POLLUTION

POLLUTION Failure of Man POLLUTION of any kind is against the scheme of God, the Creator. It is man’s duty to maintain the purity of nature. Failure to do so is a sin and a crime. Man is permitted to exploit natural resources but without destroying the natural order of things. Here are two related verses from the Quran: Do not corrupt the land after it has been set in order. This is for your own good, if you are true believers. (7: 85) Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what men’s hands have done: and so He will make them taste the fruit of some of their doings, so that they may turn back from evil. (30: 41) These two verses state that God Almighty has created things in their best order and man may enjoy these things for his own benefit. But he is not allowed to destroy the balance of nature. Man was born as a free creature, but man’s freedom ends where his mismanagement of nature begins. In these verses, the Quran refers to land pollution and water pollution by name, but in their general application, all kinds of pollution are included, such as air pollution, noise pollution, etc. Man is not the creator of this world but is a beneficiary of God’s creation. Man ought to be aware of this fact; transgressing will prove to be disastrous for him. All pollution is manmade (nature never creates any kind of pollution). While he has the capacity to pollute nature, he does not have the power to create another world. Being sinful before God and depriving himself of the only source of life, that is, nature, is a double loss for man. This state of affairs requires great caution, else he will be compelled to pay a very heavy price for his negligence. We should utilise natural bounties with great care and responsibility, because there are no alternatives to the present world. We can enjoy this world but have no power to create a new world. Man is not the creator of this world but is a beneficiary of God's creation. Man ought to be aware of this fact; transgressing will prove to be disastrous for him.