Man and nature: an Islamic perspective

Introduction and Preliminary Notes This essay presents a short overview of the Islamic philosophical approach to nature, the Islamic perspective on modern science and the relations between sacred tradition, nature, and science in light of the ongoing environmental crisis. It also proposes a solution to the environmental crisis, based on an integrated understanding of these subject matters. This is conducted through a lens that is Islamic by method but universal in principle and conclusion.1 The prime source of all Islamic thought and practice, from theological doctrine to sacred law, is the Holy Qur’an. Similarly, in this essay, the influence of Qur’anic teachings is much greater than what may just appear in citations; their influence is central to this work. With that said, if there is anything presented in this essay that is disharmonious with the Qur’anic message, it is the fault of the essay’s author. Another prime source used for the purpose of this essay is the work and teaching of the Islamic philosopher Seyyed Hossein Nasr. An esteemed author of over 50 books and 500 articles, Nasr has written extensively on a wide array of subjects including Sufism, perennial philosophy,2 comparative religion, the sacred sciences and the natural environment.3 In fact, much of this essay can be regarded as a summary of his integrated writings on modern humanity’s approach to science, spirituality and nature. Nasr has spoken at many lecture-series and seminars, and in 1980 he was the first Muslim to deliver the prestigious Gifford Lectures- a renowned annual lecture series in Scotland that features the most prominent thinkers in the integrated field of religion, science and philosophy. In 1966, Nasr delivered the Rockefeller Lectures at the University of Chicago; there he traced the root issues of the environmental crisis to the spiritual crisis of modern humanity. These lectures became the basis of his book, Man and Nature: The Spiritual Crisis of Modern Man, which was used as a prime text for direction and reference in this essay. The writings of others affiliated with Nasr, namely his late teacher Frithjof Schuon and his student William C. Chittick, have as well had significant influence on this essay’s content and direction.

Journal of Ethnophilosophical Questions and Global Ethics , 2019

In the contemporary world, special attention has been given globally to environmental issues by stakeholders at different levels. This has resulted in the formation of various policies and the establishment of agents in this direction. The aim of this study is to examine the Islamic perspective on nature and environment. The methodology used in this research paper was a narrative analytical method in which references were made to the verses of Qur'an, the Hadiths and other related works on the topic to reach the research outcome after a thorough analysis. Meanwhile, after a conceptual analysis of the related terms; Quranic worldview on nature/environment and the Islamic approaches to an environmental conservation were critically analyzed based on the available data.The outcome of our research shows that Islam since its inception fourteen centuries ago had given special attention to the environmental hygiene and in the same way special attention is given to the physical hygiene. In conclusion, if the human being and the Muslims in particular could abide by the Islamic recommendations on nature and environment, the world would remain a better place to live for all and sundry. In the contemporary world, the nature or the natural environment is being affected on daily basis by the activities of man and this has resulted in the emergence of numerous sicknesses; a lower life expectancy rate and unhealthy lifestyles. At present, the common environmental challenges facing the humanity across the globe include pollution, ozone layer depletion, global warming, acid rain, desertification, deforestation, natural resource depletion, overpopulation, and waste disposal problems. Thus, the world today more than any other time in the past is in dire need of collective efforts by the stakeholders towards achieving meaningful and concrete resolutions and international policies on environmental protection. Without any doubt, several efforts have been taken by governments and some individual organizations towards the conservation and preservation of a wholesome and conducive environment. Joseph Hyder

Suraj Punj Journal For Multidisciplinary Research (ISSN NO: 2394-2886), 2018

The environment in which the man and other organisms live is called the biosphere. The biosphere is made up of different regions that have different types of flora (plants) and fauna (animals). The organisms, in addition to being dependent on the environment for their needs, are also dependent on each other. However, man tries to modify the environment to suit his needs unlike the other components of the ecosystem. This has upset the delicate balance being maintained in the environment. Every day there are stories about pollution, global warming and animal species facing extinction. Although human beings are seen as the most intelligent life form on earth, they are responsible for almost all the damage done to the planet. The problem of the environment is one of today's most serious problems. Many contemporary thinkers and scientists have stated that religion has an important role to play in overcoming these problems and in the development of comprehensive and integral environmental consciousness. The influences of religions on social activities need no introduction. Most of the religions in their holy books make references to the environment protection and its creatures. Furthermore, in all the revealed religions including Islam, human beings are considered the core of the world. In this paper we have made an attempt to discuss the importance, the religion of Islam attaches to the environmental issues, and tried to distil the Islamic imperatives, concerning environmental conservation, laid down in the Quran and expressed in the practice of Prophet of Islam (PBUH). The paper concludes with the observation that environmental protection is an important aspect of Islam. Islam is in principle for conservation and against wastage of resources.. The Islamic perspective on environment protection reflects a positive image about Islam The conservation of the environment is therefore not only a human obligation but also a religious obligation. Indeed, believers should undertake this responsibility more than anyone else.

