The Story of Stuff
www.storyofstuff.com/
From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our
lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from
view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the
underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff
exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social
issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.
It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way
you look at all the stuff in your life forever.
If you haven't seen this yet, I would highly recommend it. Take from it
what you will - K a r i m a
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B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i r R a h e e m
Before you view "The Story of Stuff", I would like you to take some time
to read Professor Mustafa Abu-Sway's essay "Towards an Islamic Jurisprudence of
the Environment" on our role in protecting the environment.
Quote: "The basic role of the human being on earth is to worship Allaah
Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala: "I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve
Me." (Az-Zaariyaat 51:56)
To serve Allaah or to worship Him is a comprehensive way that covers
every aspect of life. Fulfilling all that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala has
commanded from us in terms of Praying, Fasting, Zakaah and Hajj indicates
worshipping. The same could be said regarding any action that the human being
performs in accordance with the Islamic world-view, as long as it is done for
the Sake of Allaah Almighty.
Every act, as long as it is good (e.g. protecting the environment) and
done for the Sake of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, is considered an act of
worshipping that generates reward in this life and the Hereafter. This is the
via media between two extremes; total disregard for the environment, and
worshipping it as the case of nature worshippers.
The total disregard for the environment is detrimental for the human
being. The same could be said regarding the extreme position of protecting the
environment in an absolute sense. An example is advocating the protection of
every single member of the animal kingdom to the level which might endanger the
life of the human beings involved in rescue operations.
It should be known that Islam advocates the protection of the
environment, though not in name, for the word 'environment' (bi'ah), along with
its connotations, evolved in recent times. That Islam has high regard for the
environment is something that can be found in the Holy Qur'aan and the Sunnah.
The fact that to protect the environment is considered an act of worshipping,
does not mean that every component of the environment should be saved. In fact,
it is sometimes to the contrary. The Prophet, sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam,
stated that a person who uprooted a tree (which formed an obstacle) in the path
of people, ended up in heaven.
The Islamic position forms a middle path between human behaviour that has
disregard to the environment and those who practically worship the environment
or certain parts of it. While the Islamic world view supports the protection of
environment from the greedy behaviour of human beings, it allows room for
sustainable development.
The Environment is the Loci of the Signs Pointing to Allaah Subhaanahu wa
Ta'aala.
The environment is perceived as the place where the signs (e.g. rivers,
plants, and birds), pointing to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala exist:
"Verily in the heavens and the earth, are Signs for those who believe.
And in the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered
(throughout the earth), are Signs for those of assured Faith. And the
alteration of Night and Day, and the fact that Allaah sends down Sustenance
from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and in the
change of the winds,-are Signs for those that are wise. (Al-Jaathiya 45:3-5)
As a result, any destruction occurring to the environment is tantamount
to destroying these signs. If any species becomes extinct, it is considered a
loss of a Sign that reflects the greatness of the Creator. It is indeed a very
sad thing if we continue to destroy the environment, because we will prevent
the generations to come from having a healthy relationship with the
environment, where "healthy" means the chance to experience these Signs." -
Unquote.
To read more on the environment, click this link:
http://homepages.iol.ie/~afifi/Articles/environment.htm
Fee Amaanillaah,
Your sister,
K a r i m a
