The prophet muhammad and the environment

The prophet muhammad and the surroundAs inhabitants of this world, human beings argon constantly interacting with our environs and the effect is that the environ handst is changing. immediately it seems beyond neither the human control nor even the footf wholly ment of modern technologies. The environmental protection agencies, enormous institutions, organizations and ecologists all told allplace the world ar do their maximum attempt to preserve the environment exclusively unfortunately the environment degenerates day by day to a horrible state. The whole world is chthonian the threat of Global Warming and Oz unmatchable Depletion.What Ca personas Global Warming And Oz bingle Depletion?Scientists have determined that a number of human activities argon contri mere duplicity to global melt by adding excessive amount of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases like one C dioxide accumulate in the atmosphere and trap heats which may gradually exit in to outsid e space. Scientists tell that Deforestation is the very significant source of greenhouse gases be slip when the trees atomic number 18 fewer in number, on that point is little carbon dioxide con adaptation to the oxygen. Human use of fossil fuels is in like manner the source of excess greenhouse gases.When the greenhouse gases grow, much heat will be trapped in the atmosphere and bum less back to the space. Because of these, the climate changes and the weather structure alters which definitely hastens species extinction and ad versely affects the length of seasons worldwide. It will cause the coastal flooding and lead to more support and severe storms to a fault.According to the current statistics, since 1970 more than 30 per cent of natural species have been destroyed. Consumption of natural resources and carbon dioxide emissions have both doubled oer the last 40 years and continue to grow at an incrementd rate. Most of the countries have projected to lose more than 10 per cent of their forests over the next few years. Toxic chemicals which ar mostly the emissions from the industrial sectors are widespread in the environment and nearly 10 per cent disease is caused by environmental pollution. The natural calamities like flood, earthquake, tsunami, and storm have increased unparalleled in history. Most of the world regions are counted to be the earthquake or new(prenominal)wise calamities pr peerless areas. Epidemic diseases like AIDS, SARS, Bird flue dominate one by the other over the public health. Even though the hospitals, health check institutions and medical colleges numerically increase they all become mute spectator to the steady deterioration of public health. The death caused by this kind of disastrous epidemic diseases increase in a horrible situation.A build-up of man-made chemicals in the atmosphere causes ozone depletion. The main chemical is CFCs (Chlorofluro carbon) that are used in refrigerants and aerosol spray propellants. CFCs are easy to store, chemically stable and non- flammable hence they float in the atmosphere. They rise for about 8 years until they reach the ozone layer and they will be broken at there by large amount of ultraviolet illumination radiation. CFCs contain one Fluorine atom, one Carbon and three Chlorine atoms. When ultraviolet radiation and CFCs work chemically the Chlorine atom is free and it can continue to destroy 100,000 of ozone molecules. If the atmosphere is cold the effect will be too worse. Scientists could find out that it has been very cold in the stratosphere in the last few years. Modern occupationcrafts transportation and supersonic airplanes also contri scarcelye to ozone depletion by lay some toxic chemicals in to the atmosphere. A nonher man-made chemical, which also causes ozone depletion, is methyl bromide. It has been used in m either different pesticide applications since 1932. It is regarded to be 50 times more destructive to the ozone layer than CFCs.Many A M ischief Done By MenThe sanctum rule book undoubtedly points out-Mischief has appeared on area and sea because of that the hands of men earned (30 41)Here the Holy Quran warns men that if they trespass on and overexploit vote out and water the overall outcome would be too unfavourable.Imam Fakru Rrazi narrates this quranic verse as-The epidemic infections, draughts, flood etc are meant by the usage of Holy Quran Fasad i.e. mischief has appeared on land and sea (Thafseerul Kubra)So the increasing natural calamities must be the requital and outcome of mens activities of misusing the natural resources.The creation of Almighty GOD tout ensembleah is perfect. Allah says You can see no fault in the creations of the most beneficent. Then look again. Can you see any rifts (67 3)So the Holy Quran asserts that whatever the change the nature turns to is non its own, but the results of mens activities. visionaryic Jurisprudence Of Environmental ProtectionThe Almighty GOD Allah has created every thing in this universe in due proportion. No