Quite naturally, the Quran and Sunnah has directed us towards being eco-conscious, enjoining good practices and adopting better habits with regard to the environment. All of creation was fashioned in the service of mankind. Subsequently, mankind was made the custodians and the protectors of the earth. With this responsibility, as any other, we are accountable for the welfare of all creations. Unfortunately, the common trend of destruction to the environment, the plants, the animals and the planet at large is utter disregard to the sovereign role appointed by Allah Ta’ala.
“It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth….” [2:29] “(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to create a deputy on the earth!” They said, “Will You create there one who will spread disorder on the earth and cause bloodshed” [2:30]
Just as we are responsible for our families and subordinates, so to, the environment around us also falls under that reign of responsibility. This earth ‘our home’ which we reside in, requires protection, in order for there to be sustained growth of life, failure to do this will negatively affect the many generations to come.
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. [6:165]
In Maariful Quran, Mufti Shafi Usmani writes concerning this [And it is He who made you vice-regents of the earth and raised some of you in ranks over some others]. Here, the word: خَلَائِفَ (khala’if) is the plural form of khalifah which means vicegerent or deputy. The essence of the verse is:
It is Allah Ta`ala who has let you inhabit places occupied by people before you. There is no home, no land which you call your private property today, and believe to be so, which was not, only yesterday, under the ownership of other human beings like you. Allah Ta`ala has, by removing them, made you sit in their place.
In all situations, the natural consequences in this life may be a reward or punishment from Allah. All good is from Allah, and all evil and mischief is allowed by Allah to show the results of the misuse of the free will. If humans disobey Allah’s law, He only lets them witness a small portion of these negative consequences, and He is patient before punishing them more severely, to give people a chance to turn back to, and obey Him.
“Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon).” [30:41]
Animals are under our protection
Within the Seerah (history of the Messenger of Allah peace and blessing be upon him) and his teachings, there are clear directives in showing kindness and welfare to animals and vegetation.
Abdullah ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah,(ﷺ) said, “If someone kills so much as a sparrow or anything larger without a just cause, then Allah the Exalted will ask him about it on the Day of Resurrection.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is a just cause?” The Prophet said, “A just cause is that you slaughter it for food, but you should not cut off its head and throw it aside.” (Sunan An-Nasa’i)
This culture of responsibility, care and concern for animals was taught to the Sahabah. This is evident in the statement of Umar ibn al –Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him):
Dawud ibn Ali reported: Umar ibn Al-Khattab, (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “If a lost sheep under my care were to die on the banks of the Euphrates, I would expect Allah the Exalted to question me about it on the Day of Resurrection.” Hilyat al-Awliya 137
Bounties of Allah
Allah has referred to the many nations of the past, example the Bani Israeel, highlighting the extent of their ungratefulness to the great bounties of Allah. Quite frightfully, our Ummah has been given much more wealth, luxuries, food, etc. and we are also ungrateful for these favours. Nothing in nature has been created in vain (ma khalaqta hadha baatilan), or in jest (la‘ibin), but everything in truth (bil-haqq) and in perfection (ahsana/atqana kulla shay’).
If that is the reality of nature, then why do we find so many destructive behaviours and mindless actions within our culture? We have people littering, filling up the landfills, using single use plastics without recycling them, etc. further destroying the planet day by day. Aren’t we supposed to imitate the Divine attributes of Allah Ta’ala as mentioned in Hadith (natakhallaqu bi khuluqillah) and adorn the qualities of Allah (that we are able to)?
Wastage of food, Islamic rulings
One of the most direct, blame-worthy actions that one can do, is waste good, pure, cooked food without any concern or regard for the many starving people who are desperately in need of the same food.
Allah says: “O children of Adam! Attend to your embellishments at every time of prayer. And eat and drink and be not extravagant. surely He does not love the extravagant.” [7:31]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger(ﷺ) said, “When one of you eats, he must lick his fingers (after finishing), for he does not know in which of them lies blessing.” (Sahih al Muslim, Jami Tirmidhi)
Sayyidina Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “When one of you eats his meal and a morsel falls down, he must pick it up and remove the doubtful portion and eat the rest. He must not leave it for the devil.” (Jami Tirmidhi)
Wasting Water
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr that:
The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) passed by Sa’d (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was performing ablution, and he said: “What is this extravagance?” He said: “Can there be any extravagance in ablution?” He said: “Yes, even if you are on the bank of a flowing river.”
Wasting Wealth
Sha’bi reported that the scribe of al-Mughira b. Shu’ba said:
Mu’awiya wrote to Mughira: Write for me something which you heard from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ); and he wrote: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “Verily Allah disapproves three things for you: Irrelevant talk, wasting of wealth and persistent questioning.” (Muslim)
Planting Trees and paper
Narrated `Asim: I said to Anas, “Did Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) make Madinah a sanctuary?” He replied, “Yes, Madinah is a sanctuary from such-and-such place to such-and-such place. It is forbidden to cut its trees, and whoever innovates a heresy in it or commits a sin therein, will incur the curse of Allah, the angels, and all the people.” Then Musa bin Anas told me that Anas added, “…..or gives refuge to such a heretic or a sinner…”
Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If the Final Hour comes while you have a palm-cutting in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it.” (Adabul Mufrad)
Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “Never does a Muslim plant trees or cultivate land and birds or a man or a beast eat out of them, but that is a charity on his behalf.” (Muslim)
When responsibility is given by Allah in any realm of life, it has the potential of bringing a lot of reward once it is carried out justly. Or this same responsibility, can bring questioning and punishment if we are negligent with it.
We can make a difference by changing basic practices in our daily life and making an effort to start today. Progress is not achieved by waiting for someone else to make a change. Change starts with us!
Below are some resources that can benefit you:
1) Video clips that can be sent to you through email. You can download them and share on social media. We hope that you can help us spread the message far and wide.
2) Posters which contain information on the importance of wastage and recycling, which can be printed and used.
Please leave us a comment below, and may Allah unite us all in goodness and in Jannah…Ameen.
Your brother in Islam, Abraar Alli
Change starts with you!
