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Islam and the Environment Author: Sanjida Afzal Published on: September 19, 1998 Many people express their concern these days about the preservation of the environment, so much so that this has become a trend worldwide. It is interesting to indicate here that an increasing number of people in the West ask about the position of Islam toward the environment. Here are a few thoughts on the subject which I've come across recently. First of all, Islam makes it incumbent on every Muslim to contribute his/her share in improving greenery. Muslims should be active in growing more trees for the benefit of all people. In one tradition the Prophet says: "If the Hour is about to take place while any one of you has a sapling in his hand, which he can cultivate before it takes place, let him cultivate it for he will be rewarded for it. " Every country in the world worries about wasting water. This applies even to Canada, one of the richest states in water resources. Look how Islam deals with this issue. A Muslim is recommended to save water in his ceremonial washing for prayer even if he has a river at his disposal, according to one tradition of the Prophet. Furthermore, a Muslim is warned against urinating in still water. Islam's care of the environment is not limited to times of peace. This also applies to behavior in wars where Muslims are required to avoid cutting trees which are useful to people in general. Islam's mercy is not restricted to human beings but is extended to animals and birds. Game hunting of birds or animals just for the pleasure of the sport and not for a real need is forbidden in Islam. Even when a Muslim slaughters an animal or a bird for eating, he has to sharpen his knife and treat the animal gently and never cut its meat until it becomes completely senseless and lifeless. The Prophet once saw a mother bird flying over the heads of a group of Muslims as if seeking for its little one which they had taken. Seeing this, the Prophet ordered them to return the little bird back to its mother. Islam even gives a special attention to insects. It considers them signs and miracles of God. That is why insects like flies, spiders and bees, ants, etc., are mentioned in the context of being miracles of God in the Quran. Once the Prophet said: "One woman qualified to enter Hell fire just because of her behavior towards a cat. She imprisoned it, and neither did she feed it nor did she release it to seek for its food from the open land. We are told by the Prophet of mercy that a prostitute's sins were forgiven because she gave drinking water to a thirsty dog. After she drank from a well, she saw a thirsty dog to which she gave drinking water. The Prophet warned us against cursing animals which we ride, and which carry our burdens. He, on the contrary, commands Muslims to treat them gently and with kindness. All games and sports harmful to animals and birds are forbidden in Islam because of their cruelty. In no other religion, philosophy or ideology except Islam do we find a unique attitude toward nature, i.e., the universe. Time and again we find God swearing in the Quran by various elements of nature, His creation. Several chapters in the Holy Book of Muslims begin with an oath like: By the Heavens, by the moon, the sun, the stars, the night, the day, the trees, animals, vegetation, etc. . . . This is to indicate, among other things, the great value of these elements.
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