Environmental stewardship is an act of worship: The Islamic response to climate change, environmental degradation (Part 3)

Within the Ghanaian context, environmental degradation has reached alarming proportions.

The destruction of forests, pollution of major rivers, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, bushfires, coastal erosion, and rapid urban expansion continue to undermine public health, agricultural productivity, and economic resilience (Environmental Protection Agency Ghana, 2024).

Particularly concerning is the widespread contamination of water bodies through illegal mining activities, which has rendered several rivers unsafe for domestic use and increased the cost of water treatment. These realities illustrate the tangible consequences of fasād described in the Qur’an more than fourteen centuries ago.

Islam does not merely prohibit environmental destruction; it encourages believers to become agents of restoration (iṣlāḥ). The Qur’an consistently contrasts corruption with reform, calling believers to promote justice, preserve creation, and contribute positively to society.

Environmental restoration through reforestation, river conservation, responsible waste management, and sustainable agriculture therefore constitutes an important dimension of iṣlāḥ.

Every effort to restore degraded ecosystems is not only a contribution to national development but also an act of obedience to Allah.

Understanding environmental degradation as fasād fundamentally reshapes the Muslim response to today’s ecological crises.

Pollution is no longer viewed merely as poor sanitation, nor deforestation as simply an economic issue. They become moral failures that violate humanity’s covenant as Khalifah and threaten the balance established by Allah.

This ethical perspective provides a compelling foundation for addressing one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges—illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey-which represents one of the clearest manifestations of environmental corruption in contemporary society.

Illegal mining (Galamsey): An Islamic and national crisis

Among the many environmental challenges confronting Ghana today, none has generated greater national concern than illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Although mining has contributed significantly to Ghana’s economic development for decades, illegal mining has evolved into a major environmental, social, and governance crisis.

The indiscriminate use of heavy machinery, excavation of farmlands, destruction of forest reserves, and pollution of rivers with mercury and other toxic substances have left lasting scars on the nation’s natural resources.

Beyond its environmental consequences, galamsey raises profound moral and ethical questions that demand reflection from an Islamic perspective.

Ghana continues to experience substantial forest loss due to illegal mining, illegal logging, agricultural expansion and human settlement.

The degradation of forest reserves weakens biodiversity conservation, reduces carbon sequestration, and increases vulnerability to climate-related disasters such as flooding and drought (Forestry Commission Ghana, 2024).

The environmental cost of illegal mining is staggering. Rivers that once supplied clean drinking water and supported fishing communities have become heavily polluted. Productive agricultural lands have been rendered infertile, forests have been cleared indiscriminately, and biodiversity has suffered extensive loss.

These developments threaten food security, increase the cost of water treatment, reduce agricultural productivity, and compromise the health and livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians (United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], 2023; Environmental Protection Agency Ghana, 2024).

Climate resilience is also weakened by illegal mining. Forests serve as important carbon sinks, regulate rainfall patterns, protect watersheds, and reduce soil erosion. Their destruction accelerates land degradation and increases communities’ vulnerability to flooding and drought.

Consequently, the environmental damage caused by galamsey extends far beyond mining sites, affecting entire ecosystems and future generations.

From an Islamic standpoint, such destruction constitutes a clear violation of humanity’s responsibility as Khalifah. Allah entrusted human beings with the care of the earth, not its reckless exploitation.

While Islam recognises the legitimacy of earning a lawful livelihood through commerce, agriculture, industry, and the responsible extraction of natural resources, these activities must be conducted within the limits of justice, public welfare, and environmental responsibility.

Economic benefit can never justify the destruction of Allah’s creation or the endangerment of human life.

The Qur’an repeatedly condemns those whose pursuit of worldly gain results in widespread destruction. Allah says, “And when he goes away, he strives throughout the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals.

 And Allah does not like corruption” (Qur’an 2:205, Sahih International). Although revealed in a broader ethical context, this verse powerfully illustrates the destructive consequences of human greed.

The deliberate destruction of fertile land, vegetation, water bodies, and wildlife for short-term financial gain closely reflects the type of corruption condemned by the Qur’an.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established another enduring principle when he declared, “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 2341; Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik, Hadith 1461).

This legal maxim (lā ḍarar wa lā dirār) has become one of the foundational principles of Islamic jurisprudence. It requires Muslims to avoid actions that cause unjustifiable harm to individuals or society.

Illegal mining clearly violates this principle because its consequences extend far beyond those directly involved. Entire communities lose access to clean water, farmers lose their livelihoods, children face long-term health risks, and future generations inherit degraded ecosystems.

The crisis of galamsey also illustrates the relevance of the higher objectives of Islamic law (Maqāṣid al-Sharī’ah). The preservation of life (Hifz al-Nafs) is threatened when polluted rivers expose communities to toxic chemicals and waterborne diseases.

The preservation of wealth (Hifz al-Māl) is undermined through the destruction of farms, fisheries, and other sustainable sources of income. The preservation of intellect (Hifz al-‘Aql) is endangered by exposure to hazardous substances such as mercury, which can impair neurological development and cognitive function.

The preservation of lineage (Hifz al-Nasl) is compromised as environmental degradation jeopardises the health, livelihoods, and welfare of future generations. Even the preservation of religion (Hifz al-Dīn) is affected because Islam calls believers to uphold justice, fulfil trusts, and refrain from causing corruption on earth. Thus, galamsey undermines every major objective that Islamic law seeks to protect.

The issue is not solely an environmental problem but also a governance challenge. Weak enforcement of environmental regulations, corruption, inadequate land-use planning, and economic hardship have all contributed to the persistence of illegal mining.

Ghana has enacted laws to regulate mining activities and protect the environment, including the Minerals and Mining

Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, and the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124).

Furthermore, Article 41(k) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana places a civic duty on every citizen “to protect and safeguard the environment. Effective implementation of these legal frameworks requires political commitment, institutional integrity, and active public participation.