لنستخرج كنوزا من المعرفة و الإبداع و العلم و الأفكار
3. SUSTAINABILITY OF ENVIRONMENT FROM ISLAMIC POINT VIEW Islam is the name of religion which arose in what is now known as Saudi Arabia in 610 A.D (Abd-Allah, 2004). Its initiator was the prophet Mohammed (Peace Be upon Him). The message of God revealed to him is contained in the Holy Qur'an. The prophet Mohammed (Peace Be upon Him) taught the Muslim followers some lessons that touch their lives. These lessons have been recorded and compiled in the Hadith. Muslims learn from these two books, Qu'ran and Hadith. The rules in those two books and the body of legal opinion recorded by Muslims lawyers relating to all facts of social life in Islamic society are called (Shariah). Shariah covers all areas of economic, social, political and also ecological aspects. Islam is not just religion; it represents an entire sense of community and a way of life. It defines both a world view and a guidance framework for actions in all spheres of life (Ahmed, 1988). Sustainable development is not a new concept to Muslims. The Qur'an and the Hadith provide the framework for the spiritual and physical welfare of humanity. There are over 500 verses in the Qur'an giving Muslims guidance on matters relating to the environment and how to deal with it, and there are numerous examples from the prophet Mohammed's life (PBUH) and his sayings, which provide a model for justice and equity (Hassan and Cajee,2002). 759 The Islamic perspective embraces that everything on the earth was created for humanity and is God's award to people. However, it is an award with conditions and it is unquestionably that carries responsibilities. The earth then is a testing ground of the humankind. The tests are a measure of man's acts of admiration (Khalid, 2002). On this subject Qur'an says: “Allah sends down water from the sky and by it brings the dead earth back to life. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who hear. There is instruction for you in cattle. From the contents of their bellies, from between dung and blood, we give pure milk to drink, easy for drinkers to swallow. And from the fruit of the date palm and the grapevine you derive both intoxicants and wholesome provision. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who use their intellect. Your Lord revealed to the bees: Build dwelling in the mountains and the trees, and also in the structures which men erect. Then eat from every kind of fruit and travel the paths of your Lord, which have been made easy for you to follow. From inside them comes a drink of varying colours, containing healing for mankind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect” (An-Nahl (16), 65-59:273-274). Mohammed (PBUH) also asked his followers that: “Not to harm women, children and the infirm, not to harm animals, destroy crops or cut down trees”. This Hadith is sort of recognition of the human condition and the value of nature, they never been separated from each other. 4. SHARIAH TAKE PLACE TO VALUE NATURE The Arabic word Shariah means the source of life and contains both legal rules and ethical principles. It is established since the founding of Islam in the 7th century (Cone, 2003:64). Qur'an says: “But no, by your Lord they can have no faith until they make you judge in all disputes between them” (An-Nisa (4), 65:88). “And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path” Ash-Shura (42), Verse.52:489). Narrated An-Nu'man bin Bashir: The Prophet said “Both legal and illegal things are obvious, and in between them are (suspicious) doubtful matters. So who-ever forsakes those doubtful things lest he may commit a sin, will definitely avoid what is clearly illegal; and who-ever indulges in these doubtful things bravely, is likely to commit what is clearly illegal”. Therefore from Qur'an and Hadith (Shariah) teaches human being that there are two purposes of his/her creation (Ahmed, 2002): To be God’s Vicegerent ( Khalifa) on earth, even as God said in the Qur’an: “It is God who has created for you all that is on earth….And remember when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Verily, I am going to place a viceroy (mankind) on earth.’ They said: ‘Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, -while we glorify You with praise and sanctify You?” God said: ‘Verily, I know better what you do not know” (Al-Baqara (2), 29- 30:5-6). This last verse refers to the time when God announced to the angels that He was going to create the first man, Adam (PBUH). To serve and worship God by fulfilling all acts of worship prescribed by Him, and by keeping good relationship between human beings, even as God said in the Qur’an: “I have not created the Jinn and men but to serve me”(AdhDhariyat(51), 56:523). This is indicated by the division of the Shariah relevant 760 to human action into four categories as stated by Shariah scholars, a Muslim is required to perform those actions: 1. Obligatory actions (Wajib): it is any act Islam makes obligatory on a mukaluf Muslim in a significant way and which under no circumstances can she/he ignore (Ibid). Shariah warns against exceeding in using of natural resources. For example, the prophet (PBUH) dedicated specific area in Mecca and Medina as where no natural plants could be uproot and no animals hunted (ISESCO, 2005) “Allah's Hima (i.e. private pasture) and whoever pastures (his sheep) near it, is likely to get in it at any moment”. The use of Hima system and haram zone is still widespread in some Muslims countries especially in rural areas where Himas are created to support animals grazing on a more communal basis (Fakir, 2005). 2. Ethical actions (Mustahab): a Muslim is encouraged to perform those actions, sustains no adherence, no responsibility of those actions, examples of those actions is protecting the environment (Izzi-Deen, 1990).
