Protecting ourselves from ourselves

by **samirisaoui** Sun Jan 05, 2014 2:52 am

If Islam is thus vigorous in its protection of the basic elements of the environment for the benefit of present and future generations, it is equally earnest in the protection of man and the environment from the harmful impacts of external factors such as chemical products and wastes. Damage of all forms and kinds is forbidden in Islam. One of the fundamental principles of Islamic law is the Prophetic declaration, “There shall be no damage and no infliction of damage. [1] ‘ Prevention of damage and corruption before it occurs is better than treatment after it occurs.

Another of the most important juristic rules is, “The averting of harm takes precedence over the acquisition of benefits.” Accordingly, all activities which aim at achieving good and securing benefits by way of satisfying human needs, providing services and developing agriculture, industry, and means of communication, should be carried out without causing significant damage, injury, or , corruption. It is therefore imperative that precautions be taken in the processes of envisaging, planning and implementing such activities so that, as far as possible, they may not be accompanied by or result in any form of damage or corruption.
Wastes, Exhausts, Cleansing Materials, and Other Toxic and Harmful Substances
Wastes and exhausts, resulting from man’s daily and ordinary activities or from industrial activities and uses of modem and advanced technology, should be carefully:
Disposed of or eliminated, in order to protect the environment against corruption and distortion and to protect man from the effects of these harmful impacts on the environment, its beauty and vitality, and to ensure the protection of other environmental parameters. The accumulation of waste is largely a result of our wastefulness; whereas Islam’s prohibition of wastefulness requires the reuse of goods and recycling of materials and waste products in so far as is possible, instead of their disposal as trash.
The Prophet, upon him be blessings and peace, forbade that a person relieve himself In a water source or on a path, or in a place of shade, or in the burrow of a living creature. [2]
The values underlying these prohibitions should be understood as applicable to the pollution of critical resources and habitats in general. Wastes, exhausts, and similar pollutants should be treated at their sources, with the best feasible means of treatment, taking care in their disposal to avoid adverse side effects that lead to similar or greater damage or injury. The juristic principle in this connection is “Damage shall not be eliminated by means of similar or greater damage.”
This is also true of the harmful effects of cleansing and other toxic or harmful materials used in homes, factories, farms, and other public or private premises. It is absolutely necessary to take all possible measures to avoid and prevent their harmful effects before they occur, and to eliminate or remove such effects if they do occur in order to protect man and his natural and social environment. Indeed, if the damage resulting from these materials proves greater than their benefits, they should be prohibited. In this case, we should look for effective and harmless or less harmful alternatives.
Pesticides
These same principles apply equally to all pesticides including insecticides and herbicides. The use of such materials should not lead to any harm or damage to man or the environment in the present or the future. Consequently, control and prohibition of whatever leads to harm or damage to people or to ecosystems is required, even though this control or prohibition may affect the interests of some individuals, in accordance with the principle that “A private injury is accepted to avert a general injury to the public.”
All legitimate and lawful means should be used to avoid and prevent damage or harm, provided that such means do not lead to or cause similar or greater damage. The juristic rule in this connection is “The lesser of two evils shall be chosen.” If the use of such pesticides is unavoidable, then “Dire necessity renders prohibited things permissible.” However, “Every necessity shall be assessed according to its value,” and “That which is permitted on account of an excuse ceases to be permissible with the cessation of that excuse.”
The most selective and least destructive means of pest control are required by these values and principles of Islam. Preventive measures, biological controls, non-poisonous repellents, biodegradable substances, and narrow-spectrum pesticides should be favored whenever possible over their more destructive alternatives, and their application, should be carefully calculated to protect man, his crops, and Livestock with utmost efficiency and effectiveness, and with minimum overall injury to God’s creation.
Natural Disasters
All necessary precautions should be taken to minimize the effects of catastrophes which befall man and the environment, such as floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, storms, natural conflagrations, desertification, infestations, and epidemics. It must be recognized that natural disasters are often caused in part by acts of man, and that their, consequences by way of loss of life and property are in many cases aggravated by inappropriate settlement, building, and land use practices. Accordingly, their impacts can be largely mitigated by planning with foresight, based on understanding of natural processes. Unsuitable land use practices and activities should not be permitted in areas inherently or potentially hazardous to human life and health or areas vulnerable to disruption of natural processes.
Protection of man and man’s properties and interests is essential and necessary and “Whatever is indispensable to fulfill an imperative obligation is in itself obligatory.”
Islamic law maintains that “Damage shall be eliminated,” and “Damage shall be removed to the extent that is possible.” However, the protective measures that are taken should not lead to other adverse impacts in accordance with the principle that “Damage shall not be eliminated by means of similar damage.
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