one can find out any faults in Allahs creation. All the creatures from the tiny microbes to large living living organisms and all the materials from tiny particles of molecules to the largest galaxies are in due measure both quantitatively and qualitatively. The whole universe is open to men to use for his benefits but non to misuse or trespass natural rules. This Islamic basal concept toward the environment is revealed by this Quranic verse-Have you not seen that divinity is glorified by all in the heavens and on the earth such as the birds with wings outspread? Each knows its worship and glorification, and theology is aware of what they do. (An-Noor 24 41)The Holy Quran says There is not an animal(prenominal) in the earth, or a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are communities like you We have neglected nothing in the restrain Then unto their passkey they will be gathered (Al- An-aam- 6 38)This Quranic verse describes that Allah did not miss any thing that is important for a meaningful existence. All the living organisms in the environment, they are also communities like human beings having the business of life in this earth. So, the basic and first concept ofProphetic Teaching towards environment is that all the living and non-living things in the earth are created by GOD in due proportion and divine object. All other living beings are as communities as human beings, so they also have the right to live in this environment.Secondly, Islam gives men the right to use the natural recourses for his use.The Holy Quran says He Who has spread out the earth for you and threaded roads for you therein and has sent down water from the sky With it have We brought forth diverse kinds of vegetation. extinguish and pasture your cattle verily, in this are signs for men endued with understanding. (Surathu Twaha- 20 53)According to this verse the environment including of all its living and non living creatues are created by God for mens benefits only.Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught that earth is subservient to man, but it should not be misused, overexploited or abused. This is the third concept of Prophetic teachings towards environment. This concept basically forms environmental protection or solution to the environmental problems.Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saysThe earth has been created for me as a mosque and a means of purification (Swaheehul Bukhari- 1 331)Land and water that are created by God in due proportion for the benefits of men must be regarded to be sacred. Prophet Muhammad (s) emphasizes that earth is not only a pure entity but purging agent also. By informing men that the earth is sacred land, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) teaches men to keep the land always clean and tidy.Environmental Cleaning wiz of the reasons for global heating system is that the environment is being treated as dump for ache disposal. And as a result pollution is increased everywhere. Land, wate r and air have been polluted with toxic or non toxic hazardous waste from the towns, buildings, factories and houses. The land, air, rivers and seas provide dumping grounds for the waste, which can be environmentally too harmful. The environment is able to absorb some types waste up to certain levels of emissions. Beyond that level environmental pollution is likely to accelerate. As wastes grow, so environmental adulteration is also most likely to grow at a faster rate. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH0 had put forward a preventive measure for the environmental protection, that is carry out cleanliness of nature.Allah says in Holy QuranVerily, Allah loves those who turn to him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. ( 2 222). Islam pass ons purification a responsibility of men.Prophet Muhammad (PBUH0 has taughtPurification is fractional part of Islamic belief (Swaheehu Muslim H.No 432)Prophet Muhammad(s) mentioned purification in general, which includes the purif ication of body internally and externally and his environment also. All kinds of purification are the responsibilities of true believers. According to this Hadeeth, Islamic belief (Eeman) of a person can not be regarded to be perfect without due cleanliness in his body and purlieu too. Purifying human bodies by ablution or ritual bathing benefit him to prevent many infections that are caused by virus or bacteria. Purifying the nature prevents environmental pollution.Responsibility Of EnvironmentWho has the responsibility of the environment? Is the God responsible for it? Or the environment itself is responsible? Or those who have the right to use all natural resources for their use are responsible? Definitely, according to Islamic concept, those who are living and use the nature are responsible for nature.Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taughtEvery one of you is guardian and will be asked about his subject (Swaheehu Muslim)Prophet Muhammad (s) was very strict that men should handle eve ry thing on this earth with limited care. If man is much aware of his responsibility of environment, he cannot disfigure and spoil the resources available in the nature.The Prophet was becoming increasingly sensitive when he was travel with his Swahaba and he was telling Do not encroach on the trucks on the habitats of these wild beasts and animals, you are to share the earth with themOverexploiting Natural ResourcesAnother reason for the global warming and all other environmental problems is that men overexploit the natural resources. Allah the Almighty has taught in Holy Quran obviously that the earth and resources are for the benefits of men, but it should not be overexploited. The land provides us food, mines, quarries and oil come up provide us with fuels and raw materials, forests provide us wood, and seas provide us with fish. Allah has given the right to extract raw materials for production process and to cultivate crops, vegetables and fruits for mens use, but the same t ime He has prevented men to use these resources by extravagance. This Islamic rule also forms as a preventive measure for the environmental problems.The Almighty Allah saysAnd it is He Who produces gardens trellised and untrellised, and datepalms, and crops of different shape and taste (its fruits and its seeds) and olives, and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in taste). Eat of their fruit when they ripen, but pay the due thereof on the day of its harvest, and waste not by extravagance. Verily, He likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance). (Al-Anaam -641)Allah says in another verse in the similar meaningO Children of Adam Take your adornment firearm praying and going round the Kabah, and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) does not like Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance). (Al-Araf- 731)These Quranic verses clearly encourages men to use several fruits, crops and other natural resources and prohibits men to waste there of.Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has told that Allah hates extravagance.Narrated Ash-shabi Al mugheera wrote I heard the Prophet motto Allah has hated three things 1- vain talks that you talk too much or about others. 2 Wasting of wealth by extravagance, 3- and asking too many questions (Muslim H no 591)Conservation of waterWater is a impart from God and source of all life in earth. Conservation of this vital element is very important to the preservation and existence of life in its various(a) forms.The Holy Quran points outAnd We have made from water every living thing. (2130)Consider the water which you drink, Was it you that brought it down from the rain cloud or We? If We had pleased, we could make it bitter (56 68- 70)And we caused rain to descend on you from heaven to cleanse you therewithAllah reminds men the value of water through these verses. Allah has made the use of water a common right of all creatures. So all living and non living creatures are entitled to use and share it without monopoly, wastage, extravagance and despoilment.Prophet Muhammad (s) lived in the recant environment where water was very synonymous to life. Though the two third of the globe is filled with water many regions, countries and communities all over the world are detriment from the lack of water. The water levels in rivers go down so as a result the water level in the nearby wells goes down and people face the difficulty to get the water both for their life and multinational purposes.Narrated Jabir (R) Prophet Muhammad (s) has prohibited passing urine in standing(prenominal) water (Swaheehu Muslim, Riyalu Sswalheen H.No 1772)Prophet Muhammad (S) strictly prohibits taking more water than necessary. Making ablution by washing more than three times is considered as Karaha i.e. discouraged by Islam. Even if you are making ablution from a large water reservoir, or from a flowing spring or near to river you must not get by water to wash a particular part of body more tha n three times. Prophet Muhammad (s) perceives it as extravagance. Any human activity that impairs the structural and biological smooth functioning of water, whether by misusing or lavishing or polluting it with urine or any other dirty substances is really against the Prophetic law of preserving environment. The root cause of environmental problems is the reckless behavior of men by polluting the nature that would definitely make it unsuitable for his use. So man is baited against man. The Prophetic teachings not to pass urine in stagnant water and to lavish drops of water even for making ablution ultimately form a splendid methodology to preserve the water that all other ecologists, scientists, and environmental protection agencies have been seeking for a methodology theoretically sufficient and pragmatically effective to preserve the environment.Treatment of AnimalsProphet Muhammad (PBUH) believed that animals, as indispensable part of the environment, should be treated with digni ty and complaisance that they merit. He had considered camels and horses courageous companions during his journeys and battles. So prophetic teaching basically has enjoined up on men right environmental relation ship with animals. It is not allowed in Islam to kill animals except for food, but in some slipperinesss only some animals can be killed when they endanger the human life.Islam allows hunting but it must be for the necessity. