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Environmental Ethics in Islam Attention to the Environment Modern attention to the environment and its protection has been on the agenda for less than a century. – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: SMT Bid Presentation


1

2
EnvironmentalEthics in Islam
3
Attention to the Environment
  • Modern attention to the environment and its
    protection has been on the agenda for less than a
    century.
  • Only after the full scale of the damage done to
    the planets environment, did we become serious
    about the environment and its preservation.

4
Environmental Protection
  • Environmental protection as a scientific field
    rests on two main disciplines.
  •  
  • Waste minimisation and control.
  • Conservation of environment conservation of
    air, land, water, vegetation, animal life and
    natural resources.

5
Humanity and Earth
  • The Quran tells us that human beings are
    created from an earthly essence and more
    generally that every living being is created from
    water.
  • Have not those who disbelieve known that the
    heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We
    parted them, and We made every living thing of
    water? Will they not then believe? (Quran,
    2130)
  • We have a common physical existence
    with everything else on earth.

6
Humanity and the Ecological System
  • Every living being adds value to its ecological
    system.
  • Human beings, on the other hand, consume the best
    of what nature has to offer and turns it into
    waste that is flushed away in a hurry.
  • Humanity, in a physical sense, adds no value to
    the ecological environment.

7
Humanity and the Environment
  • Humanity is not really part of the ecological
    system, as it functions independently of humans.
  • Humans are designed to utilise the materials
    provided by the earth and to live within the
    environment but are really alien to the
    ecosystem.

8
The Purpose of Human Existence
  • For human existence, one has to look for a
    purpose other than its mere physical existence.
  • The finer intellectual and spiritual
    faculties are given to us for a more
    comprehensive and willing spiritual
    enlightenment and worship.
  • The Quran also talks about the worship
    of everything that is in the
    heavens and the earth. (Quran,
    5156)

9
Humanity and the Environment
  • We live on earth and inevitably interact with the
    environment.
  • Not being part of the ecosystem, the result of
    our inevitable interaction with the environment
    is in the form of consuming its value-added
    products without returning any tangible value.
  • Humanity depends on the environment but the
    environment does not depend on humanity.

10
Adding Value to the Environment
  • The only real value we can add to the environment
    is by protecting and preserving it.
  • Islam addresses the issue at three levels.

11
1. We only take care of things we perceive as
valuable
  • The first thing Islam does is to give immense
    worth to the environment. Islam asserts that all
    life is special and valuable because it is the
    life and the art displayed by each creature that
    connects it to the Divine. To a Muslim, God has
    created this universe like a majestic palace.
  • Therefore, in Islam, the natural
    environment and animal forms
    are sacred and
    valuable.

12
The Honourable Status of a Human Being is Not
Absolute
  • The level of human development one attains is the
    measure of every persons status with respect to
    other beings.
  • Just as it is possible to reach levels above
    other creation, it is also possible to fall far
    below it.
  • What might appear to be an advantage can turn out
    to be disadvantageous.

13
2. With the freedom of choice comes accountability
  • One of the roles given to humanity in the Quran
    is that of vicegerent caliph on earth. This
    role gives the human being authority over the
    creation, rendering the creation on earth at
    human disposal.
  • This is not an unconditional authority, as
    accountability is a natural consequence of
    authority.
  • Therefore, Islam teaches that on the Day of
    Judgment humanity will be questioned about its
    treatment of animals and the environment.

14
3. Recognition of Ecosystems
  • The recognition that the vegetable and animal
    worlds establish ecosystems just as humans
    develop interdependent communities.
  • The Quran clearly talks about living beings
    existing in ecological systems.
  • The comparison of animal species to human
    communities by the Quran is very significant.

15
Islam and the Environment
  • The Quran states, O Children of Adam! Eat and
    drink but waste not in excess, for God does not
    love the wasters.
  • Islam takes efforts to minimise waste to a higher
    level in the words of the Prophet Muhammadpbuh,
    who asked people not to overuse water even while
    having the ablution for prayer next to a flowing
    river.
  • Muhammadpbuh also said that the lowest
    manifestation of belief in a person is that
    one should remove harmful
    objects in the path of people.

16
Considering Future Generations
  • In a well-known saying, Muhammadpbuh recommends
    that we lay in the ground the plant at hand even
    if it is the Last Day on earth.
  • It is characteristic of the sayings of
    Muhammadpbuh, that there is always the hint of a
    very important teaching in every recommendation.
  • In this case, while people are being encouraged
    to plant a tree, this is not to be done for an
    immediate benefit, but for the benefit of future
    generations.

17
Showing Kindness to All
  • The Prophet Muhammadpbuh enjoined people to show
    kindness not only to each other but also to all
    living souls.
  • He forbade the practice of cutting the tails and
    manes of horses, of branding animals at any
    tender spot, and of keeping horses saddled
    unnecessarily.
  • If he saw any animal over-loaded or ill-fed he
    would pull up the owner and say, "fear God in
    your treatment of animals."

18
Animal Rights
  • Islam is arguably the first religion that
    introduced animal rights along with human rights.
  • Muhammadpbuh stated, "Verily, there is heavenly
    reward for every act of kindness done to a living
    animal."
  • It is also believed in Islam that humans will be
    judged on their treatment of animals on the Day
    of Judgment.

19
History of the Islamic World
  • Clear pronouncements in the Quran and the
    example of Muhammadpbuh gave Muslims the impetus
    to preserve the environment and to get a good
    record for their treatment of wild life and
    domestic animals.
  • During the Ottoman reign (12991923),
    comprehensive waste and environmental management
    regulations were stipulated as early as 1539.
  • In 1502, local government legislation regulated
    the loads of animals and the number of days they
    could be worked in a week.
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