Reflection of Islamic Norms Expedient to Protect Environment
Reflection of Islamic Norms Expedient to Protect Environment
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| A Righteous man cares plants |
Introduction
The first dictation of Allah to the prophet is “Read, in the name of your lord”.2 From this divine verse, it is crystal clear to us that the periphery of Islam is not limited to religious extends only. Rather it is a complete code of life which embraces with science, arts, politics, economics, society and all other elementary aspects of human being.3 In this paper, the author takes an initiative to establish an interconnection between Islamic norms (Quran, Hadith and other source of Islamic laws) and their contribution to protect environment.
Contemporary Environmental Philosophy: Islamic Norms, Whether Complies With?
The first question encountered by Islam is that as it supports anthropocentric view4 how it is possible to protect environment by observing the Islamic norms.5 However, while supporting this notion, Islam at the same time puts a sluice gate and safeguard provisions to conserve them. It provides direction to eat and drink, but not to waste6, in contravenes he (spendthrift) is brother of Saitan.
In environmental regime, Gaia Hypothesis of James Lovelock7 is considered a dominant dogma for the preservation of environment. Amazingly this dogma belonged, almost 14 hundred years ago, to Prophet. Almighty describes in the Quran that He produced therein all kinds of things in due balance8, in proportion and measure.9
1Pudyanto, Robertus, World's Muslim Population Will Surpass Christians This Century, 2015 http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo- way/2015/04/02/397042004/muslim-population-will-surpass-christians-this-century-pew-says (accessed 1 October, 2010) 2 Suara Allah, Verse No. 1 3Barnard Bryn , The Genius of Islam: How Muslims Made the Modern World, New York, 2011 available from https://www.amazon.com/Genius-Islam-Muslims-Modern-World/dp/0375840729, (accessed 1 November, 2010) 4The Gale Encyclopedia of Science, Anthropocentrism, 2008, http://www.encyclopedia.com/history/modern-europe/czech-and-slovak-history/anthropocentrism (accessed 1 November, 2017) 5 Surah Israh, Verse No. 70) 6 Surah A'raaf, Verse No. 31. 7 Gaia hypothesis, 2009 https://courses.seas.harvard.edu/climate/eli/Courses/EPS281r/Sources/Gaia/Gaia-hypothesis-wikipedia.pdf (accessed 1 November, 2017) 8 Surah Al Hijr, Verse No. 19 9 Surah Al Qamar, Verse No. 49
In 21th century, global warming and climate change have become a buzzword. However, no particular sate takes their responsibility in this regard. Rather they want to escape their contribution to global warming thus the compensation to the victim countries also.10 However, Quranic dictation is that hazard has appeared on land and sea because of the deed of men. Further it declares that Allah may test the result of their deeds unless they come back.11 In United States of America, 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle) is widely used principle for waste management and environment protection.12 This principle was also recognized in Islamic norms as it has been narrated that prophet used to repair his shoes, sow his clothes in his house.13
Islamic Norms to Protect Environment
In parlance of Islamic norms, environment has not been defined anywhere. However, the characteristics of an exemplary environment has been reflected. From this perspective, environment may be defined to mean as a substance which is created for living of animals14, where Allah sends down rain from the skies and produces crops, fruits15, buds of every of kind, clustered grain, gardens of grapes, olive and the pomegranate by it.16 There are also air17, soil18, and water two of kinds i.e. sweet and palatable, salty and bitter19. Further it includes creation of mountains as pegs, stars for detecting right way20 the sun and moon which follow exact courses.21 Allah belongs the dominion of all the things between heavens and earth.22 There remains a measure in all of them. 23 The Muslim are only manager of the earth and not proprietor.24
Pollution of Air and Islamic Norms: Air is a viable element of environment. But it is contaminated for our negligence. Prophet advised not to enter any area where disease outbreak strikes and if he in that area not to fly from that area. Because the germ of disease spreads by air.25
10 Paris climate deal: Trump pulls US out of 2015 accord, BBC World, 1 June 2017,http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40127326 (accessed 1 November 2017). 11 Suarh Rume, Verse No. 41 12 Section 11 of National Environmental Policy Act,1969 13 Narrated by A’ishah (one of the most tradition narrating wives of Prophet), Authenticated by Al-Albani 14 Surah Ar-Rahman Verse No.10 15 Surah Bakharah Verse No. 22 16 Surah AnAm Verse No.99 17 Surah Azzariat Verse No. 1 18 Surah Assafft Verse No. 1 19 Surah Ar Rahman verse No. 19-20 20 Surah AnNahal verse No. 97 21 Surah Ar Rahman verse No. 5 22 Surah Maidah verse No. 18 23 Surah Al Qamar verse No.49 24 Oliver, Rachel All About: Religion and the environment, CNN 28 January, 2008, http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/27/eco.about.religion/ (accessed 27 October, 2017). 25 Narrated by Bukharyy
