Now that we’ve looked at a few of the world’s religions, we’ll move on to Islam. Like most of the other religions, Muslims believe that God is the Creator of everything, and that the whole universe belongs to Him. Not only that, but the ultimate source of all value is in God.

Nature is also held in a elevated position by God, higher in fact, than that of Man:

Assuredly the creation of the heavens and the earth is a greater (matter) than the creation of en: Yet most men understand not.

(Quran; 40:57)

Man is also prevented from viewing nature in a completely utilitarian way, because God says in His Books that the primary purpose of creating all the exists, including nature, is to worship Him:

The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: there not a thing but celebrates His praise; and yet you understand not how they declare His glory! Verily, He is Oft-Forbearing, Most-Forgiving.

(Quran; 17:44)

Man is thus asked to humble himself, to realise that the earth and nature is so complex yet so perfectly balanced, and also to respect nature for the simple fact that nature is continuously in praise of its Creator while Man is neglectful. Thus Man has been inculcated with the attitude of inherently being able to appreciate and respect nature.

So what is the role of Man on earth? 

Like most religions, Man is said to be a steward on earth (Khalifah fil ardh). Although Man has been given the attitude of respect for nature, he still needs to be guided on how to live a life that is respectful towards nature yet still giving him the space to thrive and flourish.

Behold they Lord said to the angels: “I will create a vicegerent on earth.” They said, “Wilt thou place therein one who will make mischief there in and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify They name?” He said, “I know what you know not.”

(Quran 2:30)

We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains: but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it – he was indeed unjust and foolish.

(Quran 33:72)

So not only did God place Man as a vicegerent on earth, Man also took on the trust to protect the earth, a momentous trust that all of the heavens, the earth, and the mountains were afraid to take on. However, God does say that He never tasks a person beyond what he has the capacity to bear (2:286), so we can thus assume that we will be able to overcome the current adversities we are facing in the environment, and that it is no good being pessimistic about the future.

Now, what does Islam have to say about intergenerational equality?

The definition of sustainable development is to use resources at a rate that will meet the needs of the current generation without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Islam addresses this need and agrees that we have the obligation to take care of our future generations and ensure that they inherit an earth that is still functioning as well as it possible could be. In fact, denying a person of his or her inheritance is an injustice that has to be paid for in the hereafter.

Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, said: “If any one deprives an heir of his inheritance, Allah will deprive him of his inheritance in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection.”

(Reported in Sunan Ibn Majah)

Thus, we have to constantly check that the consequences of our activities today do not have negative impacts on our future generations. Not only that, but there is a strong element of accountability for all our actions. Whatever Man does, we will be accountable for it on the Day of Resurrection. For our future generations, the world still has to be kept in a delicate balance (Mizan) that is ‘naturally’ maintained by the eco-system, and the self-regulating earth.

However, we can see today that Man has largely disrupted this balance, as predicted in the Quranic verse:

Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil).

(Quran 30:41)

In a way, we are seeing the manifestation of this today. Man is realising the effects his actions have on the environment and there have been moves to shift over from dominionistic paradigms to more ecological paradigms, some of which are more spiritual in nature.

Let’s now see what Islam has to say about animals, plants, and wastage.