Better Earth

Assalaamu alaikum [Peace be to you],

Today I'd like to talk about the environment and Islamic perspective on preservation of the environment.


Islamic environmental ethics, like all other forms of ethics in Islam, is based on clearcut legal foundations which Muslims hold to be formulated by God. Thus, in Islam, an acceptance of what is legal and what is ethical has not involved the same processes as in cultures which base their laws on humanistic philosophies.

GOD, MAN AND THE ENVIRONMENT:</u>

In Islam, the conservation of the environment is based on the principle that all the individual components of the environment were created by God, and that all living things were created with different functions, functions carefully measured and
meticulously balanced by the Almighty Creator. Although the various components of the natural environment serve humanity as one of their functions, this does not imply
that human use is the sole reason for their creation. …
The legal and ethical reasons for protecting the environment can be summarized as follows:
the environment is God's creation and to protect it is to preserve its values as a sign of the Creator. To assume
that the environment's benefits to human beings are the sole reason for its protection may lead to environmental misuse or
destruction.
the component parts of nature are entities in continuous praise of their Creator. Humans may not be able to understand the form or nature of this praise and glorification, but the fact that the Qur'an describes it is, for the Muslim, an additional reason for environmental preservation:
تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ السَّمَاوَاتُ السَّبْعُ وَالْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا
"The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving. "
^{The holy Qur'an -Translation of 17:44}

the Qur'an's acknowledgment that human-kind is not the only nation to live in this world —
وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّا أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم ۚ
"There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are nations like you."
^{The holy Qur'an - translation of Surah 6:38}
means that while humans may currently have the upper hand
over other "nations," these other creatures are beings and, like us, are worthy of respect and protection.

No other creature is able to perform the task of protecting the environment. God entrusted humans with the duty of viceregency, a duty so onerous and burdensome that no other creature would accept it:
إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنسَانُ ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا
"Indeed, we offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man undertook it. Indeed, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant."
^{The holy Qur'an - translation of Surah 33:72}


PRINCIPLES OF ISLAMIC ETHICS</u>

Islamic ethics are founded on two principles — human nature, and religious and legal grounds.
The first principle, natural instinct (fitrah*), was imprinted in the human soul by God at the time of creation. Having natural instinct, the ordinary individual can, at least to some extent, distinguish not only between good and bad, but also between these and that which is neutral, neither good nor bad. However, an ethical conscience is not a sufficient personal guide. Due to the complexities of life an ethical conscience alone cannot define the correct attitude to every problem. Moreover, a person does not live in a vacuum, but is affected by outside influences which may corrupt the ability to choose between good and evil. Outside influences include customs, personal interests, and prevailing concepts concerning one's surroundings.

The religious and legal grounds upon which Islamic ethics is founded were presented by the messengers of God. These messengers were possessed of a special nature, and since they were inspired by God, they were able to avoid the outside influences which may affect other individuals. Legal instructions in Islam are not negative in the sense of forcing the conscience to obey. On the contrary, legal instructions have been revealed in such a way that the conscience approves and acknowledges them to be correct. Thus the law itself becomes a part of human conscience, thereby guaranteeing its application and its success.


All creatures are God's dependents...</u>

Within the Islamic faith, an individual's relationship with the environment is governed by certain moral precepts. These originate with God's creation of humans and the role they were given upon the Earth. Our universe, with all its diverse component elements was created by God and the human being is an essential part of His Measured and Balanced Creation. The role of humans, however, is not only to enjoy, use and benefit from their surroundings. They are expected to preserve, protect and promote their fellow creatures. The Prophet Mohammed -peace be upon him- said: "All creatures are God's dependents and the best among them is the one who is most useful to God's dependents." The Prophet of Islam looked upon himself as responsible for the trees and the animals and all natural elements.

The relationship between human beings and their environment includes many features in addition to subjugation and utilization. Construction and development are primary but our relationship to nature also includes
meditation, contemplation and enjoyment of its beauties.
Islam permits the utilization of the natural environment but this utilization should not involve unnecessary destruction.
Squandering is rejected by God. The component elements of life have to be protected so that their utilization may continue in a sustainable way. Yet even this preservation must be undertaken in an altruistic fashion, and not merely for its benefit to human beings. The Prophet Mohammed -peace be upon him- said: "Act in your life as though you are living forever and act for the Hereafter as if you are dying tomorrow." These actions must not be restricted to those
which will derive direct benefits. Even if doomsday were expected imminently, humans would be expected to continue their good behavior, for Mohammed said: "if doomsday comes and someone has a palm shoot in his hand, let him plant it."


Islam is a religion of submission to God, master of all worlds. The Earth and all its inhabitants were created and are dominated by God. Preserving the environment, for the Muslim, is considered one kind of worship. and he will be rewarded for it.

^{from [link]}



I hope that was beneficial for you all


*read more about fitrah here [link]