“If a Muslim plants a tree, the fruit of that tree that is eaten is definitely charity for that person. Fruit stolen from that tree is again charity for him. Fruit eaten by wild animals is also charity. What birds eat is also charity. Whatever fruit is eaten is charity for the one who planted the tree.” (Buhari, Adab, 27)

Allah, Who created everything in the right place and the right amount, has provided us with laws on how we, His servants, should live our lives on this earth. According to the science of ecology, which is a matter that concerns both humanity and the environment, everything in the universe has been created in the right place and in the right balance. When humanity, the most honored of creation, a being that has been graced with reason, does not fulfill the duties of their creation, they begin to pollute themselves and the environment. This situation is expressed in the Qur’ân as: “Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil).” (Rum:30/41)

In this issue our topic is Islam and Ecology. In this issue, you will be able to read the 3rd section of the written series, ‘The Qur’ân and Contemplation’, by our beloved teacher, Osman Nuri Efendi. In the article written by Ali Riza Temel tell us the measures of protecting the ecologic balance in Islam. Dr. Ahmet Yaman explains to us how and why, in the light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah, we need to protect the world and environment, which have been entrusted to us, in his article Islam and Ecology.

In the Qur’ân, Allah says:   “O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters”. (Araf,7/31) As a Muslim we have to comply with this order with absolute care and we have to bring up our children in awareness of it. The most important component to prevent pollution is to adhere to the immutable principles of Islam as an individual and to obey Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in every matter. Thus, we can leave following generations a clean and inhabitable world.

We hope that you will read this issue with great pleasure and that you will have a future life spent in awareness of how the Qur’ân and Sunnah approach the environment. Looking forward to being with you in the next issue.