Islamic Environmental Stewardship: Nature and Science in the Light of Islamic Philosophy

Heaven is a Garden

With rivers flowing and fruits ever-available, both the Qur’anic and universal depictions of Heaven are of an uncorrupted piece of nature, a garden.15

Through not only describing Heaven as a garden, but also directly using the word “Garden” (Janna ) in reference to Heaven, there is a Qur’anic allusion to a link between sacredness and nature. If Heaven is a garden, then the act of destroying the gardens of Earth (forests, rivers, etc.) is metaphorically a destruction of the Heaven on Earth. Thus, with both this and the status of natural creatures as worshippers of God in their constant prostration to Him in consideration, nature is regarded as sacred territory whose mistreatment is impermissible.

Nature is also a God-given gift. Throughout the Qur’an, and universally, Heaven is described as a positive recompense that God provides to those who deserve it.16 This heavenly reward comes in a form similar to that of nature; it is this that God gives to people as a gift for their good deeds. If the act of throwing money or anything valuable away is regarded a great waste, then what is there to say about mistreating what is similar to the invaluable reward that God sees most fit for the righteous? These are just some of the many reasons of why humanity should treat well, love, admire and understand nature-our holy gift and friend.