Reflection on climate change

Muslims in defence of the environment.

Climate change is a topic that is becoming increasingly urgent and relevant in the scientific and political debate. However, discussions on this issue are often characterized by fierce and divisive tones and do not lead to constructive solutions. Furthermore, human action on the environment is causing fatal consequences both on the planet and on its inhabitants, and this requires serious reflection and awareness.

Currently, devastating climatic phenomena are taking place in Italy, and manifest themselves in apparently opposite forms; hail, storms and rainfall in the North of the country for example; and fires, malodorous smoke, hot and suffocating winds blowing in the South. All this leads to the same effect: rubble, death, terror, ideological clashes, plus the spread of false information.

It is important to contemplate nature as a symbol of elevation and knowledge, and not fall into the trap of self-centered interpretations. In this sense, Dante's meditation on nature can offer valuable support for the understanding of the evident signs of our world. Moreover, Islamic sources offer an important reflection on the relationship between man and nature.

– Dante's reflection in the Divine Comedy

In the Divine Comedy, Dante denotes on nature in various passages, including canto VI of the Inferno, where he describes a group of gourmands. Dante meets a category of damned souls who represent the gourmands. The poet's description of the group of gourmands almost seems to prefigure the climatic phenomena we are experiencing today. “Huge hail, and water sombre-hued, and snow, Athwart the tenebrous air pour down amain; Noisome the earth is, that receiveth this. [Inf. VI, 10-12].

Dante describes how the damned souls of the gourmands are bound to lie in the rain, hail and snow that precipitates from above, creating mud, thence to a fetid ground. Hailstorm, tinted water and snow represent the torments that damned souls have to endure in the circle of gourmands. The dark air suggests a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere, which contributes to making the situation of the damned souls even more unbearable. "Pute" indicates the unpleasant smell that emanates from the ground transformed by rain into mud, hail and snow.

Dante's reflection is an inspiration to consider nature as a precious gift that must be respected and protected. Religion and science are not contrasting, but distinct and in balance. Man must live religiously to respect the environment and the creatures, and participate in a universal prayer. It is important to look at nature as a symbol and a possibility of elevation and knowledge without falling into the trap of self-centered interpretations.

– Reflection of Islamic scholars on the relationship between man and creation

Islamic scholars such as I Ibn Arabi, Al-Ghazali e Rumi reflected on the beauty of nature and on the relationship between man and creation. According to Ibn Arabi, nature is an open book that teaches us to get to know God. Al-Ghazali underlined the importance of caring for nature as an expression of respect for divine creation. Rumi saw a manifestation of divine love in nature and invited man to live in harmony with it.

Furthermore, the Quran teaches that man has an obligation to preserve nature and to avoid any form of waste or destruction. The balance of nature is fundamental to the welfare of humanity and man has the task of protecting divine creation:

« He it is Who created The Heavens and the earth in six Days, then He established Himself on the Throne. He knows What enters within the earth and what comes fourth out Of it, what comes down From heaven and what mounts Up to it. And He is with you wheresoever ye May be. And Allah sees Well all that ye do» . [Surat AL-HADÎD,4]

«And the earth We have spread out [like a carpet]; set thereon Mountains firm and immovable; And produced therein all kinds Of things in due balance». [Surat AL-HIJR, 19]

«(…) nor spread corruption in the land after it has been set in order. This is for your own good, if you are ˹truly˺ believers.» (Sura AL-A‘RÂ,85).

«And do No mischief on the earth After it has been set In order: (…)» (Sura AL-A‘RÂ, 56).

Furthermore, Prophet Mohamed ﷺ encouraged Muslims to take care of nature and to avoid any form of waste or destruction. In this regard, the prophet ﷺ said: "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him."[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhari]

Dante's meditation on nature and the reflections of Islamic scholars is for us an inspiration to contemplate nature as a precious gift from Allah ﷺ, that requires our respect and protection. Only through a conscious religious life can man naturally exercise his responsibilities towards the environment and creatures. Whomsoever prays and serves Allah ﷺ participates in a universal prayer, as is stated in the Quran:

«The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, Declare His glory: There is not a thing But celebrates His praise; And yet ye understand not How they declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forebearing, Most Forgiving»
[Surat AL-ISRÂ’, 44]

Editorial Team