| Moderation in use of natural resources |
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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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