One
of the amazing things that strike the reader of the Quran is its
significant and multifaceted emphasis on the relationship of man to the
environment. This is not merely about self, family and surroundings.
It’s about the whole universe—heavens and earth—and all of Allaah’s
magnificent creation in them. I'm talking about all the constituents of
what some call "nature," and down to the details: It’s geological
foundations, waters, steady and violent shifts and movements, and its
countless, varied forms of life and existence, and how it cycles and
sustains them.
I
know many scientists whom the Quran simply over-awed once they realized
what it says about life, nature, and the universe. They were seized by
the literally hundreds of Quranic verses that discuss and give guidance
about the issues of the environment—all the ones we are suddenly talking
about today, and plenty more that haven’t even come into view yet. What
grabbed them was the realization that Allaah Almighty clearly knew how
abusive unguided man would be to his planetary home.
Just
look at what we have brought upon ourselves and our innocent fellows in
creation in but the last handful of decades. Perhaps this is why I too
now find reading the Quran's beautiful, moving, and harrowing
"environmental" verses so spiritually and intellectually uplifting.
Allaah Almighty Says what means: “The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know.” [Quran 40:57] Or: “And
there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with
its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not
neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be
gathered.” [Quran 6:38]
In
light of the unprecedented environmental crises we are facing today, I
thought to speak to a bit of what Islam has to offer man to help him get
the balance back in his life and restore his intimate and timeless
relationship with creation. I call them Islam’s Five Environmental
Commandments:
One: Man is part of the environment
Man,
literally in sum and substance, is of the environment. Thus he must
feel and live in harmony with it. Both man and his environment are the
creation of the God—and both are worshippers of Him—with the technical
exception that man has the will to refuse to worship and obey God
willingly, though he does it unwillingly from moment to moment. Allaah
Says what means “The seven heavens and the
earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except
that it exalts [Allaah] by His praise, but you do not understand their
[way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving.” [Quran
17:44] And even though the earth and surroundings were created long
before man, the end of both is virtually synchronous—the end of
time—hence, the implicit benefit to man for leading an environmentally
friendly lifestyle. A corollary of this determinant is that the
environmental crisis is a human matter and cooperation on meeting its
challenges should, therefore, not be hampered by religious or other
differences.
Two: Man is trustee of the environment
Man
has accepted God's decree of Khilaafah (vicegerency, read verse 2:30),
which makes him responsible to use the environment to achieve his
God-given purpose in this life, with the condition that he maintains it
for future generations, which have as much right to it as their
predecessors. The Prophet 
said: “People (past and future generations included) share alike in water, air, and herbage." [Abu Daawood]
Three: Man shall be fair to the environment
Man
cannot, and will not, fulfill or be true to his custodianship of the
earth without creation-wide fairness. The Quran could not be more
unequivocal when it comes to this principle. Man shall be fair in
leading his life in this world because God created it in a balanced
state. Should he fail, unwarranted injustice will lead to creation's
disruption and its inability to continue supporting man's needs for a
hospitable habitation. Read and ponder the import of verses which mean: “The
sun and the moon [move] by precise calculation, and the stars and trees
prostrate. And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance. That you
not transgress within the balance. And establish weight in justice and
do not make deficient the balance.” [Quran 55:5-9]
Four: Man shall not spread mischief in the Land
Man must realize that God forbids harm, big and small, to one's self and all others. The Prophet said: “There is no reason to) harm or reciprocate harm.” [Ibn Maajah] And Allaah Says (what means): “And
cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke
Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allaah is near to the
doers of good.” [Quran 7:56] Many scientists and
activists believe that efforts to restore a healthy balance to the
environment will never be achieved to any viable degree in the face of
the unfathomable destruction of our wars of greed.
Five: Man shall follow a model of moderation and conservation
Most
people do not grasp that much of the pollution comes from a culture of
consumerism, whose primary effect is waste. It is unfortunate that
people in the underdeveloped world, including Muslims, have embraced
being consumers and wasters. The Quran is true in depicting this
tendency of man, especially when resources become abundant. Allaah Says
(what means): “Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you. Until you visit the graveyards.” [Quran 102:1-2] But abundance does not justify wastage. God Almighty prohibits this. He Almighty Says what means: “Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.” [Quran
17:27] Insatiable pursuit of increased materials combined with
technological advancement has given some nations unprecedented control
over man and his environment. But history tells us that these are signs
that civilizations are doomed to perish.
