MUI: Reckless Forest and Land Burning Is Haram

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has urged Muslims to perform the rain prayer, or Shalat Istisqa, in congregation, asking Allah to send rain bringing blessing and mercy in response to forest and land fires in several regions.

MUI Deputy Chairman Cholil Nafis said the council was calling on Muslims to repent sincerely (taubatan nasuha) for their sins and negligence, including acts that damage nature and the environment. He also urged them to recite istighfar more often and read Qunut Nazilah during the obligatory prayers as a spiritual effort to seek protection from disasters, the dangers of haze and drought.

He said protecting the environment and safeguarding human life were religious obligations. This is set out in MUI Fatwa No. 30 of 2016 on the Law on Forest and Land Burning and Its Control, which states that reckless burning that damages the environment and threatens human life (hifdz al-nafs) is haram and contrary to Islamic law.

“As the forest and land fires have now reached an emergency level, we are asking the Honourable President to give the issue greater attention so that it can be fully resolved,” Cholil said.

MUI also called on law enforcement officials to act firmly and fairly, without exception, against individuals and companies that deliberately burn forests and land for business purposes.

“Acts that can cause damage (mafsadah) and threaten the continued existence of human life are contrary to the principal tenets of Islamic law,” Cholil said.

He expressed concern over the fires, saying they had disrupted people’s activities, damaged ecosystems and threatened the health and safety of residents, particularly children, older people and other vulnerable groups.

“The fires have also had similar effects in several neighbouring countries, particularly Malaysia and Singapore,” he said.

He therefore called on the public to work together (ta’awun) by helping residents affected by haze, watching for possible new hotspots in their areas and refraining from burning rubbish or land indiscriminately.