NATURE FROM AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim Alhamdulillahi rabbil-‘alamin was-Salatu was-Salam ‘ala Sayyidil-Mursalin wa ‘ala ‘Alihi wa Sahbihi Ajma’in. As Salamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

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Q1: Why do we need nature? What are your thoughts on why we weren't created as fully independent living beings?

The purpose of nature, according to Islam, is for us to "study nature to discover Allah (s.w.t.) and to use nature for the benefit of mankind." Nature can be used to provide food for humanity, and its bounty should be distributed among all people. All activities that harm humankind and thus destroy nature are prohibited. Destruction of the natural balance is discouraged, for example, unnecessarily killing animals or removing vegetation, which can lead to starvation due to a lack of food. This viewpoint is an extension of the notion that "Man" has been placed on Earth to serve as Allah (s.w.t.) 's representative (successors in the land).

The Islamic perspective on nature is rooted in the Quran, Allah (s.w.t.) 's every word, and the foundation of Islam. The following verses demonstrate how the Quran depicts the entire universe:

We created not the heavens, the Earth, and all between them, merely in (idle) sport; we created them not except for ends. However, most of them do not understand (Surah Al-Dukhān 44: 38-39)

Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the Earth; In the alternation of the night and the day; In the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; In the rain which Allah (s.w.t.) sends down from the skies And the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; In the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the Earth; In the change of the winds and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the Earth - (here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:164).

Furthermore, in the story of Prophet Musa (a.s.) Allah (s.w.t.) reveals himself through mountains(nature) in Surah Al-A'raf (7:143) "When Moses came at the appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him, he asked, "My Lord! Reveal Yourself to me so I may see You." Allah (s.w.t.) answered, "You cannot see Me! But look at the mountain. If it remains firm in its place, only then will you see Me." When his Lord appeared on the mountain, He leveled it to dust, and Moses collapsed unconscious. When he recovered, he cried, "Glory be to You! I turn to You in repentance, and I am the first of the believers."

Therefore, we -humankind- are encouraged to study and understand the existence of Allah (s.w.t.) by means of his creatures (nature) as Allah (s.w.t.) shows us in the holy Qur'an.

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Q2: What are our responsibilities towards nature? Did ideas like environmentalism arise out of nowhere? What is the Islamic approach to nature?

As Muslims, we are aware that numerous people have rights over us. Allah (SWT) has commanded us to be kind to our neighbors, to speak gently to our parents, to provide for our families, and to give regularly to those in need. In addition to human rights, the environment around us has rights we have promised to respect.

We can discuss this issue in terms of two concepts, one of which is protecting nature. As we have given our oath to respect nature, we must preserve and enlarge it. Accordingly, Allah (s.w.t.) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:60), "And remember when Moses prayed for water for his people, We said, "Strike the rock with your staff." Then twelve springs gushed out, and each tribe knew its drinking place. ˹We then said, "Eat and drink of Allah's provisions, and do not go about spreading corruption in the land." In addition, Prophet Muhamad (p.b.u.h.) warned us believers about this issue by saying, "Even if the Resurrection were established upon one of you while he has in his hand a sapling, let him plant it." (Musnad Aḥmad 12902).

The other concept is not being wasteful. Islam already prohibits waste in terms of everything related to humans and nature. To exemplify, Allah (s.w.t.) warns us in Surah Al-A'raf (7:31), "O Children of Adam! Dress properly whenever you are at worship. Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely, He does not like the wasteful." Let me quote it again, "Surely, Allah (s.w.t.) does not like the wasteful." Moreover, our beloved Prophet (p.b.u.h.) has left a legacy of the idea of "Be thrifty (with water) when making wudu, even if you are at the river bank." (Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 731). As seen in Ayah and Hadith's examples, Islam gives us a huge responsibility towards nature.

About "environmentalism." The environmentalism movement rose in the mid-19th century during the Industrial Revolution. The idea clearly came out due to the air pollution caused by the new industrial world. The idea itself is decent and understandable. Yet, it is already twelve hundred years later than Islam. Islam has warned and directed us in the mid of 7th century.

What we want to reach on this issue is that we -believers- know that Islam is above all of the good movements for man. And thus, we call ourselves Muslim rather than environmentalists, which is more than enough to manifest our attitude towards anything, including the environment (nature).