, with the plants and animals interacting so as to produce a stable, continuing system of life on Earth. The activities of human beings can and frequently do disrupt the balance of nature.
Our Creator has informed us that He has made man a viceroy on earth and has subjected all that He created on the earth for our benefit.
"Behold", thy Lord said to the Angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth...."
Al Qur'an Surat Al Baqarah [2:30]
"Seest thou not that Allah has made subject to you (men) all that is on the earth and the ships that sail through the sea by His command? he withholds the sky (rain) from falling on the earth except by His leave; for Allah is Most Kind and Most Merciful to man."
Al Qur'an Surat Al Hajj [22:65]
Man has an immense amount of responsibility not to transgress the limits set out before His Lord. There is a sacred shared trust that they lay in the hands of human beings. God Almighty said:
"O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: but waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters."
Al Qur'an [7:31]
What the Faith says about:-
Water
The word earth appears 485 times in the Qur'an and the word Shari'a (meaning Islamic Law] literally translates 'Source of Water'. Islam forbids the wastage of water as well the wastage of anything else. The Prophet Muhammad used to perform ablution before he prayed with 3/4 of a cup of water.
The Prophet (Peace & blessings be upon him) said:
"Humans are partners in the possession of three: water, fire and plants."
Extravagance
Muslims are encourage to live modest lives. Luxuriousness and extravagance are discouraged. Muslims should live in harmony with the earth and they are commanded to be kind and gentle to all that exists on and in the earth. Even the amount a human being should eat is prescribed for them. Muslims are advised to eat to a maximum of 1/3 food and drink upto 1/3 of water. This leaves 1/3 space for air. It is not befitting that a Muslim eats while his neighbour goes hungry. The neighbourhood in Islam is considered to be 40 houses in every direction. Sharing of food, water, wealth etc is highly encouraged and rewarded, in this beautiful way of life.
Plants
Muslims obtain reward for planting crops and trees, feeding the poor and being gentle and kind to animals.
"There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but it is regarded as a charitable gift from him." [Saying of Prophet Muhammad- Hadith]
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:-
"When they hour comes, if someone has a palm shoot in his hands, he should plant it."
Illness
"God has sent down both the disease and the cure, and He has appointed a cure for every disease, so treat yourselves medically, but use nothing unlawful."[Hadith]
The treament of disorders and diseases should always be in harmony with the earth. In fact ,Islam provides a wealth of information regarding cures for a variety of conditions, diseases and disorders.
Kindness to Creation
There is a great reward to be gained from showing kindness to animals. The Prophet Muhammad [peace and blessings be upon him] recalled a story a about a man and his kindness to a dog:-
"While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of extreme thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as I am.' So he (went down the well) filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. God thanked him for His (good) deed and forgave him. " The people asked, "O God's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?" He replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate being." [Hadith]
Muslims should not allow one's beasts of burden (camels) to become hungry (through neglect), or even to overburden them (by loading them too heavily). [Hadith]
This is because our Creator has informed us:-
"There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have We omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end." Al Qur'an [6:38]
Written by Lisa jane Dhar & Shiekh Abdalla Yassin Mohamed