In an age of unprecedented global environmental crisis, Muslims around the world should strive to draw upon Quranic and Sunnah teachings for guidance on environmental stewardship and sustainability practices. As believers, we are called to be khalifah (stewards) of the Earth, entrusted by Allah with a sacred responsibility that extends far beyond our individual needs.
This scared responsibility is grounded in fundamental Islamic principles that provide theological framework and practical guidance for environmental action.
Islamic Foundations for Earth Protection:
1. Tawhid: The Oness of God.
Tawhid represents the basis of Islam recognizing God’s absolute oneness and sovereignty over all creation. This concept establishes that God is the one and only Lord of every created being, making every creature intrinsically connected through their shared Creator.
The principle emphasizes that God has created each thing in truth and for right, meaning nothing exists without purpose or value. As stated in the Qur’an, “We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in vain” (44:38-39). This divine creation warrants special respect to all creation.
The existence of all the creation of Allah affirms the Wisdom and Greatness of God. Each creature glorifies the Creator, even though we might not understand its glorification.
All creation has intrinsic, instrumental and practical value. Every creation is interconnected and interdependent , necessitating harmonious coexistence.
2. Taqwa: The Consciousness of God , Care, and Carefulness
Taqwa encompasses the attitude of reverence towards God that must extend to our treatment of His entire creation. Since God is the Lord of everything, believers are called to revere Him in every aspect of life, including how we interact with the natural world.
This principle demands that we treat every creature – whether human, animal, plant, or insect – with profound respect. Each being, though seemingly insignificant, represents a sign of the Creator who created it.
3. Rahmah and Ihsan: Compassion, Mercy and Excellence
Rahmah (Mercy) must complement reverence through concrete beneficial actions towards the entire creation of God.
Prophet said: “The compassionate are shown compassion by the All-Compassionate. Show compassion to those on earth, and He Who is in heaven will show compassion to you.”
This establishes a direct spiritual connection between how we treat creation and how we receive divine mercy.
4. Khalifah: Stewardship
In the Qur’an, Allah revealed humanity’s role as caretakers of this Earth:
He is the One Who has placed you as successors on earth and elevated some of you in rank over others, so He may test you with what He has given you. Surely your Lord is swift in punishment, but He is certainly All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur’an 6:165),
Khalifah is not a privilege but a trust and a responsibility from the Creator of all that exists.
The divine role demands that each human being acts as a shepherd over all life on Earth promoting their well being and not exploiting them. As stewards of the Earth, we should extend our call to all craetion of God of all generations
This stewardship represents both an honor and an immense responsibility to protect and nurture all of creation as trustees of the Earth.
Going back to the question of why Muslims should engage in environmental protection, the Islamic principles explained above provide a clear answer. Earth care is an integral part of Islamic practice, with detailed guidance on how to interact with the natural world found in the Quran and exemplified in the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Honoring the commands of our Creator will earn us His pleasure while simultaneously protecting the earth for ourselves, all creation within it, and future generations, in sha Allah.
Important note:
This article draws upon insights from the “Al Mizan” A Covenant for the Earth.
