International Mountain Day: Manifestations of Environmental Protection in Islam
International Mountain Day is marked every year on December 11. Environmental protection in the 21st century was introduced as one of the eight development goals and one of the three pillars of sustainable development.
The modern attention to the environment comes as 14 centuries ago, the protection of animal rights and the environment had a significant place in Islamic teachings.
As the groups supporting the rights of plants and animals discuss respecting these rights based on human and moral issues, Islam has introduced laws to protect the environment, warning that those who violate these rights will face punishment both in this world and in the Hereafter.
Wise creation of mountains
Islam considers humans and the environment to be complementary. People have been asked to think about the Creator of the mountains. The Holy Quran mentions the word mountain 38 times, naming it as one of the great creations.
“Did you not see how Allah sends down water from the sky and with it brings forth different colored fruits? In the mountains there are paths of various colors, of white and red, and jetblack.” (Surah Al-Fatir, verse 27)
“[Do they not reflect upon] how the mountains were firmly fixed?” (Surah Al-Ghashiyah, verse 19)
There are also other verses that refer to mountains as a source of food for humans and animals, reservoirs of mines and jewels, shade from the heat of the sun, and houses for some tribes.
Mountains have also acted as the last refuge of some believers such as Seven Sleepers, a place for worship and reflection for prophets such as Ibrahim (AS), Musa (AS), and Muhammad (PBUH), and a site for the first divine revelations to the Holy Prophet.
Protecting the environmental
Islamic teachings bar people from killing creatures such as ants, honeybees, and some birds. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was against killing lactating and pregnant animals and warned people against the pointless killing of sparrows.
The most extensive species on earth in terms of diversity, abundance, wonders and beauties are plants. For this reason, the creation of plants has always been emphasized in the verses of the Quran. More than 12 types of plants are mentioned in the Holy Quran, including dates, olives, and pomegranates.
There are also repeated orders to preserve plants in the seerah of Ahl al-Bayt (AS). For instance, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “If the Day of Judgment erupts while you are planting a new tree, carry on and plant it.”
In another Hadith, he said: “Whoever waters a tree, it is as if he has watered a thirsty believer.” Or another hadith reads: “When one of you is given a flower, smell it and put it on your eyes because that flower has come from heaven.”
The Prophet's orders about not cutting down trees, not killing animals, and not polluting and poisoning running water during the war show the importance and place of protecting the environment.
This article was originally written in Persian by Elahe Sadat Badi’zadegan.