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) could not put up with unnecessary hunting of any animals.Ibnu Masood said We were traveling with Prophet Muhammad (s), when he left us for while we could see a bird with its two chicks and we too the chicks. Then the beget bird started spreading its wings. When Prophet(S) came and truism this, he said who caused her to take away her two children, return her two children to her (Bukhari Muslim)Prophet Muhammad(s), more than any other ecologist, has realized the feelings of relation amidst mother and children birds that is why he reacted when he saw the feelings of mother bird.Narrated Hisham bin Zaid Anas and I went to Al-Hakam bin Aiyub. Anas saw some boys shooting at a tied hen. Anas said, The Prophet has forbidden the shooting of tied or confined animals. (Swaheehul Bukhari- Book 67, hadith 421)Another HadeethNarrated Ibn Umar that he entered upon Yahya bin Said while one of Yahyas sons was aiming at a hen after tying it. Ibn Umar walked to it and untied it. past he brought it and the boy and said. Prevent your boys from tying the birds for the sake of killing them, as I have heard the Prophet forbidding the killing of an animal or other living thing after tying them. (Swaheehul Bukhari- Book 67, Hadith 422)Prophet Muhammad (s) has prohibited killing some animalsNarrated Abdulla Bin Abbas The Prophet Muhammad (s) prohibited to kill four creatures ants, bees, hoopoes, and sparrow hawks. (Sunan Aboo Davud- H. No 5247)Prophet Muhammad (s) teaches that there would be a reward for from Allah for servi ng any animals.Narrated Abu Huraira Allahs Apostle said, While a man was walking on a road. he became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. the man said to himself This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did. So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for that movement and forgave him. the people asked, O Allahs Apostle Is there a reward for us in serving the animals? He said, (Yes) there is a reward for serving any remediate (living being). (Swaheehul Bukhari book73, Hadith 38)This Hadeeth gives us unique lesson. He understands the thirst of dog and tells that it also has the same set of thirst I had. The way that he has poured the water in to dogs mouth is certainly a unique one that we can not see same sort of way to deal with any animals any where in the history nor in the modern practices of preserving nature.Narrated by AhmadIf you kill a sparrow senselessly, it will hasten to God on the Day of Judgment, and it will say Oh Lord so and so killed me for play not for use (Mishakathul Masabeeh)These Prophetic words reflect the reverence, respect and great love to the animals.According to Prophetic teachings, killing an animal without giving food, drinks, or even by disturbing it will cause a man to go to Hellfire.Narrated Ibnu Umar Prophet Muhammad (s) said- A woman she tied a cat has gone to Hellfire she neither fed it nor allowed it to find food of its own. (Bukhari Muslim, Riyalussaliheen- H.No 1600)Through these Hadeeths, Prophet Muhammad (s) prohibited killing or disturbing any animals. He rears men to be kind towards all living beings in the earth.Allah, the great and omnipotent, will do his mercy to those who do their mercy (towards the living beings in the earth). So do mercy to every living being in the ear th, then Allah and his angels will do the mercy towards you (Bukhari Muslim)This is a broad concept of treating the animals. any(prenominal) men can do to treat and protect animals, that are considered to be mercy and Allah will give his rewards for that.Not only physical harm to animals but smearing or cursing animals is also prohibited by Prophet Muhammad (s).Imran bin. Husain reported We were with Allahs Messenger (may peace be upon him) in some of his journeys and there was a woman from the Ansar riding a she-camel that it shied and she invoked curse upon that. Allahs Messenger (May peace be upon him) heard it and said unload that and set it free for it is accursed. Imran said I still perceive that (dromedary) walking amongst people and none taking any notice of that. (Swaheehu Muslim Hadith.No 6276). This prophetic concept not to curse or insult an animal is almost very humane perspective. According to Quranic lesson a human must not curse another human, this is because the di gnity and respect of the men are highly considered. Similarly, the indispensable role of animals in this environment is something great and they too perform their functions in the nature. As they do their role in here, they also deserve their dignity. So any animal must not be