The Human Relationship with the Universe and Nature: Foundations of Balance, Mercy, and Responsibility in the Light of the Prophetic Sīrah

علاقة الإنسان بالكون والفطرة على أساسٍ من التوازن والرحمة والمسؤولية في ضوء السيرة النبوية

Abstract

The Prophetic Biography (Sīrah) offers a comprehensive worldview that frames the relationship between human beings and the universe on the principles of justice, mercy, and balance. It presents the human being as God’s vicegerent (khalīfah) on earth, entrusted with moral responsibility toward nature, the environment, and all living beings extending beyond material development to the preservation of cosmic order. This paper aims to examine the ethical and intellectual foundations established by the Prophet ﷺ for regulating the human–nature relationship, analyzing them in the light of the objectives of Islamic law (maqāṣid al-sharīʿah) and contemporary environmental discourse. Employing a descriptive and analytical approach, the study draws on the Qur’an, the Prophetic Sunnah, and classical Islamic sources, with selective reference to modern environmental theories to highlight the holistic nature of the Prophetic vision. The study argues that the principle of “mercy to all creation” constitutes the core of the Prophetic environmental ethic. The Prophet’s ﷺ guidance regarding water, animals, plants, air, and soil forms an integrated moral framework that may be described as Eco-Ethics of Fitrah. The paper further contends that contemporary environmental challenges cannot be effectively addressed without engaging this Prophetic paradigm, which harmonizes spiritual values with practical responsibility. The Prophetic Biography thus provides a sustainable and human-centered model for the relationship between humanity and nature, integrating religion, ethics, and environmental responsibility in the pursuit of balanced and sustainable life.