Islam and the Natural Environment

In the Islamic tradition, the natural world provides ayat (“signs,” i.e., proof) of God. The Qur’an repeatedly indicates that signs of God are discernible in the natural world (e.g., 13:3, 30:24,16:11,16:13).

Creation of the heavens and the earth, alternation of night and day, and sailing of ships across the ocean with what is useful to man, and the rain that God sends from the sky enlivening the earth that was dead, and the scattering of beasts of all kinds upon it, and the changing of the winds, and the clouds which remain obedient between earth and sky, are surely signs for the wise ( 2:164)

The Qur’an asserts humanity’s stewardship of the Earth, as in the following: “It is He who made you trustees on the earth” (6:165). The Qur’an also frequently instructs humanity not to abuse or corrupt the earth: “So, O my people, weigh and measure with justness, and do not withhold things due to men, and do not spread corruption in the land, despoiling it” (11:85; also 2:205; 7:74), and not to live in extravagance (7:31). Other verses emphasize the importance of balance in the natural world, such as the following:

The sun and moon revolve to a computation;

And the grasses and the trees bow (to Him) in adoration. He raised the sky and set the Balance So that none may err against the scales

And observe correct measure, weigh with justice, and not cheat the balance (55:5- 10)

It is not difficult to see how modern environmental awareness and activism among Muslims have deep roots in the Qur’an. In the contemporary period, numerous thinkers have emphasized the importance of protecting the environment as a part of both a Muslim’s religious obligation and the obligation to seek justice in the world. In the 1960s, the influential philosopher Seyyed Hossein Nasr led this movement with his arguments that the West lacked respect for the natural world, and he called for a reconsideration of humanity’s relationship to nature in light of the teachings of Islam and other religious traditions.

Muslim-majority states have also taken steps to work toward environmental change from a religious basis in the twenty-first century. In Indonesia, numerous Islamic nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have utilized the Qur’an and hadith as the basis for environmental activism in encouraging reforestation, recycling, and limiting waste. In 2014, the Indonesian Uleme Council (MUI) issued a fatwa prohibiting the poaching of endangered species. In 2018, the country’s largest Islamic NGOs, Muhammadiyah and Nadhlatul Ulama, collaborated with the MUI, Greenpeace, and the Indonesian government to discourage plastic waste. One of their projects aimed to curb the use of single-use plastics during Ramadan festivities by enlisting local imams to preach this message in their communities. In Zanzibar, an island state of Tanzania, NGOs have recently collaborated with local Islamic leaders to discourage fishermen from fishing with explosives; imams have pointed out that this is impermissible from an Islamic perspective because the Qur’an enjoins believers not to waste natural resources.

In the West, numerous Islamic organizations are also encouraging environmental protection. The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES) is a nonprofit organization based in the United Kingdom that encourages Muslims to “live up to their responsibilities as guardians of Allah’s creation.”— The Canadian organization Khaleafa (from the Arabic term khalifa, “guardian or steward”) is dedicated to “raising awareness of environmental issues through and Islamic lens” ( www.khaleafa.com). In partnership with other NGOs, Khaleafa aims to educate Canadian Muslims about living green in Islamic fashion; for example, the NGO has published guidelines for a more environmentally friendly way to observe Ramadan.

Self-Assessment 13.3

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Islam in the Twenty-First Century

Islam is one of the largest and fastest growing religions. Today, there are about 1.9 billion Muslims living all over the world. About 85-90 percent of Muslims are Sunni, 10 percent are Shi’a, and the rest belong to a variety of smaller sects. The largest Muslim populations are found in Asia—about 62 percent of the world’s Muslims live in Indonesia, Pakistan, India, or Bangladesh—and the Middle East and North Africa (about 20 percent).-According to Pew Research, “Muslims make up a majority of the population in 49 countries around the world.”² In the United States, by contrast, Muslims represent only about 1 percent of the population. In Western Europe, the numbers are higher. Muslims make up 6 percent of the population in United Kingdom and 9 percent in France. Demographers project that “10% of all Europeans will be Muslims by 2050.”- The global Muslim community is growing for a variety of reasons, including demographics—Muslims typically have more children than other religious communities- —and conversions. One of the most marked characteristics of the Muslim world today— its regional, ethnic, and political diversity—is likely to increase in the twenty-first century.

Muslims everywhere are responding to a rapidly changing world and increased globalization. Today, Muslims face questions about the role of religion in private and public life and relationships with other religious communities in plural environments. How will Muslims address these issues in years to come? One matter that has received much attention in the press lately is that of Islamic dress in Western Europe. In France in 2004, schoolgirls were prohibited from wearing headscarves because officials argued it violated France’s commitment to secularism. Many Muslims thought this was a violation of their freedom to practice religion.

