Allah made the earth, the heavens, the seas and their contents, living and non-living, subservient to humans. Humans can make use of them for their benefit and can change them in various ways. The Qur’an has given the following examples to illustrate this subservience: rivers, seas, animals, day & night, the biological clock, the sun, the moon, the stars, mountains, time, and plants[i]. Islam requires that the use of the universe be balanced and responsible taking into consideration the overall benefit of the ecosystem today and in the future.

HUMAN EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, istighlaal al basher li al mawaarid al tabi ‘iyyat

Allah provides sustenance in the form of food for all living things on earth[ii]. The food we eat is from Allah[iii]. Allah provides a variety of foods[iv]. Humans need food as a biological necessity[v]. Water is the source of all life[vi]. It can irrigate arid land and return it to productivity[vii]. It is needed for growth of plants[viii]. It can be from the atmosphere in the form of clouds and rain[ix]. It can also be obtained from wells dug into the ground[x]. The large body of water in the oceans has many benefits for humans[xi]. It is a means of transportation[xii]. It has an abundance of fish and other sea animals that are food for humans[xiii]. Its waves can be turned into hydroelectric energy. The rich mineral deposits on the ocean floor have not yet been exploited[xiv]. Recently mining of off shore oil is introducing pollution that was not known before in seawater. Fire is the earliest and still the most important energy source. Allah gave humans fire for many uses[xv]. It is used in building[xvi], manufacture[xvii], smelting iron[xviii], providing heat in cold weather[xix], and providing light[xx]. Besides fire and heat, humans use other sources of energy: wind, electricity, light, sound, mechanical, nuclear, chemical, solar, and magnetic energy.

THE HUMAN INTELLECT and TASKHIR, al ‘aql al bashari wa al taskhiir

The human is not biologically the best-endowed creation of Allah. There are many animals bigger, stronger, and faster than humans. Humans are however able to control and use them because of a more developed brain and intellect. It is the intellect that enables humans to understand Allah’s signs in the universe and to benefit from them[xxi]. Human intellect enabled the development and use of tools. This gave humans more ability to exploit and benefit from the earth’s natural resources.

TOOL-MAKING and TECHNOLOGY: DOUBLE EDGED SWORD

Tools and machines are double-edged swords. They on one hand enable a more effective use of resources but give humans more power to destroy the eco-system. The first tools were for cutting food or hunting and were made of wood. Later stone and metals were made. For millennia human and animal muscles provided the energy to turn the machines. During the industrial revolution, heat energy was used. Later chemical, electrical and nuclear energy were discovered. Humans now have a lot of potential to change the ecosystem. Humans are beginning to explore space and may also change its environment. It will be a test of human restraint that the mistakes made on earth are not repeated in space.

LIMITS OF TASKHIIR, huduud al taskhiir

Humans must always remember that taskhir is temporary and on specific matters. Allah could at any time and for reasons understandable to humans or not understandable take away their control over other creations. Human control and exploitation of the universe is not complete or perfect. Unfortunately humans in their arrogance do not understand that there are limits to taskhiir. The destruction of the environment has been due to the lack of self-limitation and care in the exploitation of the universe.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF TASKHIR

Islam in many of its teachings reminds humans of the responsibilities of taskhiir. Humans must always remember that taskhir is a privilege and not a right so they must always remember the ultimate creator. When slaughtering an animal for food the human must mention the name of Allah who has made that animal subservient to the human in the food chain. If this is not done the meat cannot lawfully be eaten. All life is important and cannot be destroyed except with Allah’s permission under the privilege of taskhir. This is also the basis for the basmalah when eating or when slaughtering.