Islam is a universal religion that is not time bound and mortal. It specifies guidance on all social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental issues. Climate change and environmental issues are contemporary problems but Islam talked about climate change and environment 1400 years ago.
Allah says in Quran
“…Truly, Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean” (Surah Al Baqarah. 2:222).
Islam talks about personal and environmental cleanliness. A clean environment helps to sustain personal cleanliness.
One evident example is the use of clean water for drinking and cleaning purposes. Clean water bodies like rivers, lakes, and seas help to maintain personal cleanliness because they are a source of household water consumption.
However, tons of garbage and hospital wastes are discharged into these water sources, polluting them and making them threatening for personal hygiene of human beings.
The law of nature is based on the balance among all powers working in the universe. Any misbalance can lead to disruption in the systematic working of nature. The change in climate is also the consequence of unsustainable life patterns adopted by human beings.
This has resulted in reducing the resilience of nature against climate change thus disrupting natural equilibrium. The Quran also explains a balance in laws of nature and hints about adopting sustainable life patterns.
“The sun and the moon are made punctual. The stars and the trees adore. And the sky He hath uplifted; and he hath set the measures. That ye exceed not the measure. But observe the measure strictly, nor fall short thereof.” (Surah Al-Rehman 27: 5)
Mankind started exploiting natural resources without any check and balance in the process of industrial revolution. The lust of developed nations drove them on the road to exhaust natural resources. This development process led to the creation of modernized transport and many new industries that generated carbon emission into the air, disrupting the balance of nature and causing global warming.
The impacts of shaking natural ecosystem resulted in the disturbance in rain patterns, crops yields and more frequent natural disasters. Islam teaches a lesson of moderation and balanced life in Quran:
“Thus, We have made you a justly balanced community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you” (Surat Al-Baqarah 2:143).
Islam also prohibits the wastage of resources and their excessive use as well.
“And Eat and Drink, But be not excessive indeed, he likes not those who commit excess.”(Al A’raf 7:31)
Water scarcity and food shortage have become major problems due to our non-sustainable patterns and excessive use of our resources. Many cities in the world are declared as water scarce cities today. One of the main reasons is wastage and excessive use of water. The unlimited use of water for shower and washing purposes and use of old techniques in irrigation is causing loss of water.
All Muslim scholars should frequently talk about the Islamic perspective on environment and climate change in public gatherings
Islam also understands the significance of trees in protecting the environment and mitigating effects of climate change thousands of years ago. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always forbade Sahabas destroying trees during battles. Prophet Muhammad PBUH laid great emphasis upon planting more trees. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in a hadith “There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.”(Bukhari).
The importance of increasing forestation cover has now been realized by the whole world to protect this planet from disasters of climate change.
Muslims comprise approximately 1.5 billion of the total population of the world. An important strategy to combat climate change and environmental issues is to use the tool of religion. Muslims must come forward to spread the message of Allah and His last messenger Prophet Muhammad PBUH on climate change and environmental issues.
This message should be taught to the common man in sermons of Jummah Prayers. Hajj is the biggest religious gathering of Muslims. The message from Imam Kaaba on this important occasion can play an important role to sensitize the Muslims on the issue of environment and climate change.
Similarly, Islamic teachings on the environment and climate change must be added in textbooks of Islamic studies at all levels. Moreover, all Muslim scholars should frequently talk about Islamic perspective on environment and climate change in public gatherings.
The governments of Muslim Countries should invite Muslim scholars of their countries to make strategies to highlight Islamic teachings regarding the environment and climate change. The Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) should also discuss and bring it on their agenda as climate change is considered a non-traditional security threat not only for Muslims but for the whole world.
The writer is based in Islamabad and works on environmental issues. She can be reached at [email protected] tweets at @zilehumma_1
Published in Daily Times, May 15th 2018.