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By Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak, Ph.D
The relationship between man and nature is an inseparable one that has been studied for centuries. This topic has attracted the attention of scholars from a wide range of disciplines. Major religions of the world teach that the universe and nature existed long before the arrival of humankind. Since humans came into existence, the Earth has undergone dramatic changes, particularly with the advent of colonization, industrialization, modernization, and, currently, globalization.
According to geologists and environmentalists, the Earth’s surface is changing rapidly due to various forms of pollution and environmental degradation. Pollution affects land, oceans, forests, mountains, and even space, while global warming, melting polar ice, wars, and other factors pose serious threats to human, wildlife, and marine life. The primary culprit behind this destruction is humanity itself. Driven by greed for wealth and power, humans have caused immense damage to the living conditions on this planet.
Man’s relationship with nature dates back centuries. In recognition of nature’s immense contribution to human survival, some have even equated it with God. Conversely, others who view nature as an obstacle believe that man must conquer it to prevail. Islam, however, takes a balanced and moderate approach. The Qur’an encourages human beings to explore nature and the universe in order to understand the patterns and laws through which God has created all celestial and terrestrial bodies (Al-Qur’an 3:190-191). Ideally, upon discovering the wonders and creativity of God reflected in nature and the universe, human beings should be humbled and grateful for the bounties provided by Him (Al-Qur’an 41:53).
In Islam, man, as the Khalifah of Allah, is required to maintain a good relationship with nature. It is believed that harmonious coexistence with nature enables humanity to benefit from the goodness it provides. When humans treat nature with care and compassion, it rewards them with fresh water, a steady supply of oxygen, fragrant flowers, fruits of various tastes, and other natural and food resources.
The Holy Qur’an teaches that nature is a gift from Allah, created for the benefit of and to serve humankind. While some outside Islam may view nature as something to be conquered, as if it were an adversary, Muslims hold a different perspective. For them, nature is created for human benefit and should be admired and appreciated for its beauty and splendour. Contemplating and reflecting upon the creation of the universe and nature is regarded as a form of Ibadah (worship) to Allah (Al-Qur’an 3:190).
Looking at the people of the West, one can observe a noticeable change in their attitude toward preserving nature. Many authorities have noted that Western societies underwent significant transformation after witnessing the devastating effects of the two World Wars. The deaths of millions and the immense destruction inflicted on infrastructure and the environment in the countries involved brought about a shift in their philosophy of life.
From the end of the Second World War up to the present time, people in the West have shown an increasing awareness of the importance of caring for nature, the environment, and both human and animal life. In their efforts to preserve life and protect the natural world, they have established numerous movements and organizations such as Greenpeace, the National Geographic Society, the Nature Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and hundreds of anti-war groups. The emergence of these organizations reflects their life philosophy of focusing on the “here and now” and living life to the fullest. In addition, they aim to preserve flora and fauna for future generations.
Another factor contributing to the success of their conservation initiatives is the availability of funds, knowledge, and advanced technology. However, despite the efforts of the masses and these organizations toward global peace and environmental protection, a small group of policymakers, warmongers, and those tied to the war industry continue to undermine these aspirations. Because of this selfish minority, we still witness small-scale conflicts occurring in various parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East.
Contrary to the situation in the West, many countries in Asia and Africa have not demonstrated a strong or passionate commitment to the preservation and conservation of nature. In many of these societies, people pay little or sometimes noattention to the importance of caring for nature and the environment. Various factors may contribute to their lack of awareness or concern regarding the preservation of flora and fauna. Some of the reasons why people in certain Asian and African countries show limited passion and compassion toward nature include the following:
Lack of Good Governance:
Leadership crises and corruption in some Asian and African countries have contributed to poor management of the natural environment. When funds allocated for the preservation and conservation of nature go missing or are misused, environmental degradation becomes inevitable. Consequently, landslides, flash floods, and other calamities can occur, causing severe damage to the environment and resulting in the loss of human lives.
Ignorance/Negligence:
Many people are unaware that serious environmental problems exist, or they fail to realize that addressing these issues requires their active participation alongside the rest of the world.
Economic Hardship:
In many parts of Asia and Africa, people trapped in the web of poverty are preoccupied with meeting the basic survival needs of their families, leaving them little opportunity to think about broader global issues, especially those related to the environment and nature. As a result, they do not have the financial means or the comfort of stability to focus on the preservation and conservation of nature or the survival of wildlife.
Countries Affected by Conflict:
Nations preoccupied with sectarian wars, the war on terror, or conflicts imposed upon them by external forces face severe instability. Sadly, these conditions often force many citizens to flee as refugees into foreign lands. In such circumstances, those affected by war are unlikely to focus on caring for the environment or preserving flora and fauna, as their immediate concerns revolve around their own suffering and survival.
A Segment of Society Prioritizing the Hereafter:
A portion of humanity believes that life on earth is merely temporary, and as a result, they place greater emphasis on preparing for the hereafter. In the case of Muslims, however, Islam encourages maintaining a balanced lifestyle by giving due attention to both worldly responsibilities and preparation for the afterlife (Al-Qur’an 28:77).
Exploitation of Natural Resources:
Since nature has been created for the benefit of humankind, some people feel entitled to exploit its resources without considering the moral and ethical responsibilities involved in caring for the environment. Illegal logging and unregulated forest clearance can easily trigger landslides and mudslides. In addition, the irresponsible burning of forests for land clearing often results in haze that harms air quality. This, in turn, can cause health problems for people living in the surrounding areas.
Dependence on External Knowledge:
In many developing countries, people are often overly reliant on others for information and research about flora and fauna. Rather than conducting their own studies, they tend to rely on purchased knowledge and documentary films produced by others.
Towards a Sustainable Future
Regardless of whether people live in the East or the West, they must pay attention to issues related to the preservation and conservation of nature. Until humanity learns to coexist harmoniously with nature, unpredictable weather patterns, melting ice at the poles, and other natural disasters—such as landslides and mudslides—will remain imminent threats. Many environmental tragedies that affect humanity are, in fact, largely caused by human actions (Al-Qur’an 30:41).
Environmental studies should be given serious consideration in every country, especially those involved in the oil and gas industries. Nations that rely heavily on fossil fuels should actively seek alternative, eco-friendly energy sources. Moreover, ecological conditions in countries engaged in mining, oil, and gas extraction should be continuously monitored to prevent threats to human life.
World leaders and citizens alike should strive for global peace, working to eliminate unnecessary wars that have devastating consequences for both humanity and the environment. Such conflicts can release depleted uranium and radioactive particles into the air, causing severe harm to human lives and the natural world.
To ensure the preservation of flora and fauna for future generations to benefit from and enjoy, oil-rich countries should establish dedicated funds for nature and environmental studies. Such funds would greatly support scientists and researchers in exploring, investigating, and documenting the mysteries of the natural world.
A love for nature and the environment should be nurtured in young minds from preschool and elementary levels, fostering citizens who are passionate about maintaining a healthy environment. Similar to the West, schools in Asia and Africa should allocate substantial resources to provide students with opportunities and facilities to conduct research related to the natural world.
Universities should also expand their programs by creating more faculties and departments focused on the relationship between humans and nature, as well as environmental studies aimed at the preservation and conservation of natural resources.
“The views expressed herein are those of Dr. Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak of the Department of Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Studies, AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Potret Online.”
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