cursed.In Islam, to slaughter an animal Muslims have to use sharp knife in order to save the animal the pain associated with the use of an object. Prophet Muhammad (s) used to tell his companionsShaddid bin. Aus said Two are the things which I remember Allahs Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said Verily Allah has enjoined goodness to everything so when you kill, kill in a good way and when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way. So every one of you should sharpen his knife, and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably. (Swaheehu Muslim, Hadith 4810).Prophet Muhammad (S) teaches Muslims to consider the psyche of an animal to be slaughtered. The hadeeth usage And let the slaughtered animal die comforta bly is almost a very natural perspective toward the pain and sufferings of an animal. Prophet Muhammad (s0 has constituten great sensitivity and gentleness. Throughout his life, many hadeeths and incidents obviously show that He was extremely sensitive toward the sufferings of animals. That is why he recommended using sharp blades and an easy method in order to the animal can die apace with as little pain as possible. He has also prohibited slaughtering an animal in the presence of another animal and sharpening the blade in the ensure of the animal which is to be slaughtered. If you let the animals witness the sharpening of your blades, according to Prophetic teachings, it is almost similar to slaughter the same animal twice.Ibnu Abbas reported A man has unbroken a sheep laid down while he was sharpening his blade. Then the Prophet told Would you like it to die twice? Why didnt you sharpen your blade out front lying it down? No other religions, isms or any other social leaders too can put forward this kind of noble ideology of extreme sensitivity to the feelings and sufferings of an animal. In short, prophetic environmental teachings recommend to consider the animals as indispensable part of ecology. So it must get the dignity and respect that it deserves. Men must be sensitive an all dealings with animals, no matter whether it is to be slaughtered or not. Through his example of sharpening knife in calculate of animals He teaches men to consider the feelings of animals. If had practiced the Prophetic ideology to protect the environment through preserving animals, we would have overcome the horrible situation of global warming and all other environmental degradation up to an extent.Planting a treePlants are an integral part of the environment. one of the reason for global warming and other environmental problems is that the plants have been lost all over the world due to human activities and as a result carbon dioxide absorption has been diminish more t han 30 per cent within the last 50 years. If you have a means to plant a tree, start digging is the instruction instantly given by the ecologists to preserve the nature. Plants Absorb carbon dioxide and give off the oxygen during the photosynthesis time. A single plant would be able to absorb one ton of carbon dioxide approximately during its life time. Many an infections and disastrous diseases too are becoming increasingly widespread very faster than ever before because of that a large amount of poisonous carbon dioxide is left in the atmosphere unabsorbed. This will adversely affect the immunity of the human body also.Those who resign no stone unturned in getting the environment preserved can really appreciate the greatness of prophetic teaching of plant a tree.Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allahs Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying Never a Muslim plants a tree, but he has the reward of charity for him, for what is eaten out of that is charity what is stol en out of that, what the beasts eat out of that, what the birds eat out of that is charity for him. (In short) none incurs a los k to him but it becomes a charity on his part. (Swaheehu Musli- Hadith No3764)Another hadeethJabir bin . Abdullah (Allah be pleased with them) reported I heard Allahs Messenger (may peace be upon him) saying Never does a Muslim plant, or cultivate, but has reward for him for what the beasts eat, or the birds eat or anything else eats out of that. (Muslim Hadith no3766)This holy Hadeeths not only comprise of the vital important of planting a tree, but also the very structural and biological inter relation of plants, birds, human and other animals. In the second Hadeeth, the usage to cultivate is very important regarding with the preservation of all kinds of cultivations. According to the meaning of this Hadeeth, who ever does some thing to preserve the environment, he will certainly get the charitable reward from the creator of environment. Planting a tree is not only benefited for contributing fruits or seeds but for the carbon dioxide absorption also, which in turn purifies the whole living atmosphere.Prophet Muhammad (s) prohibits cutting and destroying trees.Narrated Hassan ibn Ibrahim I asked Hisham ibn Urwah about the cutting of a