Moderation in use of natural resources

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RELIGIOUS principles and guidelines in terms of conservation of natural resources / natural world play a pivotal role for one and
all. Islam perceives the natural world as creation of Allah that
reveals His glory and the entire individual entities and creatures
are the reflections and manifestation of supreme divine work.

As a matter of fact teachings of Islam are focused and based on
moderate concept. This means maintaining a balance in the use of
resources and not rendering their over-exploitation, but protecting
and preserving for times and people to come, over which every one
has equal right. There are natural assets, which are the right of
mankind as a whole. All biotic and abiotic components in the
surroundings make up environment which include soil, water, air,
forests, animals, birds, rivers, streams, insects, and other
physical components.


None of things is useless but are bonded with human needs in the
diversified system of the universe. Allah has created human beings
and other biotic and abiotic entities that are inter-dependent and
inter-related. Islam emphasises sharing the good that not only
benefit individual but the whole system.

As part of a balanced ecological system and the natural world, there
are several references in the Quran and Hadith providing guidelines
and knowledge about use of the natural resources rationally and
sustainably.

Numerous verses dealing with the matter of earth and its inmate are
found in the Holy Quran, explaining vitality of each subject like
earth, water, seas, birds, animals, atmosphere and insects that
reflect the entire spectrum of life on the earth called biological
diversity. These verses provide insight into beneficence of Allah
towards His creatures. In sura 13, verse 3, importance of earth,
mountains, rivers and fruits as signs for those who reflect have
been mentioned.

In sura 15, verse 19 to 21, it is mentioned: "The earth, We spread
it out and set there on mountains standing firm. We caused all kind
of things to grow therein in due balance. Therein we have provided
you and those you do not supply with means of subsistence and there
is not a thing but its stores are with Us. We do not send it down
save in appointed measures". This clearly reflects importance of
physical components of the world which are totally measures of
welfare of mankind. Similarly, the earth has been blessed as
productive and fertile entity.

The Holy Quran is replete with references and emphasis laid upon
importance of water which is an essential element of life on earth,
without which survival of living beings is never possible. In sura
50, verse 9 to 11, water as celestial bliss is mentioned benefiting
gardens, grains, tall palm trees, and reviving the land when it is
dead, which requires just use of this resource and not to desecrate
it with overuse and purposelessly which will defy Allah's
revelations. Could the water be salty, must the man drink it? Why
one should not be thankful to Allah for this matchless blessing down
on earth. Water brings cleanliness to human beings.

There are also several passages dealing with the phenomenon that
occur in the atmosphere. The Quran maintains in sura 30, verse 41,
that "corruption doth appear on land and sea because of (this evil)
which man's hands have done". This clearly stands out that human
beings while purusing their needs and wishes have tilted the
balance. Deforestation factor has largely influenced the quality of
atmosphere. It is a threat which is gaining momentum. Resultantly,
clean air which is the right of all living beings has become
contaminated and polluted, due to decrease in the area of trees or
forests which are lungs of nature. This has increased prospects of
global warming phenomenon, climate change and ozone depletion. The
use of chemicals and pesticides, industrialisation and urbanisation
has increased the scale of nature's deterioration. That's why the
Quran says in sura 55, verse 9 that "you exceed not the measure".
This is very much true that disturbance upsets a balanced system,
which will ultimately for sure result in destruction and total
collapse.

The Prophet (pbuh) had also declared protected areas around Madinah
for about 20km, where tree cutting and leaves plucking was
prohibited. The vegetable kingdom is also referred to in the Quran
as divine beneficence to make rain grow vegetable. In sura 16,
verses 10 and 11 it is referred as "(Allah) is the one Who sends
water down from the sky. For you this is a drink and out of it
(grow) shrubs in which you let (cattle) graze freely. Therewith for
you He makes sown fields, olives, palm trees, grapes and all kinds
of fruit grow." In order to maintain the balance Allah created
things in pair as reflected in sura 13, verse 3 "of all fruits
(Allah) placed (on the earth) two of a pair".

Allah has extended divine beneficence to man for his living and
fulfilment of needs. The text of the Quran in sura 16, verses 5 to
8, states that Allah created cattle for you for warmth, services,
food and for bearing loads. It is also stated that "And He createth
that which ye know not". This reflects reality that man even today
is ignorant about the worth of things and does not pay need to
protect and conserve something on sustainable basis as a profit to
one's own self.

There are references to existence of animal communities. There are
statements concerning ant, bees, spiders and birds in the Quran.
Birds are frequently mentioned in the Quran. In sura 16, verse 79 it
is mentioned "do they not look at the birds subjected in the
atmosphere of the sky. None can hold them up (in His power) except
Allah". In Hadith, cruelty to animals has been discouraged. The
Prophet (pbuh) advises for leaving the birds in their nests and
dwelling places peacefully.

There are several kings of trees and plants mentioned in the Quran
as in sura 56, verse 71-72; sura 55, verse 6; sura 34, verse 16 and
others. In the Quran it is truly and clearly stated in sura 29,
verse 40: "It was not for Allah to wrong them but they wronged
themselves." This clearly projects human activities and approaches
that strike on nature and its elements, where man himself disturbs
the Allah-gifted balanced system of nature. In several places
justice and just use has been many times emphasised, which leads to
sustainable approach. When the Noah deluge occurred Allah ordered
Noah to keep living beings in pairs in his Ark. This clearly depicts
the purpose to perpetuate biodiversity thereafter.

Conservation of natural resources, no doubt, will benefit not only
in the present times but much more good and return will be shared in
the future. As Islam maintains that any good action will not only
benefit one in this world but also in the life after death. Planting
trees, as emphasised by the Prophet (pbuh), will not only create a
sense of healthy living in general masses but will later on prove to
give a rich environment worth living. Similarly conserving and
preserving biodiversity in the light of Islamic teachings will help
to create an aware society.

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