Significance of Environment in Islam

By Prof. Akhtar Mahmood

Over the years, our environment has been facing a severe threat. The rivers are polluted with undesirable chemicals and toxicants, underground water is being depleted and getting polluted. Forests are being lost at an alarming rate resulting in environmental degradation. A balance in oxygen and water in the environment is being lost, which is so important to sustain and preserve the human civilization on the planet earth.

For the past century and a half enormous advances have taken place in science and technology to the benefit of mankind. But, these developments have also posed great problems and health hazards, threatening the existence of human life on earth.

Purpose of Human Creation

The question of the creation of human beings is relevant, to understand the role of religion in the environment. The Holy Qur’an states“Blessed be He, in whose hands is all sovereignty. He has power over all things. He created death and life, that He might put to test and find out, which of you acquitted himself best. He is Mighty, Forgiving one (Surah -Al-Mulk 67:1-2)”.

Life is thus, a brilliant demonstration of God’s wisdom and knowledge. He has shown the humans the right path, to sustain the life on this planet. There is a complete stability and unity in the laws of the universe. The entire cosmos is remarkably homogenous and in balance. Besides, the Creator, there is no one, who has power to interfere with or change this system and its laws, which are based on justice. Man being a part of the whole system must also operate justly in the sphere over which he is given control and power, otherwise, he is working against the natural laws of the Universe, as well as his own nature. The result of which can be alarming calamities and destruction, we may face in the environment. Cleanliness in Islam: Nearest to the human body is its soul, followed by the environment in which a person lives. Thus, Islam addresses itself in considerable depth to the question of cleanliness and purity of both soul and body, since it is the essence of good appearance and health.“Say not equal are things that, are bad and things that are good, even though the abundance of bad may dazzle you. So fear God, O you! That understand so that you may prosper”. (Sura Al-Ma’idah 5:100) Also at another place, Qur’an says“Happy shall be the man, who purifies himself, who remembers the name of his Lord and prays to Him”. (Sura Al- A’la 87: 14-15)

The holy Prophet (Pbuh) has said “Cleanse yourself, for Islam is cleanliness”. “Cleanliness invites towards faith and faith leads its possessor to the Gardens (Heavens)”.

Diet also plays an important role in human health. Thus, Islam has prohibited certain foods and allowed others“O people, eat of what is lawful and good on earth, and do not follow the foot-steps of the Evil one for he is your avowed enemy (Sura Al- Baqarah 2:168)”. Thus, personal cleanliness and the environment in which a person lives is greatly emphasized in Islam.

Further, all those means, which can lead man to indecency and corruption of the environment are also discouraged in Islam. Thus, drinking and gambling are prohibited in Islam. As the holy Qur’an states“They ask you, (O Muhammad) about drinking and gambling, say there is a great harm in both, though, there is some benefit for the people, but harm of the sin is far greater than the benefit” (Sura Al-Baqarah 2:219).

Emphasis on Plantation and Agriculture

Forestry and Agriculture form the backbone of human civilization. However, we find in recent times, a large scale deforestation has occurred all round the world. This has resulted in ecological imbalances in the natural resources of the environment. The Prophet (Pbuh) has said: when a Muslim plants a plant or cultivates a crop, no bird or human being eats from it without it being accounted as charity for him.

Messenger of God (Pbuh), once remarked that even if you knew that the world would end tomorrow, you should plant a tree.

Management of Water Resources

There are numerous passages in the Qur’an, which mention the effect of rain water on the growth of vegetation. In (Surah Al-Nahl 16: 10-11) we read, “God is one, who sends water down from the sky. For you there is a drink and out of it (grow) shrubs in which you let cattle graze freely. There with for you He makes sown fields, olive, palm trees, and all kinds of fruits grow.” Thus, the proper and judicious use of the water resources is of utmost importance to keep the viable environment for the benefit of humanity.

Depletion of resources

Moderation is the most important characteristic of Islam. It is probably how Islam views human nature and the meaning of life. Man is created by God-Almighty and is commanded to be God’s viceroy on earth. Islam discourages luxurious and lavish living. It is a general observation that luxurious life styles lead to weakness among nations, and eventually to their downfall. The existence of luxury is also an expression of social injustice, as few can afford luxurious items at the expense of the deprived masses of people. The holy Qur’an says“when we intend to destroy a township, we permit its luxury loving people to commit wickedness therein. Then the word is proved true against it and we then destroy it utterly” (Surah Al-Isra 17:16). Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) was the perfect example of moderation. He advised his followers to spend within their means, neither to be too lavish as to make themselves destitute nor to hold back their wealth from those who had a claim on their resources.

Corruption, dissolution, nervous and mental disorders, intellectual and sexual perversions are eating away the body of present day civilization by destroying the nations and individuals, by exposing the people to evil and corrupt means of life. However, as long as the human kind follows the laws ordained by the creator, all aspects of his life in the environment of the earth go the natural way. But, if deviations occur from the prescribed path of the Creator (God-Almighty) all the social, environmental calamities that, human beings face today ensue. It is in the fitness of things, that human life styles be programmed according to the laws of the creator to save humanity from environmental disasters.

(The author is Professor, Department of Bio-Chemistry, Punjab University, Chandigarh -160014.)