text: World and the Spirit
  
  Islam and the Environment
  
  Despite the apocalyptic premise of Samuel Huntington's book, The Clash of Civilizations (which prophesies an inevitable war between the armies of the God and
  the armies of Allah), Islam and Christianity have much in common. In
  their view of the natural world, both the Bible and the Qur'an share
  many of the same stories, heroes and ethical concepts. But there are
  some differences. The Qur'an might even be said to be the "greener" of
  the two holy books.
  
  The world "Earth" (ard) appears no less than 485 times in the holy book of the Qur'an. Shari'a, the word for Islamic Law, literally means "source of water."
  
  One familiar story from the life of the Prophet recounts how,
  during a journey, one of Muhammad's companions removed a baby pigeon
  from a nest. Muhammad confronted the thief and gently returned the bird
  to its nest. "For charity shown to each creature with a wet heart,
  there is a reward," the Prophet declared.
  
  In the words of Allah, "There is not an animal in the earth, nor a
  creature flying on two wings, but they are nations like you." (6:38)
  
  Islamic cleric Mufty Imam Tajuddin H. Alhilaly, argues that all
  living things "are partners to man in existence and they deserve their
  own respect."
  
  As befits a faith born in the desert, water is honored as "the
  secret of life." Islam forbids the wastage of water "and the usage
  thereof without benefit.... The preservation of water for the drinking
  of mankind, animal life, bird life and vegetation is a form of worship
  which gains the pleasure of Allah."
  
  Imam Alhilaly infers from this passage that Islam also forbids
  "factory outpours to go to waterways or to the ocean, as this would
  pollute the water and threaten marine life.
  
  "Air is the property of Allah the Exalted," the imam states.
  "Hence, contaminating the air with smoke is an encroachment on nature
  and a threat to the life of mankind and all other living things."
  
  The Qur'an does, however, endorse the transformation of wilderness
  into agriculture and cattle pastures. The Qur'an proclaims that it is
  Allah who "sends down water from the sky, and therewith we bring forth
  buds of every kind. We bring forth the green blade from which we bring
  forth the thick-clustered grain; and from the date-palm, from the
  pollen thereof, spring pendant bunches, and gardens of grapes, and the
  olive and the pomegranate."
  
  "The earth is our first mother," says Imam Alhilaly. "Therefore
  it has certain rights over us. One of these rights is making it come
  alive with green vegetation and other plant life.
  
  "The Prophet said that he who is kind and merciful towards
  animals, Allah will be kind and merciful towards him.... We must deal
  with animals with utmost beneficence and compassion and strive to
  ensure the preservation of the different species," Imam Alhilaly
  instructs. "It is forbidden in Islam to kill a animal for mere play.
  Islam has forbidden wastage of animals and plants in peacetime and in
  wartime."
  
  Tradition has it that if someone kills a bird for amusement, the bird will demand justice from that man on judgment day.
  
  In an essay on the "Significance of Environment in Islam" in the April 1998 issue of the Islamic Voice,
  Akhtar Mahmood, a professor of biochemistry at the University of
  Punjab, notes that "Islam discourages luxurious and lavish living."
  Muslims see the existence of luxury as "an expression of social
  injustice, as few can afford luxurious items at the expense of the
  deprived masses."
  
  In an article posted on www.Islamicwell.com,
  F. Kamal notes that the two fundamental books of Muslim faith - the
  Qur'an (the Holy Book) and the Hadith (the parables and examples from
  the life of the Prophet) - both teach that kindness to animals is an
  "article of faith for Muslims." The Prophet advised people never to
  curse beasts of burden and commanded his followers to treat these
  animals with gentleness and kindness.
  
  The Muslim holy books tell of a woman who "was tortured and was
  put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of
  hunger." In another tale, a prostitute's sins are washed away because
  she gave drinking water to a thirsty dog.
  
  Kamal observes with some pride that these stories were recorded
  "1,400 years ago - long before it became fashionable or 'politically
  correct' to care about animal rights."
  
  In the centuries following Muhammad's passing, Islamic scholars introduced the idea of hima - a protected zone. Many Islamic countries now set aside certain wild
  areas that cannot be developed or cultivated. These have become modern
  wildlife reserves.
  
  "Much of the foundations of modern science are built on Muslim
  scientific roots," Kamal states. But Islamic science, Kamal noted, was
  not "a cold pursuit devoid of any ethical considerations. It was not a
  confrontation against nature but a search for Allah's signs, limitless
  bounty and mercy.
  
  "One of the most destructive causes of pollution is consumer
  waste," Kamal writes, citing the Qur'an (17:27): "Lo! the squanderers
  were ever brothers of the devils and the devil was ever an ingrate to
  his Lord." Devout Muslims, Kamal says, "do not disorder their world...
  in search of self-gratification, greed, waste and ingratitude to their
  Lord."
  
  In his article "Islam and the Environment," Arafat El Ashi, director of the Muslim World League in Canada, [191 The West Mall, Suite 1018, Etobicoke, Ontario M9C 5KB, Canada, (416) 622-2184, www.al-muslim.org]
  observes that "Human life is sacred in the sight of Islam. No one is
  permitted to take the life of another person except as life-for-life.
  Suicide is a crime in Islam."
  
  Under Islam, El Ashi states, "it [is] incumbent on every Muslim to
  contribute his/her share in improving greenery. Muslims should be
  active in growing more trees for the benefit of all people." Even
  during battle, Muslims are required to avoid cutting trees that are
  useful to people.
  
  The Prophet instructed the faithful that any Muslim who plants a
  crop that feeds another person, animal or bird, will receive a reward
  in paradise. Cutting down trees is seen as an abomination.
  
  How important is the planting of trees? In the words of the
  Prophet: "When doomsday comes, if someone has a palm shoot in his
  hands, he should plant it."
  
  The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Science (at Harvard University's Center for the Study of World Religions)
  offers information ranging from religious instruction to organic
  gardening and solar energy. [www.hds.harvard.edu/cswr]