Environmental Protection in Islam

http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/307/viewall/

 

 

QURAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Pollution is one form of corruption ("fasal" in Arabic) mentioned in the Glorious Quran eight times. Counting the derivations of the word "fasal" mentioned elsewhere in the Quran raises the number to 49. "Fasal" involves physical corruption like disrupting the environmental phenomena and the contents of the universe (water, soil, food) by foolish human interference in the natural balance created by Allah the Almighty, Who did so wisely, perfectly and infallibly to fit the life of all creatures.

Water pollution in general means polluting water streams, wells, rivers, seas, rain and underground water in such a way that makes it unfit for man, animals, plants, or the sea and ocean creatures. Air pollution involves the discharge of gases, smoke and fumes (the solid, liquid and gaseous forms of matter) into the air surrounding living creatures, and the change of its natural composition. This leads ultimately to the unsuitability of the habitat, contrary to what Allah willed for His creatures. Physiological, economic and biological damages are, in fact, devastating to man, animals, plants and other creatures. 

The corrupters of the earth, whether those who deny God, practice injustice or go against the universal laws, are referred to by the following Quranic verses.

"There is the type of man whose speech about this world's life may dazzle thee, and he calls The God (Allah) to witness about what is in his heart: yet is he the most contentious of enemies? When he turns his back, his aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and cattle. But Allah loves not mischief" (Al-Baqarah: verses 204 and 205)

An incidence occurred prior to these verses being revealed. A man named Al-Akhnas Ibn Shuriq came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to embrace Islam, but as he turned to leave, he happened to pass by a pasture and grazing animals. He set it alight and killed the cattle. The verses were sent down as a sign of Divine disapproval.

This incident recurs over history on a wider scale involving millions of people throughout the earth. The natural wealth deposited by Allah for the benefit of mankind has been spoiled. Selfishness and aggression has overcome mankind, as they have become corrupters of earth, the surrounding atmosphere and neighboring outer space.

Source of article:; http://www.theecomuslim.com/2012/05/10-green-hadith-muhammad.html

1) A believer is like a growing tree

"The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind quietens down, the plant becomes straight again..." narrated by Abu Hurayra, Bukhari

Prophet Muhammad was teaching new Muslims that their life on the path of faith must always progress and beware of climatic changes, just like a young tree. There will be tough times when the storm seems to never end. But patience and persistence in planting roots no matter what the trouble, will heal both one's own branches and protect the nearest plants.


2) Plant a tree even if it's your last deed

“If the Hour (the day of Resurrection) is about to be established and one of you was holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before the Hour is established to plant it." - Al-Albani.

3) Planting trees is a renewable source of reward

"If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (sadaqah) for him." - Imam Bukhari.

4) Conserve resources even when used for routine rituals
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, happened to pass by a Companion, Sa’d, as he was performing ablution (wudhu) next to a river. At this, the Prophet said, "Sa’d what is this squandering?"
Sa’d replied: "Can there be an idea of squandering (israf) in ablution?"
The Prophet said: "Yes, even if you are by the side of a flowing river.” - Ibn Majah.


5) Keeping the environment sanitary maintains the community

"Beware of the three acts that cause you to be cursed: [1] relieving yourselves in shaded places (that people utilise), in a walkway or in a watering place." - Narrated by Mu`adh, hasan, by Al-Albani

Hygiene and cleanliness (tahara) is so integral to Islam that it is actually a major sub-branch of Muslim belief. Without physical hygiene, prayers are broken. Without clean facilities pollution ruins cities, and without any effort to improve one's own purity, it becomes more difficult to prevent external corruptions like littering.


6) Thus, Prophet Muhammad said about street clean-ups,

"Removing harmful things from the road is an act of charity (sadaqah)." Narrated by Abu Dharr Al-Ghafari.

7) Say no to over-consumption (or at least reduce it)

Abdullah ibn `Abbas reported that the Prophet said, "The believer is not he who eats his fill while his neighbor is hungry." Authenticated by Al-Albani

8) Eat a little less every day
Excessive eating is abhorred in Islam. For the days of Ramadan, fasting is precisely a command in order to learn control and when to say 'no'. Prophet Muhammad did not encourage eating a three course meal nor a heavy meal. Every meal should be shared between two and choosing between take-outs and home-cooked, a healthier diet is always the better option (less meat, more greens). In the Islamic law system (Shariah), a person should stop eating as soon as the hunger pangs cease.

“Nothing is worse than a person who fills his stomach. It should be enough for the son of Adam to have a few bites to satisfy his hunger. If he wishes more, it should be: One-third for his food, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.

9) Consider recycling and fixing before buying new items
When asked about how the Prophet used to live in his house, the Prophet's wife, `A'ishah, said that he used to repair his own shoes, sew his clothes and carry out all such household chores done without complaint or want for more. (Authenticated by Al-Albani).

The idea behind this was to show Muslims that menial tasks (mehna) were not degrading for God's Prophet. Reusing and repairing things instead of always buying new is not a sign of poverty, they are a sign of power. By performing household duties, the Prophet was saying we can build foundations on less 'stuff', we are in control of what we consume and we don't need more.

10) Animals should be cared for:

"A man felt very thirsty while he was on the way, there he came across a well. He went down the well, quenched his thirst and came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. He said to himself, "This dog is suffering from thirst as I did." So, he went down the well again, filled his shoe with water, held it with his mouth and watered the dog. Allah appreciated him for that deed and forgave him." The Companions said, "O Allah's Messenger! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He replied: "There is a reward for serving any living being." 
- Imam Bukhari.

