AS we celebrate today (Aug 26) the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) — the greatest human being ever — this is an opportune time to remember and follow his noble teachings for the welfare of mankind and all living creatures. While he gave us a complete way of life, grounded in social and human values, and taught us about human rights and dignity, he also inculcated in us a deep sense of responsibility towards nature.
Among his many teachings, the Prophet emphasised the importance of planting trees. Planting trees even when one has no chance of watching them grow in one’s own lifetime is an act of continuing charity. In Prophet’s vision, the Earth was never simply something to possess or exploit. Long before terms, such as ‘climate change’, ‘conservation’, ‘sustainability’ and ‘carbon footprints’ entered our vocabulary, the Holy Prophet embodied responsibility towards nature as an obligation to Almighty. His extraordinary vision for protecting nature is reflected both in times of peace and war. He had declared Madina a sacred sanctuary, protecting its trees and wildlife through enforceable laws and making it one of the earliest legally-protected ecological zones. He also developed the principle of hima (protected areas), establishing a protected zone in the valley south of Madinah called Al-Naqi for the benefit of the community. Researchers affiliated with the International Union for Conser- vation of Nature (IUCN) recognise hima as one of the oldest continuously practised conservation systems. His traditions also warn humans against harming animals, disturbing birds and their young, and destroying bees and their hives. The underlying ethic throughout has always been of restraint.
That restraint really extended even to the battlefield. Military expeditions were never licensed for destruction. Trees were not to be cut without cause; fruit-bearing trees, palm groves, fields and crops were to be protected. Centuries before interna- tional humanitarian law addressed the environmental cost of war, the Prophet had already established a clear boundary: victory could never really justify needless destruction of the Earth and environment.
Today, the world lives in an age that is obsessed with concrete buildings and infrastructure, but the Prophet’s focus was always on cultivating life. He asked people to dig a well, plant a tree, protect a grove, and leave space where children could breathe and birds could nest. He encouraged us to think about conservation of the planet and human life at large. To follow the Prophet’s way of life and his teachings is to live in gentleness with Earth. The modern world can become a better place if we follow the Prophet’s teachings.
Uzma Syed
Rawalpindi
Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2026