lote-tree when he was leaning against the house of Urwah. He said Do you not see these doors and leaves? These were made of the lote-tree of Urwah which Urwah used to cut from his hand? He said There is no harm in it. Humayds version adds You have brought an innovation, O Iraqi He said The innovation is from you. I heard someone say at Mecca The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) cursed him who cuts a lote-tree(without justification). He then mentioned the rest of the tradition to the same effect. (Sunan Abudavud Hadith No5221)Another hadeeth can be read like thishe who cuts a lote-tree (without justification), God will commit him to Hellfire.Those people who cut the trees just for some celebration s and festivals, those countries that destroy forests for the sake of competing development, and those institutions and industries that wipe out plants for their temporary purposes must think about the prophetic teachings of environmental protection. They must understand that what ever they are doing for the sake of industrialization will finally turn to be harmful to their own development.Dont contribute to your own remainderAllah the almighty saysDont make your own hands contribute to your own destruction, but do good only, for Allah loves those who do good (Holy Quran- 2 195)Through this verse Allah prohibits men doing any activity which in turn will contribute to his own destruction. Researchers could find out that about 80 percent of tobacco users will get cancer or some other diseases. Islamic scholars then have given the Fathwa that tobacco consumption is prohibited in Islam according to this verse. Same is the case with environment also. Allah prohibits men destroying anima ls and plants, and polluting water, land and air through this verse. Because these all can contribute to the destruction of human being as well as the environment. predictive TEACHINGS AS ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICSProphet is the pioneer of environmental preservation. The words like conservation of water, ecology, environmental awareness, sustainability etc can be seen in many Quranic verses and Holy Hadeeths. He taught that the natural resources are created by God Allah for mens use. The same time, men dont have any right to overexploit or misuse these natural resources. One of the reasons for environmental problem is that the scarce resources of nature are overexploited. Industrialization has done a major role in this. Prophetic lesson only can crop these problems. Whoever extracts raw materials, oils, and mines, who ever cultivate vegetables and fruits and who ever take water and all must be aware of prophetic environmental ethics that it should not be misused or rather overexploited. This is the only way to protect our limited natural resources.Secondly, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has given the responsibility of environment to men. He will be asked about his nature also. We can not see this seldom explored ideology in any other religions or scientific books. If men had thought about his responsibility of all the living and non-living creatures in his surroundings, most of the species would have had lived here and the whole environment itself would have left tidy and suitable to use.Prophet Muhammad (s) had taught not to pollute water, air and land. He also had taught the way how to treat animals and to plant trees as many as possible. From these noble environmental ethics, we can realize Prophet as a great ecologist, scientist and pioneer of environmental protection when scientific outfits and innovations were nothing. Hence, those who spend a lot for environmental protection must take into grudge the noble ethics of prophet Muhammad(PBUH), and do the best to be practiced every where. The whole ecological harmony and biological relations that the prophet Muhammad (S) advocated between human and his nature has today almost lost. As the whole world is under the great threats of many kinds of natural calamities and these are basically caused by pollution, over exploitation, desertification, animals destruction and deforestation, it is the exact time for the whole world community to think about it seriously and find out the best effective environmental ethics to be practiced. Definitely the sound and effective environmental ethics are lying in the noble teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). So, let the world community as a whole take a leaf out of the Hadeeths and find out the solutions for current environmental crisis.References1- Holy Quran2- Swaheehul Bukhari3- Waheehu Muslim4- Sunan Aboo Davud5- Mishakathul Masabeeh6- Riyalu swaliheen7- Complete biology/ W.R Pickering/ Oxford8- Biology in Action/ Poole, Pikley, Johnson/ HBJ9- The Facts on File Dictionary of Biology/ Elizabeth Tootil/ Oxford10- Islamic Sciences/ S.Waqar Ahmed Hussain/ Good word Books11- Muhammad A Mercy to all Nations/ Al haj Qasim Ali Jairazzbhoy12- Economics/ john Sloman/ fifth edition/ prentice Hall13- www.searchtruth.com