Environmental Protection in Islamic Thought

The environment is a multiplicative and variable unit, and the continuance of the human material life is entirely dependent on its survival. Due to its connection with human life as the focal point of discussions related to guidance, the environment is of particular importance and position in Islamic thought. There are hundreds of verses and narrations about this divine blessing in Islamic sources that can be used to create a comprehensive, disciplined and enforceable system. In Islam, the environment is in the conquest of human, but it is not such that he has unconditional freedom to exploit it. Islam regards the environment as a divine treasure, and, while allowing the use of its resources, it never allows the invasion and aggression to the elements forming it. Hence, this research attempts to find ways for protecting the environment as a human right based on Islamic thought. Ultimately, one can protect the environment according to Islamic and ethical thoughts regarding individual criteria such as the rule of “prohibition of detriment”, and social criteria such as “enjoining good and forbidding wrong” and legislation.