PETALING JAYA: Concerned by the numerous environmental issues plaguing the country, the Perlis Fatwa Committee has come up with a fatwa (edict) on environmental pollution.
Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Asri Zainul Abidin (pic) said the committee declared that any act that pollutes the environment and affects direct physical harm to humans, animals and plants is forbidden, except if there is a greater interest (maslahah) or in order to avoid a clear harm (mafsadah).
“Every Muslim is obliged to refrain from doing any activity and action that may cause environmental pollution, thus disturbing lives and the ecosystems directly.
“Any effort to safeguard the environment is encouraged by the religion and is considered as a good and pious practise,” Dr Asri told the Star Online on Tuesday.
The fatwa is dated Feb 18-19 this year.
Dr Asri said that Islam is a religion that upholds the well-being of human life and nature and that the purpose of shariah itself is to uphold the best interests (mafsadah).
Dr Asri pointed out the bauxite mining case in Kuantan, pollution of rivers and the burning of forests as the environmental issues affecting the country.
“We should be open-minded and should focus on the bigger picture instead of focusing on personal issues,” he said.
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