Aligarh

"The Prophet (of Islam) was very fond of planting trees and used to exhort his companions to do the same by saying that whoever plants a tree and takes care of, he will get his reward.” This was said by Dr. Faiza Abbasi, Director, UGC Human Resource Development Center, during a talk on climate change at the AMU’s Khaliq Ahmad Nizami Center for Quranic Studies.

Dr. Faiza said, "Planting trees is an ongoing charity in Islam. Whenever a person or an animal takes refuge in the shade of a tree or enjoys its fruit, the planter will be rewarded even after his death."

She said: The challenges of global warming and climate change can be reduced by increasing the greening of the planet. Dr. Faiza said that Islam teaches humanity to take care of the earth.

Muslims believe that mankind must act as guardians of the planet, and that they are accountable to Allah Almighty for their actions. This is a powerful concept of stewardship and has been used in the Islamic Declaration on Climate Change to change environmental policy in Muslim countries.

She emphasized that this is an opportune time to consider the issue as world leaders have gathered for COP 27 at Sherm-el-Sheikh, Egypt. Referring to the mention of trees in the Holy Quran, Dr. Faiza said that soon a garden containing these trees and plants will be developed at Khaliq Ahmed Nizami Center.

ALSO READ: Anti-Hijab stir: Iran team refuses to sing national anthem at FIFA

Presiding over the sermon, Prof. Abdul Rahim Qadwai (Honorary Director, Khaliq Ahmad Nizami Center) said: Faith-based environmental movements and Islamic eco-theology in particular, are gaining importance as a multi-disciplinary approach across the world. Dr. Arshad Iqbal also discussed the plants mentioned in the Holy Quran.