ENGLISH-ENVIRONMENTAL TEACHINGS IN HADITH: AN ECO-THEOLOGICAL APPROACH

Abstract

This paper discusses the eco-teaching of Islam based on the sources of Islam known as the Hadith, with the focus on the eco-theological teachings of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Through the analysis of major Hadiths, the article summarizes Islamic environmental ethics, with emphasis on the ideas of Tawheed (Oneness of God), Khalifah (stewardship), and Mizan (balance) that are the components of an eco-theological model. The article points to the teachings of the Prophet on the conservation of water, planting of trees, minimization of waste, and ethical treatment of animals, which provide a viable approach to the sustainable way of life. Its applicability to modern environmental problems, e.g. climate change and pollution, are addressed, and the role of incorporating the Islamic principles into the modern environmental policies is emphasised. The article ends by considering the possibility of Muslims to help in sustainability initiatives of the world, advance a vision of mercy, balance and responsibility to the creation, as was the case of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).