The Dawn / Al-Fajr (July 2003) —
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Al-Fajr Nr. 8 - July 2003 Earth Day 2003 TOWARDS AN ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT TTTHE EPISTEMOLOGICAL “This day have I perfected for to you His favors complete out- FRAMEWORK you your religion and completed wardly and inwardly?” (31:20) My favor to you and chosen for “He has made subservient to you Islam is considered a comprehen- you Islam as a religion.” (Qur’an, the night and the day and the sive way of life whose teachings 5:3) cover, directly or indirectly, every sun and the moon. And the stars possible human relationship It is no wonder, in the light of what are made subservient by His including that with the environ- has been discussed above, that a command. Surely there are signs ment. These teachings are jurisprudence of the environment is in this for a people who under- primarily available in the revealed founded. All aspects of the environ- stand.” (16:12) ment, discussed in this paper, are knowledge which comprises the In his capacity as a vicegerent, the presented from within the Islamic Qur’an and the Sunnah. There re- human being is perceived as the world-view and not as something mains two other sources, namely trustee of the earth. He is not sup- alien to it. the Ijma` and Qiyas; they are de- posed to cause corruption in any pendent on the first two in different VVVICEGERENCY (KHILAFAH) form on earth (i.e. the environment). ways and degrees. The relation- Life on earth entails great responsi- ship is so complex that it cannot be The human being, in the Islamic bilities. It is a test with accountabil- represented in this paper for world-view, is considered a vicege- ity. It is followed by either reward or brevity. It is discussed, however, in rent (khalifah): punishment. These meanings are various Islamic literature, for exam- “And when thy Lord said to the mentioned in the Qur’an and the ple The Religion of Islam (maulana angels, ‘I am going to place a Sunnah. Vicegerency as a test is Muhammad ‘Ali). ruler in the earth,’ they said: found in the following verse: In what follows, some of the verses ‘Wilt Thou place in it such as that define the epistemological “And He it is Who has made you make mischief in it and shed parameters of the Qur’an are con- successors in the land and ex- blood? And we celebrate Thy sidered. One verse, at the begin- alted some of you in rank above praise and extol Thy holiness.’ ning of Surat al-Baqarah, presents others, that He may try you by He said: ‘Surely I know what the Qur’an as a book of guidance: what He has given you. Surely you know not.’” (Qur’an, 2:30) thy Lord is Quick in requiting “This Book, there is no doubt in The earth is made available for hu- (evil), and He is surely the For- it, is a guide to those who keep man use, without abuse or misuse. giving, the Merciful.” (6:165) their duty.” (2:2) There are numerous verses in the On the other hand, this vicegerency Moreover, Allah shows that the Qur’an that could be cited in this is subjected to observation: Qur’an encompasses the founda- respect, but it suffices to mention tions for knowledge and ethics: three of them: “We made you rulers in the land after them, so that We might see “We have not neglected any- “And He has made subservient how you act.” (Qur’an, 10:14) thing in the Book” (6:38) to you whatsoever is in the heavens and in the earth, all, It is rather clear, now, that the Is- In addition, the Qur’an announces from Himself. Surely there are lamic world-view indicates that vice- that Islam, as a religion, has been signs in this for a people who gerency on earth forms a test which perfected by Allah. It is considered reflect.” (45:13) includes how human beings relate to a comprehensive way of life which the environment. Is it going to be accommodates every aspect of it. “See you not that Allah has based upon divine instructions, or The Islamic world-view is estab- made subservient to you what- upon personal desires and conjec- lished upon the very notion of ever is in the heavens and what- tures that might lead to the destruc- Islam as a perfect religion: ever is in the earth, and granted tion of our environment? Annual Prayer Congregation (p. 8) - Labour Day (p. 11) - Urdu, a cultural heritage of India (p. 11) Institute for Islamic Studies and Publications The Dawn, page 1 www.aaiil.org The declaration of the institution of To serve God or to worship Him khilafah, which Allah has informed is a comprehensive way that EDITORIAL the angels about, was reinforced covers every aspect of life. Ful- by the verse that shows that Allah filling all that God has de- The Dawn is the English equivalent of has taught Adam the names of all manded from us in terms of the Dutch De Dageraad, which is pub- things (2:31). This leads us to praying, fasting, zakah and hajj lished monthly in Suriname. Although, realize that there is an organic con- indicates worshipping. The nection between proper knowledge same could be said regarding nowadays, there are many magazines and right behavior. Indeed, any action that the human being being published in English, the edito- knowledge becomes a tool that performs in accordance with the rial team still decided to publish an renders humanity morally responsi- Islamic world-view, as long as it English version of De Dageraad with ble. Therefore, vicegerency is is done for the sake of God. the aim of presenting issues, which are based upon knowledge that Every act, as long as it is good being discussed in Suriname, to the enables the human being to be a and done for the sake of Allah, world. This English edition is care taker of the environment in is considered an act of worship- which he dwells. Humanity should ping that generates reward in published about twice a year. behave in such a way that would this life and the Hereafter. This For more Islamic articles in English, maintain the balance that exists is the ‘via media’ between two we recommend to the reader, in addi- within the environment. extremes; total disregard for the tion to The Dawn, magazines such as environment, and worshipping it That the cosmic order and natural The Message and The Call (Trinidad), as the case of nature worship- phenomena, however, will come to The Light (USA) and Noor-I-Islam pers. an end, is reflected in this verse: (Canada), among others. Articles The fact that protection of the “He made the sun and the published in these magazines are also environment is considered an moon subservient (to you). published in our Dutch edition for the act of worshipping does not Each one runs to an appointed readers in Suriname and Holland. mean that every component of term. He regulates the affair, the environment should be making clear the messages that saved. In fact, it can be some- We wish all of you much reading you may be certain of the times to the contrary. The pleasure. meeting with your Lord.” (13:2) Prophet stated that a person There are other verses that point to who uprooted a tree [which the temporal nature of the sub- formed an obstacle] in the path jected elements. The reason of people, ended up in heavens. “Do you then feel secure that behind highlighting the temporality The Islamic position forms a middle He will not bring you low on a of things is to remind people of the path between human behavior that tract of land, or send on you a Hereafter. It is hoped that once has disregard to the environment and violent wind? Then you will people are conscientious of the those who practically worship the envi- not find a protector for your- limitation of life on earth, they will ronment or certain parts of it. While selves. Or, do you feel secure behave in a positive and construc- the Islamic view supports the protec- that He will not take you back tive way. The end result will be a tion of environment from the greedy into it another time, then send human psyche that is constantly behavior of human beings, it allows on you a fierce gale and thus reminded of the Hereafter. room for sustainable development. overwhelm you for your un- TAKING CARE OF THE THE IMPACT OF FAITH gratefulness? Then you will ENVIRONMENT AS AN ACT OF ON THE ENVIRONMENT not find any aider against Us FAITH in the matter.” (Qur’an, 17:68- The Qur’an shows that there is a cor- 69; see also 13:13, 16:112, The basic role of the human being relation between the behavior of 18:42, 20:124) on earth is to worship Allah: people and the conditions of the envi- ronment. The right and moral behavior The end result of disbelief or im- “And I have not created the jinn yield positive results: moral acts, when they become and the men except that they prevalent, is the total destruction should serve Me.” ( 51:56) “And if the people of the towns had of the environment. Such is the believed and kept their duty, We story of Prophet Noah and the would certainly have opened Editors: Riaz Ahmadali, Reza Ghafoerkhan, Flood which destroyed every Drs.