Scholar Cites Holy Prophet’s Teachings on Environment Protection
Speaking to IQNA, Hojat-ol-Islam Seyed Ali Hosseini said even when performing ablution next to a flowing river, the Prophet (PBUH) paid attention to saving water.
God says in the Holy Quran, “Indeed, you have in the Messenger of God a good example for anyone who hopes in God and the Last Day and remembers God much.,” he said, adding, “On this basis, we can say that the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) can be our way of life, and this is the best way that enriches the world and humanity and leads us to worldly and hereafter happiness.”
The scholar referred to a book titled “Nature in the Prophetic Tradition” and said it states that the Prophet (PBUH) established clear and important principles regarding nature and the environment.
“One of the most important environmental issues is plant life and adequate vegetation cover on the earth,” the expert said. “This precious green cover has extraordinary value. Without it, the earth would resemble a graveyard where no blessing or vitality is seen.”
The cleric emphasized the Prophet’s (PBUH) strong advocacy for planting trees. “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) placed extraordinary emphasis on tree-planting and developing this vegetation cover. He used various methods and ways to encourage Muslims and motivate them to develop plant cover.”
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The teachings also extended to times of conflict, he noted, pointing to specific wartime directives. “The Prophet (PBUH) severely condemned the cutting down of trees and repeatedly emphasized that trees must not be cut down, even during war.”
Hojat-ol-Islam Hosseini referred to rules of engagement and said, “We know that in wars, the human rules governing human life are trampled upon. But the Prophet (PBUH) ordered Muslims in wars not to kill the elderly, children, or women. He also said, ‘Do not cut down trees, do not set fire to farms, do not flood palm groves, and do not spread poison on the land.’”
He also underlined the Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings on the avoidance of water waste.
This applied even to religious rituals like ablution, the expert said, recounting a story involving the Prophet (PBUH) and one of his companions, Sa’d. “Sa’d began to perform ablution, and the Prophet (PBUH) said to him: ‘Sa’d! Do not waste water, even on the banks of a full-flowing river. You have no right to waste water while performing ablution.’”
Hojat-ol-Islam Hosseini said Hadiths regarding avoiding pollution and wasting water are very numerous.
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He connected these teachings to modern crises. “The main water problem in our country now is wastage in consumption. We turn on the tap mercilessly. We have incorrect water consumption in agriculture, and the dominant method of irrigation for fields and orchards is flood irrigation, which practically leads to water waste.”
He argued that following the Prophet’s (PBUH) guidance could resolve current issues. “If we consume the amount of water we have in the manner that the Prophet of God commanded, our water shortage problem would either be greatly reduced or disappear completely.”
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