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SOR - Islam essay - good
HSC year 12 CHEMISTRY (HSCCHEM12)
University of Wollongong
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How do ethical teachings in Islam guide adherents to ‘do good deeds’ in their daily lives? “Indeed this Qur’an gives guidance to the path which is the most upright and gives glad tidings of a great reward to those among its believers who do good deeds” Environmental ethics through Islamic jurisprudence and ethical teachings are exercised in Islam, in order to thoroughly guide adherents to ‘do good deeds’ within their daily lives. Sacred texts such as the Qur’an, Sunnah and Shari’ah law, allow Muslim adherents to apply principles surrounding issues within the environment and guidelines in order to “. not by excess: for God loveth not the wasters” (Quran, 6: 141). Thus, “indeed this Qur’an gives guidance to the path which is the most upright and gives glad tidings of a great reward to those among its believers who do good deeds”. Ethical teachings/or principles that allow Muslims to submit to the will of Allah, and undertake good deeds are through tawhid, kalifa, akhirah, amanah. These teachings through sacred texts, are applied in order to resolve environmental issues surrounding water conservation, deforestation and water pollution. Thereby, through such texts, adherents are provided with guidelines to be applied to environmental issues, allowing for the engagement of good deeds. Water conservation, one of the key issues that Islamic adherents must address in order to fulfil out their lives and perform good deeds, are guided by ethical teachings of akhirah and amanah within sacred texts. In Islam, water is the origin and source of life as implied in the Qur’an and is of purifying nature. The Quran gives guidance to its adherents by teaching Muslims the principles in which assist adherents in preserving earth’s natural resources such as water, so that one may sustain life. In verse 23:18 of Surah Al Mu’minun in the Qur’an, it states “And we sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure, and we gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, we are able to take it away”. The Qur’an elicits to adherents that water conservation demands management through evidence suggesting earth’s water is finite and is forbidden if used with excess. This concern is then applied through the ethical teachings of akhirah and guides adherents by holding them accountable for their duties and responsibilities towards all aspects of creation, that being through conserving water. Islamic adherents are held accountable for their stewardship deeds on earth, thus it encourages the conservation of water as a deed, with rewards in the afterlife, for submitting to the will of Allah. Thereby through the Qur’an, it gives guidances through the ethical teaching of akhirah and how it manifests the ideas that water is a sacred source and should be used with moderation and accountability by adherents to carry out ‘good deeds’. The Qur’an also communicates guidance in chapter 33, verse 72, “Truly we did offer the trust to the heavens and earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it. But the man bore it..”. The ethical teaching of amanah represent trust, in this context it communicates to adherents the duties of humanity to protect and maintain resources such as water. The Qur’an shows that the environment is a gift from Allah, and should be maintained and ensured equal access to, thus it is vital that conserving water is followed through by adherents to be morally righteous. Islamic relief worldwide, is an exemplification of an organisation whom by Islamic Jurisprudence and ethical teachings, have guided them to ‘do good deeds’. In special awareness sessions, the organisation educates communities on hygiene practises and water conservation practises, including reducing outdoor watering, taking short showers etc., in order to spread acknowledgement on the importance of conserving water. Hence, ethical teachings in Islam guide adherents to protect and conserve water resources through these actinos, as water is sacred and of great importance as stated in the Qur’an. Additionally, teaching youth how to conserve water assists them in submitting to the will of Allah and directing them in the right path to rewards in the afterlife.
In addition, deforestation is another environmental concern for Islam adherents, as the preservation of trees as a source of life is key for individuals to activate a virtuous standpoint in their lives. This is achieved with guidance from the Hadith and Qur’an, in which provide ethical teachings of kalifa and tawhid in order for adherents to ‘do good deeds’ and carry out key environmental ethics. The teachings of kalifa state through the Hadith that “The world is green and beautiful, and Allah has appointed you his guardian over it.” By which insinuates to individuals, that Muslim adherents should appropriately utilise the world’s resources for the needs of humankind in a way that sustains the environment, thus through deforestation, individuals must not comply with it as it is used for personal gain. Adherents are expected to be stewards with responsibilities to care for the natural world and the ecosystem, hence justifying the vital need to protect trees as stewards, because it is ‘the most upright’ and creates a ‘great reward’ to those who carry out such deeds. Tawhid also guides adherents to perform good deeds in accordance to deforestation by asserting that all life is created by Allah and possesses goodness and dignity. The oneness of Allah contributes to the understanding that one carries out good deeds through the protection of nature as “the whole earth has been created as a place of worship, pure an clean” (Hadith). Hence, forests must be protected as the Hadith asserts that all life is valuable and is connected to the divine, meaning all adherents must act with integrity and willingness to assist in the preservation of forests. Therefore, through these ethical teachings, it calls on adherents to act in the aid of deforestation by planting trees as a way of charity. It is seen as a charitable gift, in which can be attained and practiced by all adherents as it is extremely practical. The planter will earn rewards in the afterlife, by planting seeds and allowing for trees to grow in order to assist with climate change and the magnitude of trees that have been cut down. This is a key example of what an adherent should undertake in order to fulfil their roles as stewards/or caliphs, and apply these ethical teachings to actively protect the environment. By preserving the environment through planting trees, adherents are able to carry out good deeds, with guidance of kalifa. Donating to ‘green muslims’, an organisation that seeks to end climate change and deforestation, is also another pathway adherents can take to fulfil their righteous roles as those willing to submit to Allah. Tawhid allows individuals to understand the oneness of Allah’s creation, and that by donating to a cause central to deforestation, it will assist them in earning a rightful place in regards to akhira.
SOR - Islam essay - good
Course: HSC year 12 CHEMISTRY (HSCCHEM12)
University: University of Wollongong
