By
Aimen Niazi and Rana Rais Khan
Allah’s (swt) universe has been created on the principle of giving. It is a huge favour to mankind we can never repay our Lord Al Khaaliq, The Creator of all that exists. We are being served round the clock upon His command, by the universe for which we are neither grateful and nor careful.
When was the last time that you requested the sun to set and rise for you? Did you remind the spring and ushered it in after a miserable winter? Or do you have a gadget that controls the winds? And the list goes on. These are just some of the things human mind can perceive. The unseen world of Allah (swt) is far greater than what is visible and known to us today. Hence Allah’s (swt) favours are infinite to all rich and poor.
Recently the world has woken up to the idea of environment protection after thoroughly abusing the planet earth. But Muslims had been communicated about their responsibility towards the environment some 1400 years ago through the Quranic teachings and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (sa) when there were no laboratories, case studies and fancy global summits.
As we lost our way and became lazy worshipers, we also forgot a very important part of our role to guard the blessings bestowed upon us. Every blessing demands that it be protected, thanked for and utilized with mindfulness as we are accountable for it before Allah (swt). Yet we tend to overlook our responsibility towards the environment, which has an impact on the generations to come. We can wake up and smell the coffee and start adhering to Islamic beliefs, traditions, and values to help efficiently resolve the current environmental problems facing the human race.
Allah (swt) has granted resources to all His creation with perfect measurement. It’s human corruption, mismanagement, and ulterior motives of global leaders and businesses that most of the damage done today we face. It can be reversed too before it’s too late but it does require purity of intention and a committed stance to deliver.
Allah (swt) has mentioned in the Quran: “And it is He Who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees (of rank) that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Al-Anam 6:165).
Hence, in the Islamic worldview, how humans treat the environment is a test of their guardianship over the planet earth. Will it be guided by Divine directives or irrational selfish desires and assumptions that could endanger the environment and impact human life?
1. Minimize wastage
Islam generally encourages minimalism and responsible use of resources, and discourages people from wasting resources. The Quran states: “O children of Adam, take your adornment (i.e. wear your clothing) at every Masjid and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.” (Al-Araaf 7:31).
In another verse, the Quran says: “And (they are) those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, (justly) moderate.”(Al-Furqan 25:67). If someone has received abundant blessings from Allah (swt), Islam suggests that neither should one live in a frugal manner nor should one be a frivolous spendthrift. Instead, be appreciative of Allah’s (swt) blessing and spend in moderation.
Reducing consumption does not mean consuming the fewest things possible; it’s about consuming the right things. It requires you to be mindful of your lifestyle choices and let go of the things that don’t serve you. If you buy or consume something, make sure that you consume it entirely and discard it appropriately. Living a minimal lifestyle can significantly reduce waste management, waste production, landfill usage, and environmental pollution.
The Prophet (sa) himself lived a simple life. His house consisted of only a few rooms joined to the mosque with hardly any furniture. His Companions describe his mattress as ‘a piece of tanned skin stuffed with palm fibres’. Asma bint Yazid reports: “The sleeves of the shirt of the Messenger of Allah reached his wrists” (Tirmidhi). Again, this shows his humility because wearing too much clothing for men was once seen as a sign of pride. He would tell his Companions: “Simplicity is a part of faith” (Abu Dawud).
2. Water conservation
Water conservation is the practice of using water wisely and ensuring responsible waste water disposal and not just drained down the gutter. Water is a blessing that is essential for life. The Quran says: “And Allah has sent down rain from the sky and given life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who believe.” (An-Nahl 16:65).
It is also indicated that water is a limited and precious resource: “Say, ‘Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken (into the earth), then who could bring you flowing water?’”(Al Mulk 67:30).
The Prophet (sa) greatly emphasized minimizing water wastage. Once, the Prophet Muhammad (sa), passed by Saad (ra), who was performing ablution. The Prophet (sa) exclaimed: “O Saad! Why are you wasting so much water?” Saad (ra) asked: “Excessive use of water in ablution is wasting of water?” The Prophet (sa) replied: “Yes it is wasting water even if you are doing it and you are on (the bank of) a flowing stream” (Ibn Majah). So whenever you make an ablution or use tap water, make sure you turn the tap off between intervals or collect the used water for other usage such as watering the plants or flushing the toilet, etc.
