The United Nations, aware that the protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue, which affects the well-being of peoples and economic development throughout the world, designated 5 June as World Environment Day. The celebration of this day provides us with an opportunity to broaden the basis for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises and communities in preserving and enhancing the environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in more than 100 countries (Inyang-Abia, 2019).
World Environment Day is the biggest annual event for positive environmental action and was started to address the huge environmental issues like wastage and losses of food, deforestation, increasing global warming and so many (Farooq, Meraj, Yousuf, & Singh, 2018).
Islam provides a holistic approach to existence; it does not differentiate between the sacred and the secular and neither does it place a distinction between the world of mankind and the world of nature. Islam has tackled all environmental issues in a comprehensive manner, without going into the finest details. Whether its Quran and Sunnah we can see the clear injunctions to save environment and enhance its stability (Khalid & Timmerman, 2019).
Environmental pollution is defined as "the contamination of the physical and biological components of the earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected." (Muralikrishna & Manickam, 2017).
Environment Protection in Quran
The Quran covers the content.
Water Preservation
Water is a huge life-providing theme in the Qur'an. God talks about how He creates life through water then sustains it by streams, the rains, rivers and oceans that are homes for so many creatures.
"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 listen."
Treating Animals with Dignity
"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."
Eating Wholesome
"Eat and drink from the provision of Allah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."
Conservation
"But waste not by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters"
Wastefulness is a major contributing factor to our present woes, hence the sudden awareness of the benefits of reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. But this reminds us of some Quranic cautions.
Environment protection in Hadith
The Prophet recognized that natural resources should not be overexploited or abused. In order to protect land, forests and wildlife, the Prophet created inviolable zones, known as Haram and Hima, in which resources were to be left untouched. Haram areas were drawn up around wells and water sources to protect the groundwater from over pumping. Hima applied to wildlife and forestry and designated an area of land where grazing and woodcutting was restricted, or where certain animal species (such as camels) were protected.
Hadiths or the traditions of Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم also deal extensively with various aspects of environment including resource conservation, land reclamation and environmental hygiene. Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم discouraged overconsumption, luxury and lavishness and encouraged moderation in all walks of life.
Some of the sayings of Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم on environmental sustainability are:
Planting trees is a renewable source of hasanatt
The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم clearly forbade destruction of trees and crops even during war times as long as their existence remains advantageous to the enemy. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم gave high degree of importance towards sustainable cultivation of land, waste minimization, humane treatment of animals, preservation of natural resources and protection of wildlife.
Anas also reported that the Prophet said,
"If a Muslim plant 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."
Conserve resources even when used for rituals:
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-`Aas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet passed one day by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqas (May Allah be pleased with him) while he was performing wudu' (ritual cleaning of body parts in preparation for prayer). The prophet asked Sa`d, "Why is this wastage?" Sa`d replied "Is there wastage in wudu also?" The Prophet said, "Yes, even if you are at a flowing river."
Animals should be cared for:
Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said, "A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of act which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth."
Keeping environment clean is important:
Abu Zarr Al-Ghafari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Removing harmful things from the road is an act of charity (sadaqah)."
Hadiths or the traditions of Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم also deal extensively with various aspects of environment including resource conservation, land reclamation and environmental hygiene. Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم discouraged overconsumption, luxury and lavishness and encouraged moderation in all walks of life.
Let's realize on this World Environment Day 2019 that,
"Without a healthy environment we cannot end poverty or build prosperity. We all have a role to play in protecting our only home: we can use less plastics, drive less, waste less food and teach each other to care."
References
Farooq, M., Meraj, G., Yousuf, A., & Singh, G. (2018). World Environment Day 2018 Special. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12374.29765
Inyang-Abia, M. (2019). REPORT OF 2017 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATION.
Khalid, F., & Timmerman, P. (2019). Islam and the Environment.
Muralikrishna, I. V., & Manickam, V. (2017). Chapter One - Introduction. In I. V. Muralikrishna & V. Manickam (Eds.), Environmental Management (pp. 1-4). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811989-1.00001-4