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Apr 7 2005
As American Muslims join in celebrating the 35th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, they
can recall with pride Islam's stance on environmentalism.

In the Quran, Islam's revealed text, men and women are viewed as God's vicegerents on Earth.
(2:30) God created nature in a balance ("al-mizan") and mankind's responsibility is to maintain
this fragile equilibrium through wise governance and sound personal conduct.

The Quran also describes the believing men and women as those who "walk on the Earth in
humility." (25:63) Scholars have interpreted this verse, and others like it, to mean that Muslims
are to protect nature's many bounties given to them by the Almighty. Preservation is therefore
more than a good policy recommendation - it is a commandment from God.

There are more than 700 verses in the Quran that exhort believers to reflect on nature.

For example, the Quran states: "And it is He who spread out the earth, and set thereon
mountains standing firm and (flowing) rivers; and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and
two; He draweth the night as a veil over the Day. Behold, verily in these things there are signs
for those who consider." (13:3)

According to Islamic beliefs, the Earth is a sanctuary in which mankind was made to dwell in
comfort. The vast oceans, forests and mountains that make up this bountiful planet have been
subdued by God for our enjoyment and productive use.

Further, God compels Muslims in the Quran to respect and revere the environment when He
says, "Greater indeed than the creation of man is the creation of the heavens and the earth."
(40:57)

The Prophet Muhammad told his followers they would be rewarded by God for taking care of
the Earth. He said: "If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it,
he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, 8:41) He also
compared Muslims to a "fresh tender plant" that bends, but does not break, when afflicted with
life's inevitable calamities. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, 7:547)

Another tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, or hadith, quotes him as saying: "If the Hour
(Judgment Day) is about to be established and one of you is holding a palm shoot, let him take
advantage of even one second before the Hour is established to plant it."

An example of Muslims taking ownership of their divine obligation to protect the environment
was seen recently when the people of Tanzania reversed a growing trend toward ecological
destruction through a policy of sustainable fishing and environmental preservation based on
the principles of the Quran.
Prior to implementation of the educational program, over-harvesting by fishermen on the
Muslim-majority island of Misali had threatened the area's aquatic ecosystem. But thanks to an
indigenous campaign to remind local inhabitants of Islam's respect for nature, those who earn
their living from the sea learned the benefits of protecting the region's biodiversity.

In Islamic history, Ottoman civilization provides us with another example of the seriousness
with which Muslims have traditionally taken their environmental obligations. Ottoman viziers,
or ministers, advising the sultan on matters of administration and policy regularly encouraged
moratoria on matters deemed potentially damaging to future generations.

Innovations in technology, for example, were hotly debated among scholars, all of whom
recognized the importance of considering the long-term impact on both society and the
environment.

In Islam, even the Earth has inalienable rights endowed by its Creator.

Sound ecological principles are not limited to Islam, and should be acted upon by practitioners
of other faiths. Together we can tackle the environmental problems that besiege our planet.

On this year's Earth Day, people of all faiths should take time to examine their own faith
tradition's advice for taking care of the Earth that we share