Islam and the Environment

he relationship between man and the environment should be as sincere and upright as practical and rightly poised. Any deviation from this sensible and middle-path philosophy will invariably result in pushing man to the extremes on either side, all of which, however, are resolutely rejected by Islam.

Islam is not just a “religion.” Its teachings are not just about stating that God is the One and only, how to worship Him, or how to perform prayers. Islam also prescribes a way of life that goes beyond performing such rituals.
The Arabic word for religion is ‘dien,’ (pronounced as “dean”) which means “a way of life.” The Qur’an (anglicized spelling: Koran, the sacred text of Islam) often places religion outside the purely ritual context.
Islam describes an integrated code of behavior that deals with personal hygiene at one end of the spectrum and relationships with nature and the natural order at the other. It provides a holistic approach to existence; it does not differentiate between the sacred and the secular, nor does it place a distinction between the world of humanity and the world of nature. Among the teachings of Islam is how Muslims were ordered to preserve and protect the environment and keep it as intact as possible while using the Earth’s resources cautiously for humankind’s benefit.
Islam views environmental challenges as an indicator of a moral and ethical crisis. Looking at the creation of humans, Earth, and the cosmos as signs of the Creator is a key in Islamic values. Islam tells humans that we are created for a reason; the Quran says,
“He is the One Who has placed you as successors on earth and elevated some of you in rank over others, so He may test you with what He has given you.” [Qur’an 6: 165]
 
The Islamic worldview defines the ‘good life’ as living lightly on Earth with temperance or moderate abstention and caring for both people and nature. Islamic discourse offers hope and optimism about the possibility of attaining harmony between humans and nature. Earth will find a balance if humans rethink their lifestyles and mindsets, as stated in the Quran:
“Corruption has appeared in both land and sea because of what people’s (own) hands have wrought, so that they may taste something of what they have done, that they may turn back (to God’s teachings)” [Qur’an 30:41].
 
The verse tells us that the environment is humans’ responsibility and that humans should learn from their negative impact on the Earth.
Among the teachings of Islam regarding the environment, water stands as the most essential ingredient of life. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh), has often ordered Muslims not to waste water, especially during the washing before prayers (called Wudu). In his Hadith (Hadith: sayings of Prophet Muhammad, considered the second source of legalization in Islam, after the Quran), it is narrated that Prophet Muhammad passed by one of his companions (a follower of Prophet Muhammad) named Sa’d while he was performing wudu’, and he said, “What is this extravagance, O Sa‘d?” Sa’d said, “Can there be any extravagance in wudu’?” The Prophet said, “Do not waste water, even if you are by the side of a flowing river.”
The Quran also stresses the importance of water, stating that every living creature was created from water:
“Do the unbelievers not see that the heavens and the Earth were joined together, and We split them apart(?) And We made from water every living thing. Will they not believe(?)” [Qur’an 21:30]
 
God also told us that He created all water resources on Earth:
“Or, who made the Earth a habitat, and caused rivers to flow through it, and set mountains on it, and placed a partition between the two seas(?) Is there a god alongside Allah(?) But most of them do not know.” [Qur’an 27:61]
 
and
“Allah is He Who created the heavens and the Earth and sent down water from the sky, causing fruits to grow for your sustenance. And He committed the ships to your service, sailing through the sea by His command, and He committed the rivers to your service.” [Qur’an 14:32].
 
Trees are positioned as essential environmental elements that should be kept and preserved at all costs, even during wartime. When some of his followers had to cut down a tree to widen the road, he told them it would have been better if they had found a way around that tree. The incident was so significant that Prophet Muhammad received a revelation (verses from the Quran) to alleviate the sorrow of the followers. The Quran says,
“Whatever (palm-) trees you cut down or leave standing on their roots, it is by Allah’s will. So that He may disgrace the disobedient.” [Qur’an 55:5].
 
One of the most excellent teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is found in this Hadith: “If the Final Hour (the Day of Judgment) comes (unto you) while you are planting a shoot of a plant, and if you can continue planting it, you should do so.” The Hadith confirms that trees are to be respected and preserved at any time, even at the end of life. Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said, “There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, person, or animal eats from it, but it is regarded as a charitable gift for him. They will be rewarded for it.
In Islam, humans, trees, animals, and non-living things (such as rocks) are also considered sacred. God said in the Quran,
“Praising Him are the seven heavens and the Earth, and everyone in them. There is not a thing that does not glorify Him with praise, but you do not understand their praises. He is Patient and Forgiving.” [Qur’an 17:44]
 
This verse tells us clearly that all creatures, even those without souls (such as non-living entities), praise God and should be treated with respect and kindness.
Prophet Muhammad’s teachings include stories that emphasize the importance of treating all living beings with respect. For instance, he mentioned that a woman was condemned to hellfire for starving a cat, while a man was granted paradise for offering water to a thirsty dog.
 
Islam also teaches people the importance of respecting other living creatures. Once, Prophet Muhammad saw two followers using an animal for target practice while competing in archery. He asked them to stop immediately, informing them that this act would anger God, as they were harming a living creature. Even a tiny ant should not be harmed, as it has done no wrong. The Quran has chapters named after insects and animals, such as Chapter 16 (The Bees) and Chapter 27 (The Ants), highlighting the marvels of God’s creation.
Saving the environment and preserving the Earth’s resources are among the most essential teachings of Islam. This teaching can be summarized in the following verse from the Quran:
“Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful.” [Qur’an 7:31]
 
Which is a great summary of the subject.