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Charles and Julia Botha write:
“People’s fascination with plants has been universal. Islamic
legislation on the preservation of trees and plants was laid down some
fourteen centuries ago. This code of ecological conservation has its
origins in the life and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. One of the
latter states, “Whoever plants a tree and looks after it with care,
until it matures and becomes productive, will be rewarded in the
Hereafter.” Early Muslims understood and respected such legislation.
Abu Bakr, the first Caliph after the death of the Prophet, instructed
troops he was sending into enemy territory, “Do not cut down trees,
and do not kill animals except for food.” (Bring Nature Back to
Your Garden, A Wildlife Handbook, Charles and Julia Botha,
Published by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa,
2000)
Alas the Muslims of today have forgotten these guidelines provided by
Rasūlullāh
e.
The disbelievers fully appreciate Islamic teachings and even quote
these in their books whereas Muslims remain blissfully ignorant of
these wonderful teachings. Let us read good Islamic literature and
apprize ourselves of the legacy Islam has left for us. Let us
demonstrate to the world how we should be caring for nature and being
productive so that the entire mankind can reap the benefits.
C
(Moulānā
Ebrahim Muhammad) |