Islam and the Marine environment

Each culture or society has special procedures to protect their environment depending on their knowledge of pollution. Some countries do not have the education, experience or financial means to protect the marine environment nor do they priorities it as they prefer to spend their money in investments. They thus leave the protection of marine environment to nature.

Scientists have forgotten that Islam has an important role in saving the environment. Muslims believe that man has been given a responsibility by Allah352 on this earth and that man will be accountable to God for his actions and the trust placed in him. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said:‘ Every one of you is a guardian and is responsible for his charges. The ruler who has authority over people is a guardian and is responsible for them’. Islam gives responsibility to humans not to abuse the trust placed in them and to keep nature clean and tidy. In Islam, Muslims have primary sources which define Islam: First the Quran, the Muslim Holy Book, and second the Hadith of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) which contains his sayings, actions and 351 _{Price R. (1986)The Maritime Laws of the Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council States London, Graham &Trotman,} p.15.

352_{During this chapter the researcher will use the word of Allah and God interchangeably.} 140

examples. Both of these primary sources impose responsibility on human beings to preserve and protect the creatures around him.353

Today, scientists and scholars have to share their knowledge, whether Muslim scholars or non- Muslims, to put in place the most effective measures to protect the marine environment. Muslim scholars emphasise the rules of Islamic law which serve the environment. The previous story of the cat provided by Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) clarified the responsibility of man towards all living things on our planet. Based on this Hadith, it is the responsibility of man to provide care for the environment in general and the marine environment in particular.

Muslim researchers explained how Islam protects the environment from pollution. Islam has provided legislation to take care of the environment and conserve it, and orders humankind to strive to find solutions for a range of environmental issues; furthermore, Islam makes the maintenance and protection of environment a form of worship. Islamic law focuses on marine environment protection and it is the legacy of successive generations that God placed all elements of life in the environment for the benefit of both human and non-human life. Islamic law also clarifies the foundations, rules and principles that regulate and codify the relationship between man and the marine environment.

The Quran is the Constitution of life for all mankind until the Day of Judgment. Its aim is to improve the moral behaviour of mankind. It has the ability to rebuild human life on Earth and to establish appropriate worship to God. This importance of the Holy Quran is explained by some verses of the Holy Quran like in Surat Al Anam when God said: ‘And there is no animal that walks upon the earth nor a bird that flies with its two wings but (they are) like yourselves; We have not neglected anything in the Book, then to their Lord shall they be gathered”.354

According to Kamali, the Holy Quran encourages people to save the environment, including the marine environment and forbids any harm to it. Marine environmental pollution is derived from reducing the blessing of God. There are many forms of polluting the marine environment, for

353_{KhalidF. (2002)Islam and the Environment: Social and economic dimensions of global environmental change} Chichester, John Wiley & SonsLtd, pp.2-3.

354_{Surat Al Anam (Cattle) Verse 38, Holy Quran,132.}

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example, dropping refuse into the sea. The Holly Quran emphasizes the importance of cleanliness of all creatures.355

It is important to say that poor strategies of the government which do not follow Islamic Shari’ah will lead to damaging marine life. The Holy Quran provides specific rights for marine life; Islamic countries enforce these rights.

3.16.21 Sunnah

_{And Its Role In The Protection Of Marine Life}

The Sunnah contains the sources of Islamic legislation which direct us to the way of goodness and righteousness. The prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said:

‘O People! Indeed, I am living among you, that which if you hold fast to them, you shall not be misguided after me. One of them is greater than the other: (First is) The book of Allah is a rope extended from the sky to the earth, and (the second is) my family, the people of my house (ahlul bait), and they shall not split until they meet me at the hawd, so look at how you deal with them after me.’357

The above hadith is translated by Hashim. Translations of Hadiths358differ between scholars. One of the most important objectives of the Holy Quran and Sunnah is to develop an environmental system based on Islamic heritage. Islamic heritage and knowledge reflect the practical experience and positive relationship between humankind and his environment.

The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) encouraged Muslims not to harm others, including the creatures in the sea, because this may pollute the marine environment. In addition, he said that if individuals damage the sea environment, then they will lose a source or a component of the earth. Mustafa Al-Alwani raised a question about the system of the universe and the creation of the heaven, earth and other objects and creatures – has this creation been in vain or is it protected by man as God intended?359

355_{Hashim, M. (2010). Environmental Care in Islam: A Qur’anicPerspective. International Conference on} Environment in Islam.Amman, Jordan, Aal Al Bayt Foundation for Islamic Tough.

356_{Sunnah means all sayings (Hadith) of the prophet Mohammed (PBUH).}

357 _{This Hadith narrated by Abdullah Albani , Jami Al Tirmidhi, Hadith Number 3786.} 358 _{Hadith means the saying of Prophet Mohammad Peace Be Upon Him during his life.}

359_{Mustafa, A. [2008]Islam and Environment, Journal for environmental issues (established in Libya and focuses on} environmental issues at a local and international level).

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God created man to follow his command and to worship him. Man is God’s steward on earth so he has a responsibility to conserve the environment from all kinds of damage.