| 24 September 2009
Thus, environment implies the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors that act upon organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form of survival. Moreover, the environmentalism, in the social sciences, implies any theory that concerns the importance of environmental factors in the development of culture and society. Contemporary environmentalists recognize that physical surroundings are only part of a total environment that includes social and economic factors, cultural traditions and reciprocal influences between societies and their environments.
Thus, environment, covers not only the climatic and the geographical surroundings of man, but includes the realm of organic lives, ecosystem and cultural, social and economic aspects of man as a whole. Seen from this perspective, Islam provides a complete scheme to preserve the serenity and balance of the environment. The Quran extends the cantours of ‘Balance’ from the cosmic order to the social patterns. The Quran says “He (Allah) raised the heaven on high and set the balance, that you might not transgress the balance. Give just weight and full measure.” (55:7-8)
Since the decrease in weight and measures results in the chaos and injustice in the society, therefore, the Quran has linked the cosmic balance with the economic integrity of the society. Because, the economic factor of the people affects their spiritual life as well, therefore, an ideal society should be devoid of fraud and deception. The Quran says “Woe to those that deal in fraud, who, when others measure for them, exact in full, but when they measure or weight for others, defraud them!” (83:1).
In the same way, the human beings have been instructed to respect other genuine rights of their neighbours, relatives and parents. There are complete details about such matters in the copious verses of the Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad. Moreover, the animals are to be treated with kindness as The Prophet has once said
“Verily are rewards for our doing good to quadrupeds and giving them water to drink? There are rewards for benefiting every animal having a moist liver”. Islam has suggested the measures to prevent the destruction of trees. It is for the same reason that the cutting of trees is prohibited even during war until their existence becomes advantageous to enemy. Abu Bakr, the first Caliph of Islam while sending his troops to Syria and Iraq instructed the warriors not to destroy the towns and crops. The result of these measures was that every monastery of Sunnis sect of Sufis had a garden and perhaps the same spirit is reflected in the famous Mughal gardens too.
So far cleanliness is concerned; Islam has made it obligatory upon the Muslims to purify themselves, and their surroundings from all impurities. For example, washing the body is enjoined after each of the following impurities; sexual intercourse, breaking wind, menses, pollution, childbirth and miscarriage. Before washing, one must remove impurities such as urine, human excrement and blood. Islam also enjoins the ablution before prayer. The ablution is performed by washing ones hands, rinsing his mouth, taking water into his nostrils, washing his face and arms as high as elbows, drawing his wetted hand over his head, washing his ears and his feet. If a person is pressed by calls of nature, he should not sit in a meeting place of the people, urinate in stagnant water, under a fruit tree, or a in a hard surface and windy place. Moreover, Prophet Muhammad has prohibited breathing inside the pot (while drinking water). In the same way, the Holy Prophet has forbidden drinking water directly from a water-skin. Thus, Islam has systematically provided a complete scheme of measures, in order to display its environment-friendly gesture.