Environmental conservation, protection in Islam
AS WE had seen in the previous article, in Islam the utilisation of all natural resources is the right and privilege of all people and all species.
Hence, man should take every precaution to ensure the interests and rights of fellow humans as well as that of all other creatures since they are equal partners on earth.
Conservation is fundamental
The right to utilise and harness natural resources, which God has granted man, necessarily involves an obligation on man’s part to conserve them both quantitatively and qualitatively. God has created all the sources of life for man and all resources of nature that he requires.
This, so that he may realise objectives such as contemplation and worship, inhabitation and construction, sustainable utilisation and enjoyment as well as appreciation of beauty.
It follows that man has no right to cause the degradation of the environment and distort its intrinsic suitability for human life and settlement.
Nor has he the right to exploit or use natural resources unwisely in such a way as to spoil the food bases and other sources of subsistence for living beings, or expose them to destruction and defilement.
This obviously means that whatever man does in terms of development, exploration, farming, mining, etcetera must be done in a sensible manner which does not bring about wanton destruction of ecological systems, deforestation, widespread erosion, etc.
Water conservation
The Holy Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) declared: “Conserve water and be considerate, even if you happen to be upon a flowing river.”
This not only shows us that water is a gift from The Almighty but we have an obligation to be very conscious in its’ usage and consumption. It is a known fact that no living creature can do without water and that it is something that cannot be substituted.
Hence, it is important that we ponder over this gift and we realise its’ real value as well as truly appreciate it in every way possible.
All the gifts of the Almighty should be utilised in the correct manner without being wasted or abused. We should bear in mind that every creature of the Almighty has a right to water.
Therefore, it is the duty of each individual to make sure that water is conserved no matter where he/she is. Even when water is in abundant supply, one is not permitted to be wasteful or negligent in any way.
If this great gift of The Almighty is not used correctly, we will be guilty of depriving other creatures of their right.
It is also necessary that we thank The Almighty for it and we must understand that conservation and due consideration are a vital part of this. For this reason even upon a flowing river, (or a gushing borehole) we need to be considerate in our usage thereof.
Besides the need not to waste the water itself, we should avoid anything that may pollute or destroy the river, affect the surrounding ecosystem, harm the underwater life or render the water unfit for consumption and usage.
Sustainable development
Accordingly, while the attitude of Islam to the environment, the sources of life, and the resources of nature is based in part on prohibition of abuse, it is also based on construction and sustainable development.
This integration of the development and conservation of natural resources is clear in the idea of bringing life to the land and causing it to flourish through agriculture, cultivation, and construction.
God Almighty says: “…It is He Who has produced you from the earth and settled you therein...” (Ch 11 : v 61). The approach of Islam towards the use and development of the earth’s resources was put thus by Ali ibn Abi-Talib, the fourth Khalif of Islam, to a man who had developed and reclaimed abandoned land: “Partake of it gladly, so long as you are a benefactor, not a despoiler; a cultivator, not a destroyer.”
Afforestation — tree planting An example of the positive attitude towards the conservation of the environment and nature is found in the Prophet Muhammed’s (peace be upon him) declaration: “If any Believer plants a tree or sows a field, and a human, bird or animal eats from it; it shall be reckoned as charity from him.”
He also said: “If anyone plants a tree, neither human being nor any of God’s creatures will eat from it without its being reckoned as charity from him.”
Conclusion
This positive attitude involves taking measures to improve all aspects of life: health, nutrition, social well-being as well as the psychological and spiritual dimensions, for man’s benefit and the maintenance of his welfare, as well as for the betterment of life for all future generations. As is shown in the Prophetic declarations above, the aim of both the conservation and development of the environment in Islam is for the universal good of all created beings.