ETHICS - islamic ethical teachings on environmental ethics Flashcards
islam and doing what is right
The relationship between humankind and the environment is part of social existence.
An existence based on the fact that everything on earth glorifies and exalts the same god (Surat al-lsra 17:44 ‘the night journey’)
The basis of muslim social interaction is to establish good action and prohibit the bad. This is fardh
Teaching others about the natural world and how to behave in it are important parts of this responsibility
sources of shariah law
o Shariah’s function is to apply the principles of the qur’an to specific situations not addressed in the qur’an.
o Many environmentally concerns are modern issues, not envisaged at the time of the revelation of the qur’an
o The basic principle of shariah is to see the will of allah carried out on earth the same as In heaven.
four sources of shariah/where are ethics drawn from?
- The Qur’an – primary source of authority
o As the primary source of god revelation, the qur’an is the sourcebook of Islamic principles and values. There are about 350 legal verse iut of the 6235 verses. The qur’an contains over 650 references to ecology - Sunnah of the prophet
o Words, actions and approvals (and disapprovals) of Muhammad as the messenger of god. An individual narrated report is called a hadith. There are an abundance of hadith concerning plants, trees land cultivation, irrigation crops, livestock, grazing and treatment of animals. Provides ecological guidance for Muslims on how to interact with the environment - Consensus (ijma) (sunni only)
o Consensus of the community of scholars over a solution to a legal and practical issue. When a certain ruling lasts the test of time, more and more jurists as well as people accept the ruling achieving a consensus over that matter - Analogical reasoning (Qiyas)
o Extending established legal precedence to new matters by identifying an operative cause applicable to both situations. The issue will be looked at and they will try to find something similar to Muhammad to come to a conclusion.
Famous hadith from Muhammad
“Live in this world as if you were going to live forever. Prepare for the next world as is you were going to die tomorrow.” (Bukhari)
what is the essence of islam
o Submission and surrender to the will of Islam
o Everything a Muslim does is to get closer to Allah. Shariah helps guide them closer
islam instructs the human being
o Not to destroy
o Maintain, protect and preserve
o Enjoy and show thankfulness
o All of these 3 are what is expected in how a Muslim treats the environment
o The prophet defines the sole objective of his mission when he says:
“I was sent to complete and perfect good ethical character” (hadith)
what does the hadith imply for muslims
The prophet = walking quran
Therefore not only the quran but also the many hadith are going to have profound influence on Islamic environmental ethics
so why environmental concern?
The qur’an says that allah is creator of the world Human beings are on the world as trustees or ‘vicegerents’ – they are told to look after the world for allah and for the future”
“The Earth is green and beautiful, and Allah has appointed you his stewards over it. The whole earth has been created a place of worship, pure and clean. Whoever plants a tree and diligently looks after it until it matures and bears fruit is rewarded. If a Muslim plants a tree or sows a field and humans and beasts and birds eat from it, all of it is love on his part.” Hadith
In the Qur’an, Muslims are instructed to look after the environment and not to damage it:
“Devote thyself single-mindedly to the Faith, and thus follow the nature designed by Allah, the nature according to which He has fashioned mankind. There is no altering the creation of Allah.” Surah 30:30
overall view of the envriroment
Most Muslims believe that humankind today, finds himself at a point in history that is critical in terms of the very nature of the relationship to the natural world, as the human activities over the last century have badly affected it.
o Three main ideas here:
- Being a good steward/vicegerent = Khalifa / Caliph
- Remembering all of nature as ‘signs of Allah’ (evidence of Creator) = Ayat (sign of Allah)
- Being ‘entrusted’ by Allah to honour and protect the environment = Amanah (trust)
The earth is considered as a sacred garden in the Qur’an.
For example, if there is insufficient water for ritual washing before prayer, sand or clean soil may be used.
Surah 4:43 states:
“……do not drawer near to prayer…….. until you have bathed. If…….. you find no water, then go to clean, high soil and rub your faces and your hands therewith.”
mulsims beliefs about creation
o The Islamic view of creation is essentially theocentric (God-centered) meaning it is believed that everything in the universe is created by God.
o The Qur’an emphatically declares that nature is created by One, the Allah:
o “There is no God but He, the Creator of all things” Qur’an 6:102
o Muslims believe that Islam began with the creation of man by Allah. People were created to serve God and obey his will.
o This teaching can be found in the Muslim creation story recorded in the Qur’an.
o Allah created an order in the world and made human beings khalifas (stewards) of his creation.
o It means they have the responsibility to care for and look after creation.
o Allah created all life and Muslims believe they should be thankful for this gift. The earth and everything on it belongs to Allah and is entrusted to mankind until the Day of Judgement
o Allah gave people free will – this means they have the freedom to choose their own path in life.
o Allah also ordained and ordered a way of life for people to follow. However, people must freely choose to submit to Allah’s will. If they do they do this, then life on Earth will be good.
o The term Islam means ‘submission and peace’ so Muslims believe that they have a
