Environmental Protection in View of Islam
The issue of damage to the environment has always existed throughout history, however, a new problem has been raised in new decades which is the destruction of the environment. As science has increased the power of man to control nature and the environment, in the same way, it has increased our ability to destroy the environment. In the Holy Quran, God Almighty warns against corruption on earth while also paying attention to the preservation of life.
In verse 87 of Surah Al-Maida, we read: "And do not transgress the limits and commands of God, for God does not love the transgressors." We also read in verse 27 of Surah Al-Baqarah: "And they corrupt among the people of the earth, they are truly losers."
Verse 87 of Surah Al-Ma’idah reads: “Do not transgress for God does not love the transgressors.” We also read in verse 27 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “Who break the covenant of Allah after accepting it and sever what Allah has bidden to be joined and corrupt in the land. These are the losers.”
The blessings that are bestowed to the man on the earth are lawful and permissible as long as they do not lead to corruption; “Eat and drink of that which Allah has provided and do not act evilly in the land, corrupting,” reads verse 69 of Surah Al-Baqarah. Therefore, failure to take care of the earthly blessing can damage the environment and lead to corruption.
In verse 205 of Surah Al-Baqarah, damage to the environment and humans have been mentioned beside each other and this shows the relations between the two: “No sooner does he leave than he hastens about the earth to corrupt there and destroy crops and cattle. Allah does not love corruption.”
This is why we must take care of the environment, as a God-given gift, so that this blessing does not turn into a source of misery for humans.
