Religion and Environment With Reliance on Verses Concerning Environment from Shia and Sunni Perspectives

Sometimes an issue which is commonplace tends to become vague and obscure to some people. Among such issues is the sanctity of nature and respect for environment according to undistorted divine teachings. Yet some Western intellectuals such as M-White are of the view that the present crises in the environmental arena emanate from a religious attitude to environment. They maintain that religious teachings concerning environment is responsible for the destruction of the gift of nature in today's world. This allegation needs to be investigated properly. Most certainly, the influence of Aristotelian thoughts in Ancient Rome fortifies the Christian thoughts of people like M-White whereas in fact, there are numerous verses in the Holy Quran which, according to both Shia and Sunni sects, expresses in clear terms Islam's standpoint concerning environment. According to the Quran, man is a trustee and responsible for protection of these great divine gifts and that the Quran offers principles for his conduct towards nature.