1.The environment is God's creation and to protect it is to preserve its values as a sign of the Creator.
2.The component parts of nature are entities in continuous admiration of their Creator. “The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein praise Him, and there is not such a thing but hymneth his praise; but ye understand not their praise. Lo! He is ever Clement, Forgiving” (Al-Isra (17), 44:286).
3.The law of nature is law made by the Creator and based on the concept the absolute continuity of existence. “Hast thou not seen that unto Allah payeth adoration whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the hills, and the trees, and the beasts, and many of mankind”(Al-Hajj(22), 18:334).
4.The Shariah acknowledges that humankind is not the only community to live on the earth. “There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you” (Al-Anaam (6), 38:132). “See you not (O Muhammad) that Allah, He it is Whom glorify whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, and the birds with wings out-spread (in their flight)?. Of each one He (Allah) knows indeed his Salat (prayer) and his glorification, [or everyone knows his Salat (prayer) and his glorification]; and Allah is All-Aware of what they do” (An-Nur (26), Verse41:355).
5.Islamic environmental ethics is based on the concept that all human relationships are established on justice and equity. “Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness”. And Prophet Mohammed thought: “Verily Allah has prescribed equity in all things”.
6.The balance of the universe created by God. Functions carefully measured and exactly balanced by the Creator. "Has taught (you mankind) the Qur,an (by His Mercy). He created man. He taught him eloquent speech. The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses (exactly) calculated with measured out stages for each (for reckoning, etc.). And the herbs (or stars) and the trees both prostrate. And the heaven He has raised high, and He has set up the Balance. In order that you may not transgress (due) balance, and observe the weight with equity and do not make the balance deficient"(Al-Rahman (55), 1-9:531). “Everything with Him is measured”(Al-Rad (13), 8:250). "There is not a thing but with Us are the stores thereof. And We send it not down save in appointed measure"(Al-Hijr (15), 21:263).
3. Permission actions (Mubah): a Muslim is given complete freedom of choice within the circle of permission; in terms of environmental point view, the prophet 761 Mohamed said "whoever brings dead land to life, for him is a reward in it, and whatever any creature seeking food eats of it shall be reckoned as charity from him"(Selleh,1992). Also the prophet claimed about this matter that: People who reclaim or revive land have permission to its ownership. Land grants may be made by the state for reclamation and development. Land may be leased for its usufruct by the state for its reclamation and development. Special reserves may be established by the state for use as conservation zones.
4. Abominable actions (Makruh): those which are morally but not legally wrong, it is preferable to avoid such acts in the interests of self or society (Ibid). The Shariah also evolved within these actions a principle, which is a bigger loss cannot be prescribed to ease a smaller loss and a bigger benefit takes precedence over a smaller one. Conversely a smaller harm can be prescribed to avoid a bigger harm and a smaller benefit can be dispensed with in preference to a bigger one (Khalid, 2002).
5. Prohibited actions (Muharam): It is any act that Islam prohibits the religiously responsible Muslim (Ibid, (2005). Islam allows the consumption of the natural environment without involving unnecessary destruction (Khalid, 2002). "O Children of Adam look to your adornment at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not prodigal. Lo! He loves not the prodigals"(Al-Araf (7), 31:154). The environment is not down in the service of the present generation alone. It is rather the gift of God to all generations, past, present and future. “He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth”(Al-Baqara (2), 29:5). In these Qur'anic verses, eating and drinking refer to the utilization of the sources of life; such utilization is not without controls. The component elements of life have to be protected so that their utilization may continue in a sustainable way (Izzi-Deen, 1990). The forbidden things or acts are limited and whatever else beside, is to enjoy according to a system which preserves the way of life and provides balance and harmony in every human activity (Ibid). Khalid, (2002) explains in this matter that the interests of the community have to take precedence over the interests of the individual: Allah is the only owner of the earth and everything in it. People embrace land on usufruct - that is, for its utility value only. There is a restricted right to public property. Mistreatment of rights is prohibited and disciplined. There are rights to the benefits derived from natural resources held in common. Scarce resource utilization is controlled. The common welfare is protected. Benefits are protected and detriments are either reduced or eliminated.
