Custodianship of the Earth in Islam

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Custodianship of the Earthin Islam

• Harfiyah Haleem

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Purpose of Creation

• It is He who created the heavens and the earth in
  six DaysHis rule extends over the waters tooso
  as to test which of you does best.
• (Q. 117)
• Exalted is He who holds all control in His hand
  who has power over all things who created death
  who created life to test you people and
  reveal which of you performs best
• (Quran 671-2)

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Mizan

• The sun and the moon follow their calculated
  courses the plants and the trees submit to His
  designs He has lifted the sky. He has set the
  balance in order for you not to exceed it weigh
  with justice and not fall short in it. He laid
  down the Earth for His creatures, with its
  fruits, its palm-trees with sheathed clusters,
  its husked grain, its fragrant plants. Which,
  then, of your Lords gifts do you both deny?
  555-13

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Khilafah

• When your Lord told the angels, I am putting a
  successor khalifah on earth, they said, How
  can You put someone who will cause damage and
  bloodshed there? (230)
• The term khalifah is normally translated as
  vicegerent or deputy. Some people even talk
  about Gods vicegerent, khalifat Allah, although
  this is never mentioned in the Quran. The root
  of the word is khalf, meaning behind, so the
  primary meaning of the word is the one who comes
  behind, successor the Quran often talks
  about generations and individuals who are
  successors to each other
• Have you (Prophet) considered that God created
  the heavens and the earth for a purpose? He
  could remove all of you and replace you with a
  new creation if He wished to that is not
  difficult for God. 1419-20
• It is He who made you successors on the earth
  raises some of you above others in rank, to test
  you through what He gives you. 6165
• the earth belongs to God He gives it as
  inheritance to whichever of His servants He
  chooses and the happy future belongs to those
  who are mindful of Him. 7128
• The verb akhlafa is also used by Moses in the
  Quran to deputize Aaron (Harun)
• Moses said to his brother Aaron, Take my place
  (akhlifni) among my people act rightly and do
  not follow the way of those who spread
  corruption. 7142.

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AmanahAn Awesome Trust

• We offered the Trust to the heavens, the earth,
  and the mountains,
• yet they refused to undertake it and were afraid
  of it mankind undertook itthey have always been
  inept and foolish.

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A Taste

• Corruption has appeared on land and sea as a
  result of peoples actions and He will make them
  taste the consequences of some of their own
  actions so that they may turn back.
• (Q. 3041)