Sultan Nazrin: Habitat destruction a grave sin in Islam

New Straits Times

26-06-2025

IPOH: Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah has issued a stark warning that the increasing presence of wild animals in human-populated areas signals a deeper environmental crisis, the intrusion and destruction of their natural habitats.
"When wild animals begin approaching human settlements, it is a sign that their habitats have been disturbed and encroached upon.
"Destroying habitats and endangering the lives of other creatures is regarded in Islam as a grave sin, and those who commit such acts are condemned," he said in his speech at the state-level Maal Hijrah 1447 celebration, themed Migration and Sustainability: Uniting the Muslim Community, Preserving the Earth at the Casuarina @ Meru Hotel here, tonight.
Also present were Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim; Raja Di-Hilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
Sultan Nazrin said Islam firmly prohibits all forms of pollution that harm the environment. A damaged ecosystem, he said, not only affects humankind but also disrupts the balance of the entire natural world, leading to disaster and danger.
"It is profoundly irresponsible for individuals, whom Allah has blessed with intellect and reason, to knowingly choose the path of destruction.
"Let us reflect. Let us awaken. The worsening disasters afflicting our earth are the result of human transgression by those who are ungrateful, who overstep boundaries, defy divine commands, and violate the rights of fellow creations.
"It is a collective sin that breeds imbalance and suffering. Every individual, and every stratum of society, bears the shared responsibility (fard kifayah) to ensure a balanced approach to development, one that does not come at the expense of environmental preservation.
"A just and sustainable future must be founded on harmony between progress and the protection of the natural world," he said.
He said this year's Maal Hijrah theme reflects an awakening to the reality that the Earth is a divine trust to be safeguarded and handed down to future generations.
Sultan Nazrin added that the world is facing a series of environmental phenomena that have triggered widespread disasters, endangering both human well-being and the sustainability of our planet.
He said the growing population, rising urban density, land clearing for new settlements, infrastructure development, urban expansion, and industrial activity have all directly impacted the natural environment.
"These developments should serve as a wake-up call, urging all sectors of society to come together in addressing the escalating environmental crisis.
"Islam, as a comprehensive and holistic way of life, places great emphasis on the protection of the environment and regards efforts to preserve it as an act of worship," he said.
Sultan Nazrin said the Earth is home not only to humankind but to countless creatures - animals, birds, marine life, plants, and natural resources - all part of a divinely designed ecosystem.
"When natural habitats are destroyed, the consequences ripple outward. The encroachment of wild animals into human settlements often signals serious ecological imbalance," he said.
He added that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not present faith as mere ritual; rather, he lived as a model of compassion for all living beings and called upon the Muslim community to care for the Earth and preserve its balance.
"He taught that humanity and nature are intimately connected, when the Earth is harmed, we all suffer. Therefore, to care for the Earth is to fulfil a spiritual obligation, a visible expression of devotion to the Creator," he said.