For all 1.2 billion muslims in the world to actually associate an environmental principle in their religion, Foltz says it must be something from Sharia law. While not all rules of Sharia are followed by all Muslims, it is the general ethical code for the religion, and, therefore, would contain an environmental guideline if there was one. This is why contemporary Islamic environmentalists are using the Qur'an as a direct resource to support ecological issues while not presenting nature as a 'false idol'.
It is up to the specific Muslim, based on different Qur'anic concepts (tawhid) if they choose to believe that all of God's creations, animate or not, are holy or if, through God's eyes, the religion is completely anthropocentric. In the environmentalists defense, the Qur'an contains accounts from the Prophet Muhammad that "emphasize compassion toward nonhuman animals." There are also judgements "against those who despoil the earth."
These are, after all, ancient texts. To appeal to all Muslims of dynamic beliefs today, Islamic scholars must modernize these ideas to create support toward the environment. For example, one scholar stressed a prohibition of relieving oneself anywhere near a water source because it polluted water and, eventually and against Sharia law, harms humans.
Foltz discusses the concept of stewardship, which Muslim environmentalists have referred back to. Allah placed man on this earth as a vice-rigent, or khalifa. Some scholars have even claimed that this stewardship is a test to see how human beings relate to the environment. Environmentalists make the connection that as Allah's vice-regents, we have a responsibility to take care of the Earth. Allah has created everything in the universe and it is our responsibility to care for his creations.
ReplyDeleteThis reading actually reminded me of Ms. Salim's talk. After deciding to write my paper on Islam, I was surprised by all of the concepts I became aware of through my research. One of the coolest things Ms. Salim spoke about, in my opinion, is the fact that Islam views all environments as interconnected. Like Ms. Salim said, Islam doesn't view environments as plural, separate, or disjoined. This concept is essential to the idea of stewardship, which emphasizes the care and protection of the environment as such. Again, like the moderator of this post alluded to, the Islamic environmental ethic is expressly stated in the Quran. It's very interesting to see that some religions' environmental ethics are rooted in their sacred texts.
ReplyDeleteIt was refreshing to read a work that gives a religion the benefit of the doubt when it comes to environmental issues. Foltz opens his piece by mentioning that Islam is “an ecologically oriented religion” and that Muslims are seeking ways to apply their religious principles in response to the global environmental crisis. I think that the way in which Islamic scholars must bring these ancient ideas into new context to make them applicable to today’s world is extremely important and could bring about a lot of change. Most widespread religions’ sacred texts have been written hundreds/thousands of years ago, and in order to maintain their relevancy/apply to new technological advancements of this century.
ReplyDelete*they must be looked at in a new context.
ReplyDeleteThe piece on Islam was different than the other previous religious readings. There seems to be many differences in the way Muslims feel/live with the environment than Christians. While some of these ideas were previously discussed by Ms. Selim I found the concept of tawhid (unity) as one of my favorite. I think the Islamic way of looking at the environment is beautiful and I like the idea that an Islamic lifestyle "will naturally be environmentally sensitive". Another aspect of the reading I enjoyed was about birth control practice. Because I am writing my final paper on contraception in the Catholic church it was interesting to compare it to that of the Islamic view that overpopulation is not an a world issue. Instead, the people believe that "God will provide".
ReplyDeleteA lot of the Islamic environmental ethics come from the Qur'an. In the section about sources of environmentalism in Islam the reading mentions that in a dedication to God, we can trust that we will be safe in bad situations. An interesting relevant part of the text was the part about animals being created to serve humans. For example, "cattle and beasts of burden" are mentioned as being for humans to use, but animals who praise God have their own purposes. This seems as though Islam has a biocentric view about animals and humans, but if the animals are not seen has holy or dedicated to God, then it seems anthropocentric.
ReplyDeletePosted by Helen Gaynor
ReplyDeleteI actually saw similarities in how Christians and Muslims view the environment from reading this essay. It is clear that it has a more overt presence in Islam, however I think the underlying values are alike. In the Catholic Church the belief is that God is the ultimate creator and that the environment is his creation, therefore it is beautiful and we must protect it. The current Pope is actually doing a lot to implement environmental change and push for for environmentally friendly practices and beliefs, because it is time to protect what God created. In general it is becoming more 'politically correct' to support changes in the environment and 'go green', so religions of all types are looking for ways to relay that message in their religious practices. While all religions are definitely going to have dissimilarities, I found that both Islam and Catholicism viewed the environment as sacred and beautiful and are looking for new and modern ways to get that message out with religion.
The article presents Islam as an ecologically sane religion. It’s interesting to me that there is a text that can be so easily applied to the environment. It’s most fascinating that “The Sharia contains numerous guidelines, restrictions, and injunctions which have environmental implications” (209). Not knowing much about Islam beforehand, I am quite interested in learning more about how the Sharia takes into account the environment. For my research paper, I am studying Buddhism and the Four Noble Truths. Essentially, these truths outline the idea of suffering and how it can be ceased. Similar to Islam, the Noble Truths may also shed light on our current ecological crisis. As I read through the article, I was able to draw many parallels between the two faiths. For example, the text states, “some contemporary thinkers reason that a genuinely Islamic lifestyle will “naturally” be environmentally sensitive” (211). Likewise, Buddhism rests on a foundation of good virtues that take all matter into consideration. It’s intriguing to me that many of the religions we cover are so closely intertwined.
