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practical environmentalism

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Submitted: December 30, 2012
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Earth for all and All for Earth.by *Nayzak

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Assalaamu alaikum [peace be to you],

What does Islam have to say about Earth and the environment?

Many people think that protecting and preserving nature is a modern concept. and many may be surprised to learn that Islam is the MOST nature-friendly religion in the world (^{It's a big claim, I know. and, in sha'Allah, I will prove it}). It, undoubtedly, takes care of environment by banning any form of harm to it as well as ordering people to protect it. Among the Divine Decrees that aim at maintaining the environment are:
1) Decree against spoiling things on earth. the God -Glory be to him- Says in his final testament:
وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا
Do no mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order
^{translation of Quran 7:56}
2) Banning making mischief on earth and destroying crops and progeny, and dispraising those who do such actions. Allah -Glory be to him- Says:
وَإِذَا تَوَلَّىٰ سَعَىٰ فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيُفْسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهْلِكَ الْحَرْثَ وَالنَّسْلَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَسَادَ
... When he turns his back, His aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and cattle. But Allah loves not mischief.
^{translation of Quran 2:205}

In the same vein, It was reported that the Prophet -peace be upon him- once said: "let there be be no harm nor reciprocal harm." In simple words, Islam bans harming others and reciprocal harm is also banned.

Examples of how to protect nature

In Islam the following should be done to protect and preserve the environment:
1- Planting trees, bushes, shrubs, etc. … for the sake of the reward in the Hereafter. It was reported that the Prophet Mohammed -peace be upon him- said: "If a Muslim plants a tree or cultivates a crop, then whenever a bird or a man or an animal eats from it, it will be considered as a charity for him."

2- It was reported that the Prophet -peace be upon him- said: "There is a reward for service to every living creature."
Generally speaking, in Islam all aspects of the environment are addressed. Agriculture is seriously considered. For example, the Prophet -peace be upon him- said ''even If the Hour (the end of the world) occurs and one of you holds a seed in his hand, then if he can sow it before the Hour occurs, let him do so.”

3- Muslims are instructed to cultivate barren lands and for such a task, a good reward is prepared for them in the Hereafter. It was reported that the Prophet -peace be upon him- said: "Whoever cultivates a wasteland will be rewarded; whatever is eaten from it (by a living creature) is a charity on his part."

4- Islam urges its followers to keep the streets clean and free from any harm, and such work is considered as a part of faith. It was reported that the Prophet Mohammed -peace be upon him- said: "Iman (Faith) consists of more than sixty parts, the best of which is to acknowledge Laa Ilaaha Illa Allah (i.e. there is none worthy of worship except Allah); and the lowest of them is to remove a thing that causes harm from a thoroughfare, and modesty is also a part of Iman."

God's Messenger -peace be upon him- said: "Whoever removes something harmful from the path of Muslims, a good deed will be written for him, and whose good deed is accepted (by the God) will enter Paradise."
he also said "A man passing along a road found a thorny branch leaning over the road and pushed it away. Allah appreciated his action and forgave his sins."
never underestimate a good deed!

5- As for animals, in Islam all human beings are instructed to safeguard animals, and use them only with moderation and wisdom. Islam states that those who hurt animals will be punished. In a Hadeeth: "A woman is punished for a cat she imprisoned until it died. She would go to hell because of it, having neither fed it nor watered it, for she confined it and would not let it go forage on the small creatures of the earth."
the prophet Mohammed -peace be upon him- also said: "May Allah's curse be upon the person who makes a living animal a target for shooting (i.e. for the sake of amusement and sport)".

6- In addition, in Islam, all human beings are ordered to maintain water. the Prophet -peace be upon him- said: "Avoid urinating into still water (in a reservoir or pond), and then bathing with it."
Needless to say that in Islam spoiling seas with nuclear radiation, destroying extra food fearing low prices, destroying trees and killing animals for amusement and safaris, wasting environmental resources and committing hostile acts against others, are all condemnable acts.

^{from [link] with some changes}

For more about how Islam is the most nature-friendly religion, please read my other articles:

^{Some people may dislike when I say that Islam is the most nature-friendly religion in the world. So if your religion calls for preserving nature more than Islam does, please write an article like mine in your page and share with us your religious teachings on nature. if I find a religion that preserves nature more than Islam, I will take back my claim.}

if I am right, it is from the God. if I am wrong, it is from myself. I only did my best and may the God forgive me.