Islam Views Environmental Conservation as an Effort to Save Human Lives

Maintaining the environment in the Islamic view is not merely an effort to preserve nature, but also an endeavour to save human lives. Syekh Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi, in his book ‘Islam: A Religion Friendly to the Environment’, explains that environmental conservation is equivalent to the second objective of Maqasid Syariah, namely the preservation of life (hifzh an-nafs). The protection of the soul refers to safeguarding the psychological life of humans and their safety. There is no doubt that environmental damage, pollution, the depletion of its resources, and the violation of its principles of balance will endanger human life. The more widespread this becomes, the more apparent the dangers that humanity will suffer.

Islam’s enthusiasm is immense in ensuring the continuity of human life, making the act of killing a soul a major sin, second only to associating partners with Allah SWT. The value of a single soul is so significant that the Quran emphasises it. Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Ma’idah, verse 32: ‘Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption done in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And Our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, even after that, throughout the land, were transgressors.’