WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:08.769 A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah. 00:00:08.769 --> 00:00:14.769 Some Islamic models that lead to the protection and cleanliness of the environment. 00:00:14.769 --> 00:00:23.500 First, a clean environment is achieved when harmful objects are removed from the path. 00:00:23.500 --> 00:00:27.500 This is the lowest branch of faith, as established in the Sunnah. 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:30.500 The concept of "harm" is broader than one might think. 00:00:30.500 --> 00:00:38.500 For the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, told of a man who entered Paradise because he removed a thorny branch from the path. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:43.630 Second, Islam preserves plants and greenery. 00:00:43.630 --> 00:00:46.630 It is not permissible to cut down trees within the Sacred Precincts (Haram). 00:00:46.630 --> 00:00:50.630 This is something that has no parallel today among any other nation. 00:00:50.630 --> 00:00:58.630 Furthermore, Islam permits the establishment of protected zones (hima), which is an alternative to what is today called wildlife conservation. 00:00:58.630 --> 00:01:07.629 Islam encourages agriculture and explains that there is a reward for the owner when humans or animals eat from it. 00:01:07.629 --> 00:01:12.629 The most eloquent statement encouraging planting is the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: 00:01:12.629 --> 00:01:22.819 "If the Hour is about to be established and one of you has a palm shoot in his hand, if he is able to plant it before the Hour arrives, then let him plant it." 00:01:22.819 --> 00:01:25.819 Third, people say today: 00:01:25.819 --> 00:01:30.819 That a clean environment is one that utilizes solar energy. 00:01:30.819 --> 00:01:35.819 The lands of the Muslims are where the sun rises every day. 00:01:35.819 --> 00:01:39.819 Many of them are deserts where the sun almost never disappears. 00:01:39.819 --> 00:01:45.819 As for the West, they would perish if the temperature reached forty degrees. 00:01:45.819 --> 00:01:51.109 Fourth, just as Islam encourages a clean environment, 00:01:51.109 --> 00:01:55.109 It likewise encourages cleanliness of the body and appearance. 00:01:55.109 --> 00:02:01.109 It commands ablution (wudu), bathing (ghusl), the use of the toothstick (siwak), circumcision, and the like. 00:02:01.109 --> 00:02:07.180 Fifth, among the greatness of this religion is that it has legislated cleanliness for us. 00:02:07.180 --> 00:02:12.180 When the Prophet, peace be upon him, saw a man with disheveled hair, 00:02:12.180 --> 00:02:17.180 He said, "Could he not find something to groom his hair with?" 00:02:17.180 --> 00:02:21.180 And he saw another man wearing dirty clothes, 00:02:21.180 --> 00:02:27.180 So he said, "Could he not find water to wash his garment with?" 00:02:27.180 --> 00:02:33.340 He legislated the siwak for us, which has benefits or features not found in others. 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:40.430 Among them is the ease of carrying it, and the Muslim uses it many times throughout the day and night. 00:02:40.430 --> 00:02:47.430 Sixth, the Muslims preceded the Westerners in protecting the environment, and they continue to do so. 00:02:47.430 --> 00:02:52.430 For Allah, the Exalted, has established a secure sanctuary where its thorns may not be cut, 00:02:52.430 --> 00:02:56.430 Its vegetation may not be uprooted, and its game may not be startled. 00:02:56.430 --> 00:03:02.430 This is the greatest protection for the environment, wildlife, and greenery.