INTELLECTUS: The African Journal of Philosophy, 2024

The environment is under a serious threat, caused by human actions and inactions. One of such things that posed a threat is the human population which is estimated to be about 7.9 billion and it is increasing on a daily basis and the way humans deal with nature. However, the need for sustainability makes it necessary for every occupant of the earth to play a role in protecting the environment. There have been several campaigns and sensitization by scientists to make people understand the threat they are posing to the environment and the need to stop, then make sure they protect their environment from more damage. Despite all campaigns, seminars and conferences organized to sensitize the people on why they need to treat nature well for their own sake and that of other creatures, the issue keeps getting worst, and people are causing more damage to the environment. Since scientific sensitization seems not to be working, this paper suggests a religious approach to solving an environmental problem and specifically looks at how to tackle the issue from an Islamic point of view. The world Muslim is with an estimated population of about 1.907 billion. If these people follow the teachings of the holy Qur'an to protect nature, then the environmental crisis the world is facing currently will be reduced drastically. The hermeneutic approach is used to reiterate the Qur'an and the Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), a prescription on the way the environment should be treated.

In the second edition of The Ethical Dimension of Human Attitude towards Nature: A Muslim Perspective, Özdemir critically assesses historical perspectives on nature from Western philosophy and science, examines relevant ethical theories, and finally discusses contemporary metaphysical bases for environmental ethics. The book offers a short, but engaging study in Islam and ecology, contributing most substantially to environmental discourse by relating work from Said Nursi.

Environmental Conservation, 2001

Over thirty years ago a debate began as to whether religion in general, or the Judaeo-Christian faith in particular, were in some sense responsible for the present environmental predicament. Islam, as a major world religion which shares the same Abrahamic roots as the Judaeo-Christian tradition, has been largely absent from this debate. Most conservationists now believe that it is essential that there be comprehensive discussion not only of environmental policies, but also of the ethics underlying environmental protection. This paper looks at the importance of the environment in the main sources of Islamic instruction, namely the Koran and Prophet's Hadiths (teachings). These texts turn out to be on the side of conservation, the emphasis being on respect for creation, the protection of the natural order and avoidance of all wasteful activities which may cause injury to the environment. These positions are contrasted with views expressed by political Islam, which has become influ...

KnE Social Sciences

Environment is one of global issues humans are facing today. The worsening condition of global environmental cannot be apart from various problems from garbage, logging, and air pollution due to industrial or transportation activities as the main factors of the environmental crisis. The basic principles of ecology are to protect, maintain, utilize and preserve the environment for the life of future generations. In the context of power, the idea of ecology and environmental sovereignty is related between God, humans and nature. The results of this study showed that Islam is very concerned with these environmental issues as proven through many discussions contained in classical fiqh literature, such as discussion of thaharah (cleanliness), ihya al-mawat (opening the unused land), al-musaqat and al-muzara’ah (utilization of land belonging to others), laws related to the sale and purchase and ownership of water, fire and salt, the rights of pets and other issues related to the environme...

İslamic Ecological Thelogy

Journal of Borneo-Kalimantan

This book is an introduction to Islam’s legacy of ecological and environmental wisdom prescribed in the Qur’an and in the history of Islamic science and technology. The author attempted to expound the title in question two-pronged: by addressing the spiritual dimension of the environmental wisdom and its scientific-economic counterpart. His main argument centres on highlighting a spiritual vision of nature – in this case, Islamic – that should be embodied and accounted within discussions about ecology and environment based on dialogue. The book is an ideological expansion of Seyyed Hossein Nasr’s seminal work, Man and Nature: The Spiritual Crisis in Modern Man (2007). Specifically, the author emphasizes that the Earth is human beings’ only planetary home and highlights the Quranic take on the proposition. In this revised second addition, it updates the importance of intensifying interfaith dialogues particularly with regards to addressing contemporary environmental issues (i.e clima...

2013

The field of the environmental issues has gained less concern amongs Muslim scholar. This article is an attempt to shed lights on this matter through selected Muslim scholars and philosophers. Sayyid Hussein Nasr is chosen here as the main thinker on the issue of the environment studies amongst our contemporary Muslim thinkers. By adopting an analytical method; this article found that the environmental concern is deep-rooted in Islam: Its creeds, practices and world-view. The concept of Tawhid (Unity of Allah), the relation of humanto the Creator, the Sufi concept of Wahadat al Wujud, etc… all these support the argument that natural environment and its conservation is a core concern of Islam. However, the contemporary Muslim scholars have attempted to address this issues from various perspestives. Some have even achieved significant contribution in this matter surpassing that of the Western environmental scholarly activities. Further researches are needed in order to bring up these various Muslim contributions in a systematic view in the environmental studies.