Environmental Rights: 3 Important Lessons From the Quran

Salam o Alaikum!

We’re taught about the rights of our parents, neighbors, and other relative figures from a young age. However, while that’s undoubtedly important to us as Muslims, we must also not forget our duty and role in satisfying the ‘environmental’ rights.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says in the Qur’an:

“The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know.” 

– (Surah Ghafir: 57)

Here are 3 crucial lessons the Qur’an teaches us concerning our environment:

1- Everything Is Created In Balance

Each part of creation is dependent on another part of creation. When we harm one of its elements, we harm the entire system.

“And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance. That you not transgress within the balance.” 

– (Surah Ar-Rahman: 7-8)

2- The Environment Is the Man’s Responsibility

While life is a blessing for us, we should not think of it as a one-way relationship where we keep taking from the environment without returning anything. It is our responsibility to protect the environment as much as it protects us.

“Indeed, We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it.” 

– (Surah Al-Ahzab: 72)

3- Resources Should Never Be Wasted

Lastly, Islam encourages that we treat all natural resources as limited. While we should benefit from them the best we can, the resources are to be used as per our ‘needs’ and not wasted neglectfully.

Behaving otherwise not only impacts the environment but also our quality of life in the long run.

“. And be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.” 

– (Surah Al-An’am: 141)

So, let’s make a pact to keep protecting the environment with our thoughtful actions and constant efforts!