Community: Islam
Return to stories about caring for our planet.
Background:
Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was the last in a long line of Prophets going all the way back to Adam, and that he was God’s final messenger on earth. He was described as having a merciful character, and this mercy extended not just to humans but also to the care he showed for the natural world.
Below is a story which comes from the Hadith, a collection of many stories about the Prophet Muhammad and the things he said and did.
Follow up questions:
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What are some of the reasons which Muslims might give for looking after animals?
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What teachings might Islam hold regarding other aspects of nature, and why?
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The man was careful to make sure he had enough water and shade in the hot sun. Was it wrong for him to take care of himself?
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Muslims often describe their relationship to the environment as stewardship or caretaking. How do you think this might show in behaviour?
Care for the Planet
The Prophet was living in the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia. The region was a desert, dry and hot. Although it was a desert, there were many gardens in the city, with tall trees that provided shade. On particularly hot days, the city’s residents would go to the gardens to rest and keep cool.
The Prophet thoroughly enjoyed walking in these gardens. He would quietly contemplate as he walked, and took pleasure from the sounds of birds singing in the trees. He smiled at people as he walked by them.
One day when he was walking, the Prophet heard a strange and unpleasant noise that sounded like howling or wailing. He thought it might be somebody crying. He followed the noise, and as he got closer he realised that the noise was coming from a camel which was very distressed. The camel was tied to a post in the beating sun without any shade, and the camel had tears running down its face.
The Prophet tried to comfort the camel. He stroked it until eventually the camel calmed down and stopped crying. But the Prophet Muhammad was upset to have found an animal in such a state. He walked through the garden trying to find the owner, ‘Who owns this camel?’ he said? Eventually, someone answered, ‘I do’. A man stepped out from the shade of a large tree. This man was not hot or thirsty. The Prophet addressed him in a gentle voice. He reminded him that his camel was one of God’s creatures and part of God’s creation. The camel would carry large, heavy loads often for very long distances, and the Prophet reminded the man that he should take great care of his animal. The owner’s head drooped. He deeply regretted what he had done- ensuring that he himself was comfortable on a hot day whilst his camel was thirsty, uncomfortable and distressed. From that day he took great care of his animals and always made sure that they had enough to eat and drink. The camel never shed another tear.