Considering Islamic Environmental Ethics

These days, the environmental crises endanger human being and other living organisms. Available evidence indicates that technical solutions have not been resulting in satisfactory outcomes. Therefore, answering the question of "how should human behave toward the natural environment" is remained most important. Among theoretical considerations, environmental ethics is getting more attention to find a proper solution for extensive environmental degradation. Since environmental ethics is essentially based on intrinsic value and beliefs, religions have been getting more recognized to define proper environmental ethics mainly because they try to illuminate what possessed intrinsic value and also what is the criterion for evaluating a behavior toward nature as moral one? This article, after discussing basic concepts of environmental ethics and also a short overview of environmental ethics approaches, presents an Islamic perspective of environmental ethics. It concludes when environmental ethics is based on an Islamic theocentrism and theology, it is possible to have more comprehensive and holistic approach toward conservation of the natural environment.

Intellectual Discourse, 2024

This research paper explores Islamic Environmental Ethics (IEE), emphasising collective human responsibilities to manage environmental resources and protect the universe from functional degradation. It provides an overview of Islam and modern environmental discourse, aiming to offer a holistic perspective on IEE that encompasses Islamic faith, Islamic religious law, and Islamic ethics. The study is significant as it provides a moral framework and responsibility for humans to avert the existential threat to our planet. Focusing on a comprehensive methodological approach, it addresses the adoption of IEE in the Muslim world and beyond. Utilising an integrative literature review methodology, the paper synthesises diverse theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and sociocultural and political developments. This approach creates a cohesive body of knowledge that is theoretically robust, incorporating intersectional analyses of social, economic, and cultural factors within Muslim communities. The article concludes with three suggestions: capacity building, good governance, and collaboration.

Allah created all things with precise measurements. These divine measures guarantee the survival and sustainability of natural resources. This paper discusses some of the environmental aspects in the view of Islam and makes a comparison between the Islamic thought and some scientific theories. Results show that whereas Western theories emphasise environmental protection as a response to external forces and the achievement of special interests, Islam considers environmental protection as the only way of maintaining the balance of life.

Man In India, 2016

Religion not only dictates the relationship between humans and their God, but it provides solutions to human problems. This is related to a thesis stating that theological practice must be practiced or proven in real life. In terms of concept, theology is universal and total, involving all aspects of life. The idea of repentance is correlated to the practical action of the idea towards fellow humans and their surrounding nature. Therefore, religious theology should cover more than faith in God, but also a realistic role in the social dimension and a form of wisdom related to the surrounding environment. This can be understood as "earth theology". Monotheistic religions have been criticised for their tendency to be less friendly to nature. One interpretation of religion that sees humans more superior to nature is the basic issue of current ecological problems. It should not come as a surprise when the result of such interpretation is the ethics of exploitation and not protection. Furthermore, this essay will inspect the real role of religions in facing socio-ecological problems caused by misguided theological practices. Regardless, religious perspective of a society affects the attitudes and behaviours towards nature and environment.

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.

2021

Access the recording here. Access the audio transcript here. What can religion offer for resolving the environmental crisis? How can we recover a sacred view of the universe? What resources can the Islamic and Christian traditions offer in response to the environmental crisis? This lecture examines the spiritual and intellectual origins of the environmental crisis, rooted in the desacralization of nature in the modern period. It surveys traditional Islamic and Christian views of nature and offer resources, from the Christian heritage and Islamic understandings of the relationship of God, humanity, and nature, that can address our contemporary environmental crisis and help recover a sacred view of the universe. Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr is University Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University, Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr is regarded as one of the leading Islamic thinkers in the world today. A pioneer in addressing the roots of the environmental crisis from a theological p...

2014

The Environmental Ethics (EE) refers to the justice of human beings with non-human beings as well as rule to Development of the Natural Environment (DNE). In fact, safety of the environment is a big challenge of the 21st century for environmentalists. Indeed, not only the natural ecologists responsible for save of environment, but also everybody can contribute through follow the EE. The main objectives of this study obtain knowledge about the Creator and creatures. Then show the relationship among the Creator, creatures and humans. Consequently, we will be more motivate for environmental issues, this motivation lead us to be more sensible about the EE, then through apply the EE in our daily life environment will be improve. However, this study focuses on the Qur‟anic statement on the EE. As a result, the study found that the Almighty Allah SWT creates the universe strangely perfect by His will based on the judgment. Everything is playing their important role in the chain of ecosyste...

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...

Religion has, throughout the centuries, been a powerful institution on the macro level, yet also stands as a force having significant influence in people’s personal lives. This does, however, lead to questions of how a traditional institution such as religion may or may not be adequate to address problems of the Late Industrial Era, most notably the environmental crisis. In this paper, we inquire how various dimensions of Islamic literature and thought can contribute to preserving the natural environment. We find that concepts such as “dominion of men over the earth” and “specialness of humankind” can lead to anti-environmental interpretations of Islam. Nevertheless, other interpretations of Islamic teachings emerge that are compatible with environmental stewardship. However, a number of Islamic governments have shown a decided bias against environmental stewardship, particularly in cases where there is an authoritarian government and one placing an emphasis on economic “development”. In counterpoint, Islamic Mysticism, or Sufism, can provide a spiritual context for environmentally conscious action.