There are distinctive provisions admonishing urination in waterlines, under fruit trees, on roads and in places that people may rest and keeping animals at a distance from the wells. It is even stated that these acts are actually forbidden in Islam.
The hadiths point to the need to keep the masjids clean, not to urinate by the water sources, river sides and stagnant water;
"Any of you shall not urinate in dead water because they may do ablution with that water later" (Bukhari, Muslim)
The Prophet s.a.w had been closely involved with the environment and nature ever since he was a child. He explains that he used to be a shepherd like other prophets a.s.: "When the Prophet s.a.w said 'Allah swt did not send a prophet who did not herd cattle,' the Companions rz.a said: "The Messenger of Allah, have you also herded cattle?" He replied: "Yes, indeed I have herded sheep of Meccans for a little money "((Bukhara, Ibn Maja).
Moreover, the Prophet s.a.w owned many animals (horse, sheep, goat, etc.), orchards and gardens in later parts of his life. Therefore, the Prophet s.a.w displayed some exemplary behavior in the greening and afforesting of the environment.
One of his greatest efforts in this context was to afforest an area called "Zuraybu't Taweel," where he announced: "Whoever cuts a tree here should plant a new tree instead." Together with this regulation the area shortly turned into a forest. The Prophet s.a.w also declared an area of 12 mile distance from the center of Medina as haram and also prohibited the cutting of trees and the killing of animals within its borders.
The existence of many hadiths that encourage the greening and afforesting of the environment clearly reflects the Prophet s.a.w's concern thereof.
"If a Muslim plants a tree or grow grains and a bird, a person or an animal eats from it will be counted as a charity for him."
(Bukhari, Muslim,Mishkat)
"If any of you have a date sapling on the doomsday he should plant it -if possible."
(Bukhari, Adabu'l-mufred).
The aim here is to make people understand the importance of planting trees.
"Whoever plants a tree is rewarded by Allah swt as much as the produce grown in that tree."
(Musnad Ahmad b.Hanbal)
"Whoever plants a tree and diligently looks after it until it matures and bears fruit is rewarded,"
(Musnad Ahmad b.Hanbal)
"Whoever plants a tree and it matures, Allah swt plants a tree in paradise for that person."
(Musnad Ahmad b.Hanbal).
The Prophet s.a.w also emphasized the role of love in treating the environment with care and affection. He has expressed his love for Mountain Uhud as:
"This is a mount which likes us; we also love it." (Bukhari,Musnad Ahmad b.Hanbal)
Without making any differentiation Islam has preached the equal responsibility of human beings to all living creatures. Just as important as the human rights, it is crucial to observe the rights of the animals. A person has the obligation to show compassion and mercy to other living beings.
""A slave who is mumin is the one who is relieved from the exhaustion and suffering of this world to theMercyof Allah, and a wrong-acting slave is the one from whom people, towns, trees and animals are relieved."
"Those who are not merciful will not be get mercy" (Bukhari, Muslim)
These hadiths show that we should be merciful not only to humans but also to other living creatures.
The Prophet s.a.w. has prohibited practices against animals such as hitting them, practicing shooting by targeting them, inciting them to fight, hunting for fun, and using a slingshot to hunt them. It is mentioned in hadiths that the humans will be accounted for their bad treatment of animals.
By saying, "Allah will ask those who kill a sparrow unfairly on the day of judgment." (Muslim) the Prophet s.a.w asked people not to torture animals. He forbade cauterizing and cursing animals, ruining bird nests, and removing chicks from their nest. He also wanted people to keep domestic animals and their sheds clean and to treat their cubs with compassion. Considering even a cat as a family member, he stated that every good deed concerning an animal would be rewarded.
Treating animals in a humane manner and abandoning traditions that harm them is an irrefutable precondition of being civilized.
As the greatest environmentalist, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w had affirmative practices in relation to the environment throughout his life. At the root of the hadiths which are related to the environment lie sensitivity for nature and a consciousness to protect it