ReplyDeleteFoltz’s chapter in the Encyclopedia of Religion was interesting not only because it was another article that enlightened me about Islam, but also because it drew such great connections between Islam and its view of the environment. The fact that there was a difference between Muslim environmentalism (environmentalism based on a variety of sources including religion) and Islamic environmentalism (environmentalism drawn from the textual sources of Islam) fascinated me. I always understood the two terms to be synonymous, but I have come to learn otherwise. Another interesting point that Foltz commented on was the oneness in the Islamic religion. In Christianity, I think of oneness as the unity between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, in Islam, unity includes oneness with nature. The fact that I was somewhat surprised to consider this disappointed me because I feel that unity with nature should be standard across all religions. If a religion and its people were truly one with God, shouldn’t they be one with God’s creation as well? Foltz observation that Islam views all of creation as muslim truly struck a chord with me because it is in man’s will to choose to submit to God or not. Submitting to God will not only make you “muslim” but will also unite you with nature.
ReplyDeleteI found this article interesting especially since i am planning on writing my paper on Islam. I had done some research before and I knew a little about how Islam viewed the envirorment but this article helped me learn much more. I know realize that the Quran is really what tells us how we should view the environemt and nature. Overall I really like how Islam views the environment as one with God and that a real Muslim will treat nature as something sacred.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the fact how this chapter was different than others, as it provided a positive outlook of Islam overall. Before this class, I can honestly say that I knew very little about Islam, and the past several readings have helped me greatly. With that being said, I found it interesting that Foltz recognized the differences between the Eastern and Western versions of the religion, which the other sections failed to mention. This plays a bigger role than many would originally assume, and it was refreshing to see what seemed to be a very unbiased view of Islam and its relationship to the environment.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this reading as it gave me additional insight to how the Quran and the Muslim population treats the environment. Modern Muslim writers are convinced that Islam is an ecologically oriented religion. As this is part of my research thesis, I was able to take a lot from this reading and I will more than likely use some of Foltz’s work in my paper. It coincided with Ms. Salim’s lecture about Tawhid and the “oneness” of all living and nonliving things. I thought it as interesting how the Quran describes Islam as the religion of fitra (“ the very nature of things”) The concept of common property is also found in Native American culture, so I think it is fascinating how the same sort of ideological concept can be found on the two hemispheres before modern communication.
ReplyDeleteI did not realize it before, but after reading through the Islamic beliefs after considering an ecological perspective, there seems to be a number of aspects that could support a conservationist attitude. One that stood out to me was the “weighing of deeds.” It is intended to highlight and encourage morality behind one’s decisions and cause one to genuinely contemplate one’s actions because they all have consequences- intentional or unintentional, positive or negative.
ReplyDeleteThis reading was very refreshing in how revealing how Muslim activists are responding to the global environmental crisis, especially since the detrimental effects of environmental degradation are felt most severely by the world's poor, a disproportionate number of whom are Muslims. Unfortunately, many governments of Muslim societies have been slow to respond to environmental problems, while opposition movements as well have mostly chosen to focus on other issues. Nevertheless, environmental awareness and activism are growing throughout the Muslim world.
ReplyDeleteFoltz furthermore deliberates on the idea of stewardship and how Allah has placed man on this earth as khalifa, and therefore we have an important responsibility to take care of the Earth. This relates to the idea that Ms. Salim discussed of tawhid and how all creation is interconnected and unified.
Before reading this I didn't have any background on how Islam was related to the environment so this became a very interesting read. It was interesting how the environment and how one should treat the environment is mentioned in sharia law, i would like to find out more on this subject to see how strongly these environmental laws are enforced and what the consequences would be of breaking them, like punishment and how would it affect your image within the Muslim community. Overal reading all of these articles has really open my eyes to a whole other side of religion as now there are environmental aspects to it even these mainstream religions. It seems that all of the religions try to preach the respect and care for the environment as the article says about Islam, that it will be naturally
ReplyDeleteEnvironmentally sensitive.
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting to think about the concept of looking at all of Gods creations as holy. If someone chooses to look at all of God's creations as holy, they will obviously place great importance in taking care of the environment. Everything on earth would then be looked at as an extension of God and sen as sacred since God created it. When thinking about the connection between Islam and the environment, I could help but to think about how prayer is a huge part of the islamic faith. When thinking about Islamic prayer, you might visualize a large group gathered outside on prayer mats praying together. I think that this method of payer also shows that there is an environmental connection since it is done outside kneeling on the ground. I think it is evident that there is an importance placed on the environment in the Islamic faith.
ReplyDeleteFoltz had a few very interesting points. I found it interesting that be broke down Islamis environmentalism and Muslim environmentalism and explained Muslim environmentalism as a regional practice. It makes a lot of sense because of the disparate regions and political ideas that follow. The poetry of Rumi added a new dimension to my understanding of Islam and the environment. The need of humans to "recognize" the nature of every particle in the universe inspires deep contemplation of the Qu'ran, God and religions in general and the credence they should be afforded regarding the environment. The combination of the poem and the writing gives a sense that one can really internalize the meaning of the environment and human stewardship of nature but also view the communal role as well. After reading these, it follows that the environmental movement can stem from a reverence and veneration of God by the individual through textual interpretation and as a congregation. Nature is then just as divinely inspired as humans and deserves no less respect. God's grace would seem to flow through all of creation and not just humankind.
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