Pollution of Water and Islamic Norms: Allah created all living things from water.26 Significantly, People are not cautious about wasting water. A companion of prophet while performing wudu by a lot of water. The Prophet stated, the water may be wasted in the bank of river also.27 Further, he forbade to contaminate water by urinating in standing water.28
Preserving land and Islamic Norms: To keep the soil clean Qur’anic order is no to cause mischief in the land, in contravenes Allah does not love them.29 Moreover, Islam encourages to protect and take care of natural surrounding as stated by Prophet that Allah is holy so He loves holiness.30 Animal and Islamic Norms: Different type of animals enhance the beauty of the world. In Islam, serving animals is also regarded as Ibadad. Prophet stated that Allah shows sympathy themselves who shows sympathy to the creatures.31 It forbid to kill sparrow without any just cause i.e. not to chop off its head and not to throw away.32 In another tradition, Prophet forbade his companions to kill pigeon unnecessarily.33 Islam also ensures Hell because of death of a cat caused by a woman who tied it and kept it without providing any food. However, it ensures paradise of a prostitute who offered water to a thirsty dog.34
Plants and Islamic Norms: Islam encourages the Muslim to plant tree even in hour of the day of resurrection.35 It states that if any one plants trees and any people, animal and birds eat it, then it will be a charitable gift for him.36 Further, Prophet forbade his companions to destroy fruitful standing tree during war. Allah also dictates not to destroy crops and cattle.37 Nosie Pollution and Islamic Norms People suffer from various types of diseases for noise pollution. It is advised not to make our speech so harsh like an ass.38 Allah dictates not to speak prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but to seek a middle course between them.39 He also forbids to raise voices above the voice of the
26 Surat Al Ambia, Verse No. 30 27 Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No.425 28 Narrated by Muslim 29 Surat Al-Qasas, Verse No. 77 30 Narrated by Tirmidhi. 31 Muslim 32 An–Nasa’i 33 Sulaiman Bin Ahmad Ar Tabrani, Al Mu’hzamul Kabir Vol.20 Page 386 Ha.905 34 Bukhari 35 Authenticated by Al-Albani 36 Bukhari 37 Surah Bakarah, Verse No.205 38 Surah Luqman, Verse No.19 39 Surat Al-IsraaVerse No.110
Prophet, to speak aloud to him.40 Another wise man referred in the Quran, advised his son to be moderate in his pace, and lower his voice.41
Islamic Encouragement of Clean Environment In Islam, to be kept clean is a part of iman42 (faith in Allah), one of the fundamental base of Islam. It states that Allah loves the purity/cleanness.43 It further declares that no one will not enter Paradise except those who are clean.44
Recognition in International Covenant and Convention
The custom of local communities and indigenous people has been recognized in Rio Declaration, 1992 for their knowledge and traditional practices.45 UNESCO also called for safeguarding knowledge and skills recognized by communities, groups.46Top Islamic leaders were also invited to discuss how their faith can ensure safe environment.47
Statues and Case Laws Reflecting Islamic Norms
The Islamic norms has been recognized in the domestic laws of Bangladesh i.e. in the Constitution of People’s Republic of Bangladesh48, Code of Civil Procedure, 190849 Code of Criminal Procedure, 189850, Penal Code, 186051 And Evidence Act, 187252. It is submitted that the environment would be more hygienic and habitable if the environmental Islamic norms is reflected in the domestic laws directly or indirectly. In Re, Smt. Amina vs Unknown53 the custom or usage of Muslim having force of law has been recognized. However, they must not be inconsistent with fundamental rights as provided in the constitution.
Conclusion:
If the Muslim observe these divine orders and authentic traditions of Prophet, they will be able to contribute to protect environment significantly and will be able to uphold glorious of Islam.
40 Surat Al-Hujurat, Verse No. 2-3 41 Surat Luqman, Verse No.19 42 Authority of Abu Hurairah 43 Narrated by Tirmidhi 44 Narrated by Baihaqi 45 Principle- 22 46 Chhibber, Bharti, The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003, 8 June 2008, https://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article746.html (accessed 8 June 2008). 47 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/environment/isstewardshiprev2.shtml 48 Art. 2A,18,41 49 Section 89A, 89B, 132 50 Section 48,52, 98, 353 51Section 96,159,161,191,278,377 52Section 101, 115, 112 53 AIR 1992 Bom 214
