Ecocriticism in the Holy Quran

Maysa Hussein
Ecocriticism is the study of literature and environment from an interdisciplinary point of view. And because this relationship, Romantic poets relay deeply in explaining the effect of nature and landscapes on their poetic language in order to create the imagination in the common people,for reconnect the relations between human and nature, which split because of World Wars and the industrial revolution. Similarly, Modernist poets use this perspective to reattach people with their land and heritage as a way to resist the colonization of their lands, including but not limited to, Mahmoud Darwish's 'The Land' and 'The Hoopoe', and W.B. Yeats's 'The Lake of Isle of Innisfree' and 'Under Ben Bulben'.
But this important connection has been mentionedbefore more than 1400 AD, in the Holy Quran in which the verses organized the relationship between nature and human such as in "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding." (Aal ‘Imran, 3:190) or "And We did not create the heavens and earth and that between them in play." (Al- Dukhan, 44:38). The Holy Quran shows the value of life, and how human have to respect every creature in nature, not to deal with them as their own objects, especially with thebelief of his ecocentrist existence. As well, Allah created man as his guardian (Khalifa) on the ground, making the land habitation of man, and to ensure that human needs can be provided.
This natural right comes with the responsibilityto show mercy and justice, through setting out guidelines spiritual and moral for a man "And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys." (Luqman, 31:19). However, in our time all these commandments are ignored, which resulted in human corruption and how it is related to environmental pollution, and caused serious implications for the world in which we live.
"Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]" (Quran 30:41). In which, this verse talks about the ecological change that causes personal change. Especially, Quran encourages us as a first rule to reduce, reuse, and recycle things, not to be wasteful “But waste not by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters” (Quran 6:141).
Secondly, The importance of planting trees as a good deed is highlighted, which Prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace, said "If the Day of Judgment is starting and there is a faseela (seed or sapling) in the hand of one of you, if you can plant it before the Day of Judgment starts, then you should (go on and) plant it." (Silsila Saheeha).
Thirdly, Islam also teaches humans that all creatures of God, whether it be the tiny ant or the huge lion, serves a certain purpose “There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you." (Quran 6:38) This verse reinforces the scientific concept of ‘chain of life,’ with each species depending on another and together maintaining the balance of life on earth.

Finally, the word "earth" occurs approximately 500 times in the Koran. Preservation of the environment is one of the main objectives of the law include these objectives to maintain the life and thoughts, progeny, wealth and religion. We have a responsibility before Allah to help keep this world andbounties tt Allah gave us.