How Islam Teaches Humanity to Love the Environment and All Creatures

Islam not only teaches humanity to worship Allah SWT, but also to build a compassionate relationship with all of His creations. Syekh Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi, in his book Islam Agama Ramah Lingkungan, explains that one of the basic principles of Islam is to cultivate love for all creatures, both living beings and nature that appears inanimate, because everything is a creation of Allah that submits to and glorifies Him.

Syekh Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi elaborated that a simple yet profoundly beautiful principle taught by Islam in building the relationship between humans and the environment and the entire universe is to foster love for everything around them, be it living creatures or seemingly lifeless objects. Living creatures, from crawling animals to birds in the sky, are viewed as creations of Allah that hold a status as His creatures, just as humans do.

Allah SWT affirms in the Quran that every community has its own uniqueness. Therefore, humans must not look down upon other creatures, but must respect their existence as part of Allah’s creation. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says: ‘And there is no creature on the earth or bird that flies with its wings except that they are communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.’ (QS Al-An‘am Verse 38)