Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
It is quite striking to the fair researchers how the Qur’an and Sunnah
cared about the environment. For example, the Qur’an says:
"Do they not look at the camels how they are created"
(88:17)
Here the Qur’an mentions camels rather than other animals. The reason
behind that is to attract the attention to this remarkable animal and calling
people to contemplate about its structure, properties and benefits, as it is the
closest of the grazing live-stock to the Bedouins who are addressed directly by
the Qur’an.
The Qur’an speaks repeatedly of grazing live-stock (camels, sheep,
cattle) rather than other animals that might exist in other areas. The reason is
that it wants to attract the attention of the addressed people to the animals
present in the surrounding environment in order to make use of them; be grateful
to the Bounties of Allah, to eat its meat and drink its milk.
"Pure milk palatable to drinkers." (16:66)
Also, to enjoy their sight when you are leading them in the morning and
bringing them back in the evening.
"And wherein is beauty for you, when you bring them from home in the
evening and as you lead them forth to pasture in the morning."
(16:6)
The same is mentioned in the Qur’an about the bees; their homes,
various kinds, nutritive and medical values in a Surah called "The
Bees".
Likewise, the Qur’an talks about the date-palm, grapes, crops of
diverse flavor, the olive and the pomegranate similar and different. Here the
Qur’an stresses on two important aspects:
- Enjoying its beauty:
"Look at their fruits thereof when they bear fruit and upon its
ripening." (6:99)
- Making use of its substance, but paying the due Zakah prescribed by
Allah.
"Eat of their fruit when they bring fruit, but pay the due thereof (its
Zakah according to Allah’s Order) on the day of its harvest. But be not
extravagant." (6:141)
It was repeatedly mentioned in the Qur’an: Forbidding from spoiling the
earth after Allah (Exalted and Almighty) has created it suitable and well
prepared for the successive human generations. It announced that Allah does not
like spoiling or those who spoil in life, this includes spoiling environment,
polluting it or being aggressive with it. Also it is forbidden to abuse it in
any way that would make it deviate from the purpose of Allah created it for.
This would be like showing ingratitude to Allah, that would cause vengeance from
Allah, and becomes like a warning to those who perpetrated this, that severe
penalty will almost come upon them as what happened before to the `Aad and the
Thamud and those who came after them.
"Who did transgress beyond bounds in the land (in the disobedience of
Allah) and made therein much mischief. So your Lord poured on them different
kinds of severe torment. Surely your Lord is Ever-Watchful."
(89:11-14)
This is like the punishment that came upon the Saba’ who did not
appreciate the bounties that Allah gave them; the fertile land, the fresh pure
water, the sweet-smelling gardens, and they showed reluctance, neglected the
land and wasted their source of bounty. Allah (Exalted and Almighty)
said:
"Indeed there was for (the) Saba’a sign in their dwelling place.
Two gardens on the right hand and on the left (and it was said to them): Eat of
the Provision of your Lord and be grateful to Him, a fair land and an
Oft-forgiving Lord. But they turned away from the obedience of Allah, so We sent
against them Sail al-`Arim (flood released from the dam) and we converted the
two gardens into gardens producing better bad fruit and tamarisks and some few
lote-trees. Like this We required them because they were ungrateful disbelievers
and never do We require in such a way except those who are ungrateful
disbelievers." (34:15-17)