¹ https://www.pewesearch.org/fact-tank/2017/08/0Q/muslims-and-islam-kev-findings-in-tl1e-u-s-and-ar0und- the-world/

- https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2o17/o1/31/worlds-muslim-population-more-widespread-than-vou- might-think/

³ https://www.pewresearch.0rg/fact-tank/2017/08/0Q/muslims-and-islam-key-findings-in-the-u-s-and-ar0und- the-world/

-⁴ https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2o17/o4/o6/whv-muslims-are-fhe-worlds-fastest-growing-religious- groupZ

In this chapter, you have learned about the historical development, beliefs, and practices of Islam and Muslims. The essential teachings of Islam are contained in the Qur’an and the sunna of the Prophet Muhammad; they focus on the oneness of God and the reality of prophecy. The essential practices of Islam are known as the five pillars. As we have learned, Muslims recognize Muhammad as the last prophet in the long line of prophecy. Muhammad received the essential message of the Qur’an, which Muslims believe is the literal word of God, through revelation.

We have also learned that Islam is a truly global religion, and both historically and today, there is variation in how Muslims interpret the sacred sources and practices of Islam. Without a doubt, Islam has been an astonishingly influential global force, giving rise to great civilizations, and scientific, philosophical, and artistic developments that have shaped the world. Although it is difficult to predict what the future will bring, it is clear that Islam will continue to grow and will certainly remain a dynamic and diverse religious tradition.

SEEKING ANSWERS

What Is Ultimate Reality?

Muslims believe that God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, the world, and all that is in it. Muslims believe that elements of the beautiful natural world are signs of God. Humans can learn something about ultimate reality through God’s revelations, which are communicated to humanity through prophets. The Qur’an is the source of God’s teachings about the nature of ultimate reality and the nature of the world.

How Should We Live in This World?

Muslims believe that human beings are part of God’s creation. The Islamic tradition offers many guidelines concerning the right way for human beings to live. People should worship God, be generous to the needy, and live righteously. The life of the Prophet Muhammad, especially as related in the sunna, serves as an example for Muslims of how to live. The five pillars of Muslim worship practice are the foundation for how Muslims live their faith.

What Is Our Ultimate Purpose?

Muslims believe in an afterlife and a Day of Judgment, when all humans will be judged on their actions and deeds in this life. Those who have lived righteously will enter paradise, and those who have led sinful lives will be cast into the fire. Some Muslims think that human beings have free choice and must choose to submit to the will of God.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

For Review

1. What are the essential principles of belief in the Islamic religion?

2. What are the key religious practices in Islam? How do beliefs relate to religious practice and expression?

3. What are the most important sources of spirituality for Muslims?

4. What is a prophet in the Islamic tradition? What role does Muhammad play in Islam and in the life of Muslims today? How do Muslims know about the life of Muhammad, and how does he differ from other prophets?

5. What is Sufism, and how is it rooted in the Islamic tradition?

For Further Reflection

1. How do the teachings of Islam inform religious practice? How might the daily life of Muslims reflect their commitment to Islamic ideals? How do Islamic teachings about God compare with those of other monotheistic traditions?

2. What important challenges do Muslims face in the modern world? Why do you think Islam has been so stereotyped in North America and the West?

3. How have Muslims tackled issues of social and environmental justice from a religious perspective in the modern period?

Chapter 13 Self-Quiz

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Chapter 13 Flashcards

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SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING

Denny, Frederick M. An Introduction to Islam. 4th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011. A thorough introduction to Islam aimed at college students.

Ernst, Carl W. Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2003. A readable introduction to Islam for the general public, focusing on Islam in the modern world.

Renard, John, ed. Windows on the House of Islam. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. A collection of primary source materials from early Islamic history until the present; includes poetry, essays, philosophical writings, and more.

Safi, Omid. Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters. New York: HarperOne, 2009. A biographical account of the Prophet Muhammad from his lifetime to the present day; includes his significance to Muslims today and throughout history.

Schimmel, Annemarie. Mystical Dimension of Islam. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1975. A classic and comprehensive overview of Sufism.

Sells, Michael. Approaching the Qur’an: The Early Revelations. Ashland, OR: White Cloud Press, 2002. Translation and explanation of the earliest suras of the Qur’an.

Wadud, Amina Qur’an and Women: Re-reading the Sacred Text from a Woman’s Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Click here for more suggested readings, weblinks, and other media for this chapter.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Oxford Islamic Studies Online

www.oxfordislamicstudies.com

A comprehensive source with contributions from top scholars on all topics related to Islam.

Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement

http://cmje.usc.edu/

Useful site from the University of Southern California with databases for searching English translations of the Qur’an and hadith collections.

Click here for web links to sacred texts.

LIST OF KEY TERMS

Abbasids adhan ‘A’isha 2AU

Allah ‘Ashura caliphs Fatima hadith

Hajj hijra Husayn imam Islam jahiliyya jihad Khadija Mecca Medina mirai mosque muezzin Muhammad Qur’an Ramadan

Salat

Sawm

Shahada

shari’a

Shi‘a

shirk

Sufi

sunna

Sunni

sura

tafsir

Umayyad Dynasty

umma

Zakat