Environmental Crisis: Modern and Islamic Alternatives

In the present scenario, what does the world envisage? From ozone depletion and environmental degradation to global warming, environmental pollution, and ecological crises. When the world searches for remedies for these disasters, Islam has its own modern alternatives to the environmental crisis. As alternatives, Islam promotes renewable energy such as solar, wind, and water. Renewable energies are suitable for sustainable farming, which results in long-term benefits. Besides this, Islam also promotes vertical farming, regenerative agriculture, and precision farming as alternatives.

Environmentalism and Islamic Framework

Every creation of Almighty God is interconnected under the Unity of God. Thereby, protecting other creations becomes an act of worship to God and respect for God’s creations. The Almighty God says in the Holy Quran that the divine order consigns humans as stewards to preserve the balance made by Him. And we are responsible for maintaining that balance. The overexploitation of resources, wasting them, and environmental degradation are violations of this balance. Therefore, the one who commits these is transgressing the divine order of Almighty God. Almighty God has a mechanism of reward and punishment: reward for those maintaining the balance and punishment for those who transgress the balance.

Islam promotes moderation and acts against wastefulness. It is comparable to the modern concept of sustainability, which includes minimizing waste and reducing the consumption of resources. Islam gives more value to Taharah (purity). As we can see, cleanliness is half of faith, and it helps to ensure the longevity of natural resources. We can see in the report of Al-Bukhari that whoever plants a tree, and a bird or a person eats from it, it is regarded as Sadaqah (a charitable gift). Thereby, Islam also promotes sustainability and the planting of trees.