The Prophet provided for animals, as did Abu Huraira who narrated this hadith. Abu Hurayra's name translates as the 'father of kittens', named so because he was known to carry kittens in the draped sleeves of his robe.

Animals have a huge role in the ecological welfare system. The tenets of the Shariah law towards animals rights make it obligatory for any individual to take care of crippled animals, to rescue strays and to guard a bird's nest of eggs.

Hopefully this will inspire everyone reading to follow through on the Eco-Sunnah. Adopt an animal, reuse your wudhu water, eat much less. Be a leader.

Peace + eco-jihad. Zaufishan, The Eco Muslim

How ENVO was born

ENVO IS MY BRAND & WAS BORN ON 1994. THE FOLLOWING IS THE STORY OF ENVO.

My career began with my respected Uncle  Prof Dr. A.F.S.A.Aowal, I learned the ABCD of  waste water treatment from him. I was working under him as part time lecturer at Delhi college of engineering, Kashmere Gate,Delhi .

Also, I was working as design engineer in National Associates, Delhi. I was staying in 27,Hayat manzil, Basti hazrat nizamuddin, delhi at that time.

ONE FINE MORNING IN 1994, I FOUND MYSELF ALL ALONE. EVERYONE WORKING WITH ME AT NATIONAL ASSOCIATE DESERTED ME WHOLESALE. 

That first kick stunned me for three days and I sat at banglawali masjid (Headquarter of Tabligh Jamaat) at basti Hzt nizamuddin for three days to find out my own roots. A few like my Father  Syed Ishtiaque Ahmad saheb,  Prof Dr. Rashid Hayat Siddiqui saheb of AMU, Dr Chandra Prakash Ji , Vipan Kundra Ji etc gave me "MORAL" support. And M/s Syed Envo Protect (India) Pvt Limited, New Delhi was finally born in 1994....the ENVO brand was born in 1994. Mr.Vipan Kundra, my CA was one of the share holders.It is Vipan kundra ji who gave and registered the name Syed Envo Protect (India) Pvt Limited even without consulting me,because I  was in Assam at that time. He told me that one day I will become international ,thats why he added india to the name. 

 Later I opened one another company by the name of Envo Projects, New Delhi which is still continuing by the grace of God when the private limited company was dissolved due to various reasons.

I received my first career break of my company Syed ENVO PROTECT (I) PVT LTD , a  consultancy at rupees five thousand only at M/s Shade and colors in okhla industrial area phase –I of owner Mr.Deepu Marwah. It’s a cloth dyeing factory.

I left my part time lectureship job in Delhi college of engineering, kashmere gate, delhi  just to concentrate on my own company ENVO. Each and  Everyone called me "lunatic" at that time as nobody was doing full time consultancy in water and waste water treatment in 1994, almost everyone had a govt job. Only gupta ji of Ghaziabad and a few are in the market as full timers. So i jumped  at a completely unknown thing with full confidence in GOD AND MYSELF.At that point of time nobody imagined that this pollution control sector will grow such like this. I created a tag line for my company “THE POLLUTION CONTROL PEOPLE” which i still use in my letterhead.

Many companies are created later on with my credentials and full support by the grace of God. Now i have taken it for granted. I mean, its natural to have a new team after each two three years.So i never try to stop people,anyway they will go , so let them go and try their own luck, good for them, good for me also..But this time as a safety device  i have retained my own company "Envo Projects" under my sole control (Owner) so that i can fall back. People always learn from mistakes. Life is the best teacher.

AND NOW TODAY(09/10/2011), FROM MY HEART I  THANK ALL MY CO WORKERS WHO ARE WITH ME NOW AND WHO LEFT, WITHOUT THEIR BLOOD AND SWEAT ENVO PROJECTS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WHAT IT IS TODAY.BECAUSE ITS MY LEARNING CURVE TOO. I ALSO MADE MANY MISTAKES DURING THE GROWTH AND LEARNED FROM IT.

Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection and CONTROL in everything in life. I understood that my livelihood (RIZQ)  cant be  taken away by  anyone.  Put your  best  efforts in what you do and than leave the result to ALLAH. I have plan but Allahs plan is much much better than mine. I have firm belief in ALLAH.  

 

During this journey many people came and left me. I thank all of them for their contribution for my growth. They are destined to be with me for that particular period. This is Allah’s plan.

 

Always sleep with a clean heart. I know many of us get wronged throughout the day or have gotten wronged in the past. Forgive. Not only forgive, but forgive and forget. Dont even hold a grudge against that person in your heart. Keep your heart completely pure.Forgive brothers and sisters before you sleep each night. this is one of the practices of the greatest people ever to live and this is how we will reach those highest levels of spirituality.

 

Forgiveness is good for your own well being, its about giving yourself permission to let go of the painful past. Forgiveness is not something we do for that particular toxic person,it is something we do for ourselves so we can move on to a better future.We forgive,not because that toxic person deserves it,but because we deserve peace, for a pure heart.

MY STRUGGLE STORY PUBLISHED IN YOURSTORY.COM

https://yourstory.com/2009/07/saleem-asraf-syed-imdaadullah-founder-syed-envo-protect-i-pvt-ltd/

Also read please same story in my blog

https://saleemindia.blogspot.com/2016/09/saleem-asraf-syed-imdaadullah-founder.html