Abuse Nature and Face the Consequences: Climate Change from an Islamic Perspective

Abstract

Nature and the environment can be considered from a variety of perspectives. In the pre-Islamic period, for instance, nature was held so sacred that it was worshipped. Today, nature appears to be exclusively subjected to man’s benefits through modern technological and scientific discoveries. The disturbance of the natural environment has resulted in various natural disasters. Some scholars consider those catastrophic effects ‘man-made’ while others believe they are ‘natural’. Whatever the case may be, man’s excessive penetration into nature has also greatly resulted in climate change. This article shall delve into discusses the various means through which man exploits nature and the extent of the reaction of nature to the exploitation. Adopting a textual analytical approach, the author concludes that as long as human technological muscles are exerted on nature, man must be ready to face its ‘wrath’ and that anything which in its own way ‘worships’ God should not be unjustifiably exploited. Man should be conscious of his excessive materialistic urges.