Yesterday, 5th December, 2021, a Nigerian Muslim women’s group, Women in Da’awah (WID) planted trees at the newly commissioned Permanent Site of Muslim Professionals in Da’awah (MPD) National Secretariat, APO, Abuja.
Women in Da’awah, an umbrella group of Muslim Women Organizations involved in education, enlightenment, outreach and advocacy on women issues in Nigeria.
Planting Trees in Islam
Islam is sensitive to the keeping the environment healthy and clean which is included in the obligation of human being. The Islamic tradition is rich in references about our responsibility as Muslims to act as stewards of the environment.
The Holy Qur’an offers a completely integrated view of the universe, where the human soul and the environment, mind and matter are all part of one living, conscious whole. Therefore, it exhorts man to live a balanced, moderate and an eco-friendly life without causing any harm to nature. It says, for instance: “And do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.” (Qur’an, 2:60), and elsewhere: “And do not desire corruption in the land. Indeed, God does not like corruptors.” (Qur’an 28:77).
From the Qur’anic perspective, corruption on the earth is not confined to only political crimes, such as frauds, theft, rape, illegal banking or other prevalent malpractices. Deforestation, dumping toxic wastes and indiscriminate use of pesticides are also grave corruption on the earth and hence brazen violation of Islamic values. This corruption is today rampant at all levels of public and social life in this age of consumerism and covetousness. It is indeed a matter of grave concern for the entire human kind. Also, the Quran also has numerous passages that describe the lush gardens and trees in heaven, highlighting their value not only in this world but their significance in the hereafter.
Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an:
And He is the One Who has made you vicegerents in the earth and exalted some of you over others in ranks, so that He may test you by means of (things) which He has bestowed upon you (as a trust). [Surah Al-Anam Ch. 6 : verse 165]
The principle of responsible stewardship extends to how one treats nature in general, whether trees, rivers, forests, soil or anything else in the earth. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) narrated great virtues of planting trees and encouraged his followers to plant trees. Even in a state of war, he prohibited Muslims from cutting down trees or plants.
There are several sayings from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) that relate the importance of trees and plants in Islam.
In a hadith from Jabir (may Allah blesses him), that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) says,
ما من مسلم يَغرس غَرسا إلا كان ما أُكل منه له صدقة، وما سُرق منه له صدقة
“When a Muslim plants a tree, whatever is eaten from it is charity from him and whatever is stolen is charity and whatever is subtracted from it is charity” [Saheeh Muslim].
In another hadith from Anas bin Malik (may Allah blesses him), that the Messenger of Allah says,
مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَغْرِسُ غَرْسًا أَوْ يَزْرَعُ زَرْعًا فَيَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ طَيْرٌ أَوْ إِنْسَانٌ أَوْ بَهِيمَةٌ إِلَّا كَانَ لَهُ بِهِ صَدَقَةٌ
“No Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds and then a bird, or a human, or an animal eats from it but that it is charity for him” [Saheeh Bukhari & Muslim].
Shaikh Ibn Baz said, “All Mu’min (believers) people should have high energy and good will in all kind of good deeds. Cultivation, planting, watering, water, anything that benefits people. With good intention, hoping for the reward of God. Such as planting and farming, finding water factories for people, a flowering place for people, facilitating the road, removing harm from roads, etc.”
May Almighty Allah reward the tree planters. Aameen.
