subject	Harmony with Nature
topic	Harmony in Nature
grade	Seven
time	30 minutes
objective	To enable students to understand the Islamic view on harmony in nature.
instructional material	Info Sheet 7G – Harmony in Nature Work Sheet 7G – Harmony in Nature

INTRODUCTION

Muslims believe that the environment is a unified system, operating through a fine balance of energy and matter. Our survival in it depends on the extent to which this fine balance established by our Creator is sustained. Man is responsible, through the powers of knowledge and intelligence with which he is endowed above all creatures as a guardian and trustee.

Our environment comprises all the living and non-living creatures on this planet and around it which are all interconnected and interdependent, and it is sustained as a whole and in all its elements by the laws of God, the All-Wise, the Most Merciful. The environment is a unified system, operating through a fine balance of energy and matter. Our survival in it depends on the extent to which this fine balance established by the Creator is sustained. Man is responsible, through the powers of knowledge and intelligence with which he is endowed above all other creatures as a guardian and trustee. This responsibility involves personal accountability for all his deeds, including the treatment of this world around him.

DEVELOPMENT

Let students read the Info Sheet.

REINFORCING ACTIVITIES

Let students do the Work Sheet.

INFO SHEET 7G – Harmony in Nature

However, it seems that man has forgotten his role. For example, industrialisation has led to a simplified, throw-it-away world view which encourages people to dominate and manipulate all available resources. The causes of environmental overload or degredation are pollution of water, air and land, and the depletion of resources. Urbanisation and industrialisation where large amounts of pollutants are concentrated in small volumes of air, water and land have led to the overloading and disruption of the natural dilution, breakdown and recycling of materials essential for life. The overflow of fertlizers, pesticides, toxic heavy metals, and (partly or wholly) treated industrial waste is allowed to run off into lakes and streams. The effects are already very tangible:

· nauseating smells and tastes

· smog causing reduced atmospheric visibility

· corrosion of metal work

· erosion of buildings

· reduced tree and crop production

· a decrease in biodiversity - each year at least 51,000 species in all become extinct

· serious damage to human health - as in the spread of infectious diseases, irritation and diseases of the respiratory system, genetic and reproductive defects and cancers (for example of skin and liver).

So what is the solution, according to Islam?

Note these verses from the Quran:

· "That ye may not transgress balance” (55:8)

· "Verily, all things we have created in proportion and measure"(al-Qamar, 54:49)

· "Every single thing is before His sight, in (due) proportion" (al-Ra'ad, 13:8)

· "And the firmament He has raised high, and He has set up the balance"(al-Rahman, 55:7)

· "Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned, that He may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back." (al-Rum, 30:41)

Within this boundless universe, the earth is a part of this Divinely established balance and proportion. The role of man in this context is to protect that balance and proportion while trying to build the world in the best pattern as commanded by the verse following the one last quoted:

Islam teaches man that he should accept and protect everything in the world as a value. In the Qur'an, God swears on several animals and plants and states that the Bee and the Ant received revelation from Him. The Qur'an describes Paradise as a garden underneath which rivers flow with an abundance of delicious fruits. Thus the philosophical background of the Islamic attitude to the environment is respect for plants and animals and the ecological balance of nature for the sake of God Who created all things which therefore have a value.

Man has unique responsibilities to know, understand and realise the value in the Creation, himself included. God created everything for the benefit of man, provided man is responsible. A Muslim is aware of this fact. That's why he/she believes that protecting the balance of nature is worthy of reward and the contrary is a sin, worthy of condemnation.

There are many examples of good practice corresponding to the good principles during the first years of Islam. The area around the sacred Ka'bah, (the qibla of muslims) is declared forbidden - i.e. the cutting of any plants and trees and the kiling of animals is prohibited. Parts of Medina and Taif were proclaimed natural conservation areas or commons by the Prophet Muhammad. Hunting was banned during the mating season of birds. The Prophet took a district out of Madina under his protection and that district became an outing area, later named al-Ghaba, meaning wood or forest.

The Prophet, clearly sought to establish environmental awareness among his followers in many of his sayings. He announced that God would reward the one who changed and arid, infertile land into a fertile one and that person would obtain the reward of an act of charity for as long as people or animals continued to benefit from that land (Fayd al-Qadir, II, 39).

The Prophet also stated that:

"the one who kills a sparrow for no reason will be questioned about it on Judgement Day." (Darimi, II, 11);

"the nests of birds must not be destroyed and neither their eggs nor young hurt." (Abu Dawud, al-Jana'iz, 1);

"The outside of our houses, squares, streets and districts should be kept clean." (Kashf al-Khafa, 1, 224);

"The things on the road and in places which are harmful should be destroyed." (Muslim, Iman, 12; al-Targhib, III, 618);

"Those who relieve themselves in places that other people frequently use are cursed." (Muslim, Tahara, 20; al_Taj 1.93)

In short this world is a trust from God to human beings. For Muslims, it is a shelter, a place to wander in, to eat, to rest and to worship. We are allowed to benefit from it, not to damage it. On the contrary, we are supposed to improve it by building on its usefulness and beauty. If the whole of mankind were to develop this awareness and responsibility, then we will be able to leave a better environment and a more peaceful world to our children.

WORKSHEET 7G – Harmony in Nature

Briefly explain the Islamic solution on preserving the harmony in nature, and what it suggests as a solution to modern day deterioration of the environment.