3. Tree plantation
The Quran and the Sunnah contain directives for Muslims to protect the environment, including refraining from chopping down trees needlessly, even though during the time of the Prophet Mohammad (sa) wood was used as fuel. Muslims are prohibited from cutting down trees, even when doing so is necessary for military strategy.
In fact, the Quran and prophetic tradition cite immense importance of tree plantation. As narrated by Anas ibn Malik (ra), the Prophet (sa) said: “If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (Sadaqah) for him” (Bukhari). Birds, animals, and passersby can benefit from its fruit or shade.
In another instance, the Prophet (sa) stated: “If the Hour (the day of Resurrection) is about to be established and one of you was holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before the Hour is established to plant it.” This indicates that tree plantation is considered one of the most cherished deeds. Trees have many ecological benefits, such as improving air quality and reducing erosion. Also, many animals depend on trees for their habitat. By planting seeds, we perform a charity that will not only be rewarded but will also significantly benefit the environment.
4. Sustainable consumption
Sustainable consumption occurs when we utilize services and goods that satisfy human needs in a way that reduces the damaging impact on the environment. Practice the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle so we consume only what we need, reuse items for the same or a different purpose, and turn trash into usable goods.
During his lifetime, the Prophet (sa) personally engaged in these sustainable practices. Numerous accounts claim that the Prophet (sa) repaired his shoes and sewed his garments.
As narrated in a Hadith, Aisha (ra) was asked what the Prophet (sa) would do in the house. She replied to the inquirer, “He did what one of you would do in his house. He mended sandals and patched garments and sewed” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad). This does not imply that we must continue to use the same items until they break, but rather that we should be aware of the items we use, purchase, sell, produce, and consume.
The affluent class has a very short usage of any product be it their personal belongings or home décor. Your affordability must not dictate you to replace items swiftly in the name of new fashion and trends. This mindset is extremely detrimental as cost of producing more is taxing upon the earth’s resources.
Excess spending is also considered wasteful. Allah (swt) said: “And He it is Who causes gardens to grow, (both) trellised and untrellised, and palm trees and crops of different (kinds of) food and olives, and pomegranates, similar and dissimilar. Eat of (each of) its fruits when it yields and give its due (Zakah) on the day of its harvest. And be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.” (Al-Anam 6: 141). Hence, as and when possible, one should limit consumption, reuse and recycle to minimize environmental impact.
5. Keep the environment pollution free
The saying of the Prophet (sa): “Cleanliness is half of faith.” should be enough to accentuate the significance of keeping oneself and one’s environment clean. Unfortunately, this essential element of our faith does not manifest itself in our society so we must seriously reflect on our individual and collective behaviors.
Keeping the environment safe and clean entails systemic waste disposal and ensuring safety measures. Abu Hurayrah (ra) narrated that the Prophet (sa) said: “While a man was walking along a path, he found a thorny branch of a tree on the way and removed it. Allah (swt) thanked him for that deed and forgave him.” (Bukhari). This Hadith underlines how crucial and rewarding it is to get rid of anything that may be detrimental to others.
This is especially true for all those believers who will be sacrificing their animals for Eid ul Adha in their neighbourhood. Timely and responsible removal of the waste and remains of the sacrificed animals are mandatory. Otherwise they become a source of sin rather than blessings no matter how expensive the animal was and where it was distributed. You did not exercise your civic sense and became a menace for others.
Allah (swt) resents all forms of corruption, especially environmental corruption, which includes resource mismanagement, industrial pollution, and environmental devastation. “…And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land, indeed Allah does not like corruptors.” (Al-Qasas 28:77).
Pledge to one initiative at least, to save the environment. It may be that one good deed that lands you in Jannah, Bi izn Allah!
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