Our physical world comprises of the environment, and all other living creatures in it. The trees, the animals, the rivers, the birds, the insects – each one has a purpose. Imagine if there were no birds to eat the worms. We would have a world swarming with wriggly worms! Allah has set everything in order on the Earth for our benefit.
It is, therefore, our duty to take care of our environment and everything in it. How do we help our children learn the importance of environment from an Islamic perspective? Read this article for simple and practical tips:
The Prophet ﷺ passed by Sa’d while he was performing Wudu. The Prophet ﷺ said, “What is this extravagance?”
Sa’d said, “Is there extravagance with water in ablution?”
The Prophet said, “Yes, even if you were on the banks of a flowing river.”
[Musnad Aḥmad 7065]
Look at how the Prophet ﷺ has advised us to be mindful in using the bounties given to us by Allah.
1. Plant a tree!
The Prophet ﷺ said “If a Muslim plants a tree or cultivates a crop, then whenever a bird or a man or an animal eats from it, it will be considered as a charity for him.” [Muslim]
Isn’t that wonderful?
You don’t necessarily have to look for a wasteland; ask your child to plant a tree in your backyard or in a pot. And leave it there for birds to eat from it and make their homes in it.
Pat yourself on the back and say Alhamdulillah that Allah put this noble thought in your mind and made you to accomplish it as well!
2. Help every creature around you!
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is a reward for service to every living creature.” [Bukhari]
Don’t belittle any act of kindness you do. Ask your child to leave some food out for the stray cats and dogs. Place a bowl of water on your balconies for the birds to drink from it. Water the plants and tend to them. Let your child know that these are the gifts of Allah on this earth, and they have to take care of it in order to be grateful to Allah.
3. Remove harmful things from the way!
The Prophet ﷺ said: “A man passing along a road found a thorny branch leaning over the road and pushed it away. Allah appreciated his action and forgave his sins.” [Tirmidhi]
How easy is that! And how kind is our Lord! He forgives our sins for simply removing a branch from the road that may have caused harm to someone else. There is something even more beautiful to this:
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever removes something harmful from the path of Muslims, a good deed will be written for him, and whose good deed is accepted (by Allaah) will enter Paradise.” [Bukhari]
Be it a banana peel, a piece of trash, a branch, a bag or anything; if you find it on the street, pick it and throw it in the garbage. Encourage your child to do the same.
4. Be kind to Animals!
The Prophet ﷺ said, “A woman was tortured for a cat she imprisoned until it died. She went to hell because of it, having neither fed it nor watered it, for she confined it and would not let it go forage on the small creatures of the earth.” [al-Bukhari]
Allahuakbar!
It is not funny to torture any animal. The Prophet ﷺ, whose company we long for, has asked Allah to curse those people who target animals for fun.
May Allah protect us from being with such people!
Our Prophet ﷺ would take good care of all animals and it would make him sad to see people misusing them. He once entered a garden among the Ansar. When a camel saw the Prophet SAW, it started weeping and making sounds as its tears flowed. The Prophet SAW came to it and patted it on the head, so it became silent. The Prophet SAW said, “Who is the master of this camel? To whom does it belong?” A young man from the Ansar came and said, “This is mine, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet said, “Do you not fear Allah regarding this animal that Allah has put in your possession? Verily, she has complained to me that you keep her hungry and tired.” [Abu Dawud]
SubhanAllah!
5. Don’t misuse the Earth!
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Beware of two cursed practices”. The companions said: ‘What are the two cursed practices?’ The Prophet ﷺ answered: “A person answering the call of nature in a public thoroughfare or in a shady place (where people rest).” [Muslim]
Places of rest shouldn’t be ruined by doing inappropriate acts. For example: teach your child that when they are in a swimming pool or at the beach, if they have the urge to urinate, they must step out and do so in the washroom.
The Prophet ﷺ has always advised us to not cause harm to anyone.
Allah’s bounties are uncountable. He doesn’t benefit in any way by giving them to us. But He loves us so much that He has placed all of it for us to enjoy. Hence, we should always be thankful to Allah for these blessings and show our gratitude to Him by taking care of it!
Have Muslim Kids take charge of this one!
- TAKE CARE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT:
https://www.muslimkids.tv/main/#ebook-details?ebook_id=40
- EARTH’S TREASURES
https://www.muslimkids.tv/main/#ebook-details?ebook_id=39