Fruitful Living
Islamic legal perspective on environmental protection (Final part)
ISLAMIC jurisprudence (Fiqh) is based on the maxim: “La darar wa la dirar” (Do not cause harm or reciprocate harm). (Hadith, Sunan Ibn Majah, 2340)
Harm to the environment is harm to humanity. The Maqasid al-Shariah (Objectives of Islamic Law) include the protection of: Life (Nafs), Wealth (Mal), Lineage (Nasl), Religion (Deen) and Intellect (‘Aql).
Environmental degradation undermines all of these objectives. Therefore, from an Islamic legal standpoint, damaging water bodies, polluting the air, and destroying biodiversity are major sins (kabaa’ir).
Conclusion
Environmental degradation in Ghana poses grave threats across multiple sectors—air, water, land, and biodiversity—with severe consequences for human survival and well-being.
In the water sector, illegal small-scale gold mining (galamsey) has led to toxic heavy metal pollution in rivers such as Pra and Ankobra, jeopardising both drinking water safety and aquatic life (Arthur et al.,2025).
These contaminants accumulate in the food chain, causing chronic illnesses and birth
defects in affected communities.
Urban sprawl and deforestation are rapidly diminishing Ghana’s forest cover, particularly in areas like Wa Municipality. This leads to loss of biodiversity, disrupted ecosystems, and climate vulnerability through increased surface temperatures and decreased rainfall (Anokye et al., 2025).
Agricultural lands are also being encroached upon, resulting in reduced crop yields, food insecurity, and the displacement of rural populations.
Air pollution from vehicle emissions, burning waste, and industrial activities—especially in major cities like Accra—has led to rising cases of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular illnesses, and reduced life expectancy, particularly among children and the elderly (Kazapoe et al., 2025).
Moreover, indiscriminate plastic disposal has overwhelmed waste management systems, leading to flooding during rainy seasons, which spreads waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid (Gonçalves et al., 2025).
Coastal regions such as Winneba and Cape Coast face severe coastal erosion and wetland destruction, threatening fishing livelihoods and increasing vulnerability to sea-level rise (Enock &Isaac, 2025).
Meanwhile, climate change exacerbates all these challenges— affecting rainfall patterns, increasing droughts, and undermining national development goals.
In sum, environmental degradation in Ghana is a multi-sectoral crisis that endangers public health, livelihoods, ecological stability, and national resilience, demanding urgent and coordinated policy action.
Islam provides a rich moral and legal framework for environmental stewardship. The Qur’an and Sunnah emphasise balance (mīzān), cleanliness (taharah), ansustainability (istidāmah).
As Allah’s vicegerents (khalifah) on earth, it is our duty to maintain the earth’s balance, preserve its beauty, and ensure that future generations inherit a livable planet.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) provides affordable healthcare. By law (Act 852, 2012), every Ghanaian resident must belong to the NHIS by registering. Once registered, a family gains access to a wide range of medical services. From an Islamic perspective, having health coverage is part of fulfilling one’s social responsibility: the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) taught that
one who provides for a sick or needy person is like one who worships in solitude (in reward). An Imam might cite the hadith “Whoever relieves a believer’s distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from a difficulty of the difficulties of the Hereafter” (Muslim).
Encouraging congregants to obtain NHIS cards ensures children can get vaccines and families can afford clinic visits, fulfilling the Quranic ideal of community care. Imams can organise special registration drives after Jumu‘ah, so the poor and elderly receive help signing up, noting that Act 852 even allows community agents to assist citizens.
Introduction
We started last week with a series on “The Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Churches” and ended on the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet – “The Alpha and Omega.” Enjoy part two of the article this week and share it with others!
Pentecost
Pentecost is ultimately a story of redemption.
As the tongues of fire rested upon the disciples, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in languages they had never learned.
Since people from many nations were present in Jerusalem, everyone heard the message of God proclaimed in their own language. The barriers that often divide humanity were overcome through the power of the Spirit.
The crowd was astonished. Some were amazed. Others were confused.
A few even accused the disciples of being drunk because the sounds they heard seemed incomprehensible to them.
At that moment, Peter stood up and delivered the first sermon of the New Testament Church.
Peter’s Pentecost sermon
Peter explained that what the people were witnessing was the fulfillment of the prophecy spoken centuries earlier by the prophet Joel:
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
Peter declared that Jesus of Nazareth, whom many had rejected and crucified, was indeed the promised Messiah. Though He was put to death, God raised Him from the dead because death could not hold Him.
Peter further proclaimed that the risen Christ had been exalted to the right hand of God and had poured out the promised Holy Spirit upon His followers.
His sermon culminated in this powerful declaration:
“Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:36)
The message pierced the hearts of the listeners.
The call to repentance
Convicted by Peter’s message, the people asked: “What shall we do?”
Peter responded: “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
This invitation was not limited to those standing before Peter that day.
The promise extended to:
- Their children.
- Future generations.
- People far away.
- Everyone whom God would call.
The gift of the Holy Spirit remains available today to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ.
The birth of the church
The Bible records that about three thousand people responded to Peter’s message and were added to the community of believers that day.
This remarkable harvest marked the birth of the Church.
For the first time, a Spirit-filled community emerged, united around the risen Christ and empowered to continue His mission.
These early believers were not creating a new religion. They understood Jesus to be the fulfillment of God’s promises and the long-awaited Messiah foretold by the prophets.
The Church began as a movement of people transformed by the Holy Spirit and committed to proclaiming the good news of salvation.
