Hazara Islamicus (Dec 2015)
Civilized Behavior in the Universe: An Islamic Approach
Abstract
Ecological balance is one of the important features of the universe, which means to keep the elements of environment and nature a s God has created them, without any change caused by the human beings. Prerequisites for this balance include a kindness in dealing with nature, preservation of its systems and resources, and abstinence from any damages to it. Similarly, ecological balance also requires preservation of flora and fauna on earth, in right proportion. According to the Islamic worldview Allah the Almighty has created everything in this universe in a perfect form (al-Nand: 88), and in well balance. "As for the earth, We have stretched it out and placed on it finn mountains, and We have caused to grow in it everything well-balanced (al-llijr: 19). However, the careless and wrong human interference in nature threatens this balance. Because in cosmos there exists an intricate relationship between various components of environment and nature, and damage to even a single component can disrupts the whole balance. According to the (Wan, "Calamities have appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of the people have earned" (al-Rome: 41). So, Islam inculcates in its follower a civilized behavior towards nature to achieves the ecological balance and make sure continuation of life. Since all disorder in environment occurs at the hands of human beings they have been ordered by Allah the Almighty to refrain front causing any disorder in the following words: "do not go about the earth spreading disorder" (al-Kral : 74). This paper highlights the teachings of Islam, in the light of the Qur'an and Sunnah, regarding human responsibilities towards nature. The papa demonstrates that the Islamic worldview gives due importance to the ecological balance, and the Islamic ethos guarantees preservation and continuation of this balance. Islam teaches love of the objects of nature as it teaches love of humanity. Thus, once the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, said about the mountain 'Llord: "This mountain loves us and we love it, too.:
