Environmental Awareness and Love of Nature in Islam

<p>Islam defines humans as Allah's vicegerents on earth and assigns the protection of nature as a responsibility. Prophet Muhammad expressed the importance of environmental awareness by saying: "If the Day of Judgment is about to occur and one of you has a seedling in hand, let them plant it if they can." <br/> <br/>Not wasting water is one of Islam's fundamental environmental principles. The Prophet forbade wasting water even when performing ablution by a flowing river. Today, the depletion of water resources is one of the greatest environmental problems. <br/> <br/>Planting trees is an act that earns great reward in Islam. The Prophet said: "If a Muslim plants a tree and a human, animal, or bird eats from its fruit, it counts as charity for them until the Day of Judgment." <br/> <br/>Animal rights also hold great importance in Islam. The Prophet informed that a person who gave water to a thirsty dog was given the glad tidings of Paradise. Cruelty to animals is absolutely forbidden.</p>