Islam and Ecology

Abstract

Islam and Ecology illuminates the issues of environmental change andhuman survival. The authors present the Islamic view of ecology basedon the Qur'an and the hadith. Each essay contains Qur'anic passages thatsupport the view that natural phenomena are important to humanity, forthey have been created by God. The book is valuable because it is basedon scientific knowledge and Islamic principles. While the book contributesmuch to understanding Islamic teachings on the environment, it doesnot contribute much to our understanding of ecological problems.The book is flexible, and the concepts with which it deals are presentedin a manner designed for quick comprehension. Each essay makesthe reader feel ethically obliged to follow these concepts, as it is madeclear that most of our actions are based on our understanding of the willof God, how we think the world works, and what we believe our role inthe world should be. The book's purpose is not to drown the reader withfacts, but to present and explore a small number of basic and useful concepts.Another aim is to illustrate how one can constantly strive to improveone's life in the light of the Sunnah, how God's dictates can illuminateideas, and how one can organize one's life in a meaningful way.Chapter one deals with Islam and ecology, the planet Earth, air andwater pollution, deforestation, and the relationship between humanity andanimals. It is stated that Islam teaches humanity to use what is needed accordingto the moral and ethical discipline laid down by the Creator.However, after a brief initial engagement, the author does not deal withthe facts of ecology and the merits of Islamic teaching in this area.254 The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 102Chapter two is analyzes Islamic ethics and the environment. Theauthor is shott on the environment, as he concentrates mainly on ethicsaccording to the Shari'ah and humanity's love for the components ofnatmc. He then discusses how people can perfect themselves if they followthe commands of God. The chapter is mtricted to ethical values anddeals only briefly with the envitonment. For some teason, the authordeemed it unnecessary to give historical incidents or quotations that showhow Muslims thinkers analyzed nature and how important it was to themto urge the proper use of environmental and natural mumes.The environmental crisis is an outward manifestation of a crisis ofmind and spirit. There could be no greater misconception than to believeit is Concerned only with endangered wildlife, man-made ugliness, andpollution. We recognize that the Earth's moumes and environmentalpmblems, as well as the possible solutions, ate interconnected in complexways that we ate only beginning to understand. With this recognition, andthe knowledge that we must seek God's guidance, it is hoped that peoplewill begin to understand and care a little more about natute.Chapter thtee is concerned with science within Islam. The author distinguishesbetween science within Islam and the scientific system basedon human thought and the belief that the physical universe is the onlyreality. He describes the methods and uses of science and claims that itis essential that science should ptaise the Creator-scientists must pmducea unity between religious practice and scientific education. The resultingprinciples will help humanity treat the environment with love, gratitude,and care, and will show it how to make the best use of the world'stesoutces. Based on this undemtandmg, it becomes an Islamic duty toconsetve and protect the world and its tesoutces. The author does not gointo the history of Muslim science in order to illuminate the methodsused in the natural sciences to interrelate nature and produce its meaning.However, some idea of the scope of the cutrent debate on environmentalproblems is given, which provides a new approach to the environment.Chapter four examines natural resources. Although the term "resource"is not defined, it documents the main Islamic principles and preceptsconcerning natural resources. The major focus is on land (dividedinto developed and undeveloped) and water, which fottn the necessaryelements for all human life and activity. Islamic land laws and the roleof animals and plants as natural nsowes are also mentioned. In myopinion, he should have explained that "mutces" does not refer to athing or a substance, but rather to a function that may be performed bya thing or a substance or to an operation in which it may take part to satisfya particular need . It in these areas that Islamic teachings ate morerelevant as a guide to achieving humanity's well-being. The contents ofthe chapter are useful and can be easily adapted to a community's needs ...