In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings and peace be upon the master of all prophets and messengers, his family, companions, and all those who follow him in righteousness until the Day of Judgment.

O esteemed audience! Let us begin by sending prayers and salutations upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the intercessor on the Day of Resurrection: “O Allah, send Your blessings, peace, and mercy upon our master, our leader, and our beloved Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.”

The Preservation of the Environment

Dear respected brothers and sisters! Islam is a religion that establishes principles guiding human interaction with the surrounding environment. Allah has commanded us to protect and preserve our environment while prohibiting wastefulness and extravagance. Excessive exploitation of natural resources leads to their destruction. Allah says in the Quran:

“Eat and drink, but do not waste. Indeed, He does not like the wasteful.” (Quran 7:31)

The Prophet ﷺ also forbade extravagance. Once, he passed by Sa’d (رضي الله عنه) while he was performing ablution and said:

“What is this extravagance?”

Sa’d replied, “Is there extravagance even in ablution?”

The Prophet ﷺ responded: “Yes, even if you are at a flowing river.” (Ibn Majah)

Islam Prohibits Corruption

Dear friends! To maintain a pleasant and peaceful environment, Islam prohibits spreading corruption (Fasad), as it leads to severe harm. Allah says:

“And do not seek corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.” (Quran 28:77)

In another verse, Allah warns:

“And do not cause corruption on earth after it has been set in order. That is better for you, if you are believers.” (Quran 7:85)

Environmental Cleanliness

Beloved brothers! The Prophet ﷺ prohibited contaminating water, as it is a vital resource for life. He also emphasized cleanliness of the body, clothing, food, streets, and homes, declaring purity as a part of faith. He instructed:

“Cover your containers, mention Allah’s name, and close the mouths of your water skins while mentioning Allah’s name.” (Bukhari)

Environmental Greenery

Dear friends! The Prophet ﷺ stressed the importance of planting trees, saying:

“If the Hour (Day of Judgment) is about to be established and one of you has a sapling in his hand, he should plant it.” (Ahmad)

This encourages expanding greenery and preventing desertification.

Reward for Planting Trees

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“No Muslim plants a tree or sows a crop, and a bird, human, or animal eats from it, except that it is counted as charity for him.” (Bukhari)

Harmful Practices

Islam warns against factors that negatively impact health and well-being, such as excessive noise pollution from vehicle horns or loudspeakers, which harm hearing and cause stress. Allah says:

“And lower your voice, for the harshest of voices is the braying of donkeys.” (Quran 31:19)

These are some of Islam’s guidelines highlighting environmental protection. Today, environmental crises are escalating, proving the necessity of adopting these divine teachings for humanity’s benefit.

Preserving Blessings

Dear respected ones! A beautiful environment is a great blessing from Allah. We must express gratitude by protecting and improving it. Allah warns:

“Whoever alters Allah’s favor after receiving it, then Allah is severe in punishment.” (Quran 2:211)

Protection of Water Resources

Islam commands the protection of water resources, prohibiting contamination of rivers, wells, and springs. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“None of you should urinate in stagnant water and then bathe in it.” (Bukhari)

Keeping Air Clean

Islam prohibits air pollution, which spreads germs and diseases. The Prophet ﷺ advised:

“When drinking, do not breathe into the vessel.” (Bukhari)

Avoiding Public Nuisance

Islam prohibits relieving oneself in public pathways or shaded areas, as it causes discomfort. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Beware of the two acts that bring curses: relieving oneself in people’s pathways or under their shade.” (Muslim)

Prohibition of Cutting Trees Unnecessarily

Islam encourages protecting trees as long as they benefit people. The Prophet ﷺ warned:

“Whoever cuts a lote tree, Allah will cast him headlong into Hell.” (Abu Dawud)

Removing Harm from Pathways

The Prophet ﷺ emphasized cleanliness, stating:

“Faith has over seventy branches, the highest being the declaration of ‘La ilaha illallah,’ and the lowest is removing harm from the road.” (Bukhari)

Removing obstacles from pathways is an act that leads to forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“A man saw a thorny branch on the road and removed it, so Allah appreciated his deed and forgave him.” (Bukhari)

Prohibition of Destroying Crops and Livestock

Islam forbids destroying crops and livestock, as it spreads corruption. Allah says:

“When he leaves, he strives to spread corruption, destroying crops and livestock. Allah does not love corruption.” (Quran 2:205)

Keeping Homes and Surroundings Clean

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Allah is pure and loves purity, clean and loves cleanliness, generous and loves generosity. So clean your courtyards and do not imitate the Jews.” (Tirmidhi)

Supplication

O Allah! Grant us the ability to maintain a clean environment. Protect us from sins and safeguard our homeland from internal and external threats. Shield us from terrorism, chaos, bloodshed, and disasters. Grant our leaders wisdom to serve the nation sincerely. Help us elect righteous representatives. Elevate the ranks of those who sacrificed their lives for our country. Grant us true obedience to You and Your beloved Prophet ﷺ. Purify our inner and outer selves. Enable us to live according to the Quran and Sunnah. Bestow upon us goodness in this life and the Hereafter. Make us among those You and Your beloved Prophet ﷺ love. Have mercy on all Muslims and protect them. O Lord of the worlds, accept our prayers!

May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon the best of creation, the light of the Throne, our master, our Prophet, our beloved Muhammad, his family, and companions. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds!

Ameen!