Each year, World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2nd February to raise global awareness about the indispensable contributions of wetlands on the ecosystems of our planet.  

Wetlands come in all shapes and sizes, from unobtrusive saltmarshes to sparkling lagoons and tumbling freshwater streams. Wetlands unquestionably stand as one of the major repositories of ecological services to our planet. They are a rich source of carbon storage, serve as haven for wildlife, and play a critical role in climate mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity, as well as human health and prosperity.  

Wetlands Increasingly Under Threat.

Sadly, due to new developments, and fulfilment of human needs, In just 50 years — since 1970 — 35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost. According to reports by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), this precious resource is increasingly under threat. With a disappearance rate three times faster than that of forests, hundreds of thousands of animal and plant species are currently endangered. The situation is becoming more alarming each passing day: within the past couple of decades, almost 1 million species have been threatened with extinction. The ramifications of environmental degradation continue to gradually undo the ecological advancements that have been developing naturally for over millions of years.  

Wetlands in Islam 

•  A Sign of Blessing 

We often neglect the Wetlands’ intrinsic value to wildlife and people. Despite research showing the benefits of wetlands, public awareness of such resources and their impact on the planet is limited. Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Qur’an: 

وَاِنۡ تَعُدُّوۡا نِعۡمَةَ اللّٰہِ لَا تُحۡصُوۡھَا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَغَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ 

‘And if you try to count the favours of Allah, you will not be able to number them. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.‘ (16:19) 

And also 

قُلۡ اَرَءَیۡتُمۡ اِنۡ اَصۡبَحَ مَآؤُکُمۡ غَوۡرًا فَمَنۡ یَّاۡتِیۡکُمۡ بِمَآءٍ مَّعِیۡنٍ 

‘Say, “Tell me, if all your water were to disappear in the earth, who then will bring you clear flowing water?”‘ (67:31) 

Wetlands hold significance in Islam due to their ecological and environmental importance. Islam emphasizes the responsible stewardship of the Earth and its resources.  

• The world was created in balance 

Our world was perfectly designed by the ultimate Creator and Designer. In Surah Ar-Rahman, Allah says, ’The Most Compassionate. He taught the Qur’an.  

ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ١ عَلَّمَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ ٢ خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ ٣ عَلَّمَهُ ٱلْبَيَانَ ٤ ٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ بِحُسْبَانٍۢ ٥ وَٱلنَّجْمُ وَٱلشَّجَرُ يَسْجُدَانِ ٦ وَٱلسَّمَآءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ ٱلْمِيزَانَ ٧ 

“The most merciful, (He) created man. He taught him eloquence. The sun and the moon (move) by precise calculation. And the stars and the trees prostrate. And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance. That you do not transgress within the balance…′ 

 [55:1-8] 

It was Allah who placed the Earth at a perfect distance from the sun and wrapped the Earth in layers of protective sky. He filled our world with trees which stabilise the soil, rivers upon which civilisations can flourish and countless miraculous ecosystems – coral reefs, marshes, rainforests and more. 

Therefore, it is vital that we strive to maintain the balance of this world. 

Allah tells us that Shaitan has declared,  

وَلَأُضِلَّنَّهُمْ وَلَأُمَنِّيَنَّهُمْ وَلَـَٔامُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُبَتِّكُنَّ ءَاذَانَ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ وَلَـَٔامُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّخِذِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ وَلِيًّۭا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ خَسِرَ خُسْرَانًۭا مُّبِينًۭا ١١٩ 

I will certainly mislead them and delude them with empty hopes. Also, I will order them and they will slit the ears of cattle and alter Allah’s creation.” And whoever takes Satan as a guardian instead of Allah has certainly suffered a tremendous loss. 

 [4:119]. 

 By altering parts of creation for our own needs – e.g. by polluting the air to mass-produce products, or cutting down trees to develop land – our perfectly balanced environment has now been disrupted. 

Water Conservation: Islam places great importance on the conservation and responsible use of water. Wetlands contribute to water purification, groundwater recharge, and maintaining water quality.  

In summary, the importance of wetlands in Islam lies in their role as integral components of the Earth’s ecosystems, supporting life, preserving water resources, and aligning with Islamic principles of environmental stewardship and responsible resource use.