Global Climate Change An Islamic perspective Mahmoud Haddara Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador February 23, 2010

Environment and Behavior The Smell of Virtue - Clean Scents Promote Reciprocity and Charity People are unconsciously fairer and more generous when they are in clean-smelling environments. Katie Liljenquist1, Chen-Bo Zhong2 and Adam D. Galinsky3

Introduction What is a system? Is there an Islamic environmental system? Fundamental principles Jurisprudence Enforcement a procedure or process for obtaining an objective

Fundamental Principles Natural Balance Vice regency Trust Moderation Other Creatures

Natural Balance “Verily, We have created all things in due measure.” [54:49] “And We have spread the earth out wide, set upon it firm and immovable mountains; and produced upon it all kinds of things in balance, And We provided there means of subsistence for you and for those whose provision does not depend on you. And there is not a thing but its storehouses are with Us; but We only send it down in appropriate measures.” [15:19-21]

Vicegerency “Behold! Your Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a vicegerent on earth.’ They said: ‘Will You place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?-- while we do celebrate Your praise and glorify Your holy (name)?’ He said: ‘I know what you know not.’“ [2:30] “And He taught Adam all the names (of things); then He placed them before the angels, and said: ‘Tell me the names of these if you are right.’“ [2:31] Man is not free to do what he wants. He is a vice-regent who manages the affairs according to the rule of God Man was honored by this status Man was given the capability to deal with this responsibility Man is held accountable

Vicegerency “We said: ‘Adam! dwell you and your wife in the garden; and eat of the bountiful things therein as you will; but approach not this tree, or you will both become wrongdoers.’“ [2:35] “Then Adam received from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord accepted his repentance for He is Ever Relenting, Most Merciful.” [2:37]

Vicegerency “We said: ‘Get out all of you, but when guidance comes from Me, as it certainly will, there will be no fear for those who follow My guidance, nor shall they grieve.’” [2:38]

Vicegerency "It is He who has made you vice- gerent, He has raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He has given you: for your Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." Quran, 6:165

Trust “We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but mankind undertook it; they have always been inept and foolish;” [33:72] Trust involves keeping the earth in a shape to sustain life generation after generation

Trust "And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: behold, in that there are Signs indeed for those who reflect.“ [45:13] "He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the Sun and the Moon; and the Stars are in subjection by His command: verily in this are Signs for people who are wise." [16:12].

Moderation “Thus, have We made of you a justly balanced nation, that you might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves;”[2:143]

Other Creatures “All the creatures that crawl on the earth and those that fly with their wings are communities like yourselves,”[6:38] “There is a reward for those who sustain animal life”[Prophetic Tradition]

Jurisprudence Abuse of the Environment Conservation

Abuse of the Environment “When he leaves, he sets out to spread corruption in the land, destroying crops and livestock- God does not like corruption.”[2:205] “Do not pollute water streams.”[Prophetic tradition] “Excess in the use of water is forbidden even if you were getting it from a flowing river.”[Prophetic tradition] “Do no kill an animal except for food and do not cut a tree except for a good reason.”[Prophetic tradition]

Abuse of the Environment "He who cuts a lote-tree (without justification), God will send him to Hellfire." [Prophetic Tradition]

Conservation “Eat and drink but do not be excessive; He loves not the extravagant.” [7:31] “Do not squander (your resources) wastefully; for the wasteful are the devil’s brother.” [17:26]

Conservation “If someone had a seedling in his hand, he should plant it even if he knows that the last day is upon him.” [Prophetic tradition] “If anyone plants a tree or sows a field, and a human, bird or animal eats from it, it shall be reckoned as charity from him.” .”[Prophetic Tradition] “Whoever reclaims a barren land owns it.”[Prophetic Tradition]

Enforcement Positive Reinforcement Negative Reinforcement

Conclusion Islam has a system to protect and conserve the environment. The system provides an environment that promotes conservation and prohibits waste. It inculcates in people the values for the respect of all the creatures of God and right of the subsequent generations in a liveable earth.