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Spiritual Ecology: An Inclusivist Understanding

The term "spiritual ecology" refers to the inherent relationship between spirituality and environment......

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The term “spiritual ecology” refers to the inherent relationship between spirituality and environment. Scientific and academic study of spiritual ecology is being developed by various universities and research institutions around the world.

For instance, the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, founded in 2006, was dedicated to multidisciplinary research on spiritual ecology. It is engaged in critical enquiry into the relationship of religion, nature, and culture. Major world religions including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism have profoundly focused on spiritual ecology.

Just as Islam lays great emphasis on the environmental protection and preservation of the earth by strongly disapproving of any corruption on the earth (fasad fil Ardh’), Buddhism also shows tremendous respect for ecology. Gautam Buddha was opposed to the cutting of trees and plants in a seeker’s path. He preached that Mother Earth should not be disturbed. It should not be exploited out of proportion. Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the interdependence and interrelatedness of all objects in nature and human beings. If one thing suffers, it would impact other things also.

The present global warming is not accidental. It has deep-rooted causes. The human-earth relationship is at the centre of ecology. The crisis in the human-earth relationship occurred in the nineteenth century with the reckless industrial growth. However, this issue was overlooked. We don’t bother as to what will happen to other people and the coming generation.

We go about polluting the environment, air, water, and space, and recklessly cut jungles and disturb and destroy mountains for making roads and railway tracks. We have made chemical weapons of mass destruction. We have an utter disregard for ecology. As a result, we are confronted with serious environmental crisis, threatening the very survival of mankind.

Have we ever stopped to really think and realize the intrinsic nature of things and their interrelatedness. Earth, fire, water, air, and space are intrinsically interrelated and mutually dependent on each other. There is an urgent need to understand the sacred nature of relationship in everything, animate and inanimate, in the spirit of environmental ethics. Let’s understand the mutual relationship of all objects in the universe.

Then who is the culprit? There is a need for united efforts. There is a need for coalition of forces and resources. Such efforts are bound to meet with resistance from the commercial world and market forces. There is a need for a living contact with all. We should avoid inhuman and unnatural relations among all things. There is a need for communion of one reality with another reality to create unity and integrated reality.

We are all engaged in increasing our material comfort. It is time we hear the sound of water, air, birds, plants, and everything in nature. It is time we understand the natural right of everything and every species. It is about time we recognised the spiritual status of everything…..

The nature has to be protected and saved for every one of us. Ecological crisis cut across national boundaries. We need a new holistic approach that establishes balance among all things. There is a need for a new ethos of spirituality which calls for love and concern for existential harmony. We must understand the mystery underlying the universe. We have to redraw a new boundary between heaven and earth in order to overcome the global crisis we are faced with.

There is a need for multidisciplinary research in spiritual ecology, which includes environmental spirituality, environmental behaviour, altitudinal changes, and interdependence of nature, religion, and culture.

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  1. Certainly, every religion has emphasized the preservation of the environment we live in. But, undoubtedly, the topic was overlooked until now by most modern research organisations. This new interest in this field of research and using a multidisciplinary approach will increase our familiarity with the role of religion especially of Islam in preserving ecology.

  2. Department of Ethics & Spirituality
    This department offers a broad spectrum of Islamic spirituality (Tasawwuf) and ethics (Akhlaqiyat) building on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), his Companions and sages like Imam Ali, Ibn al-Arabi, Jelaluddin Rumi, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, al-Ghazali, as well as Indian mystics like Moinuddin Chishti, Nizamuddin Awliya, and others.
    Department of Peace Studies
    This department helps students gain a better awareness of social, political, cultural, and geopolitical aspects that either promote or hinder peace processes. They will learn how to take part in peace-building through a variety of Islamic approaches to conflict resolution that will enable them to become active participants in the promotion of a harmonious and sustainable world.
    Department of Interfaith Studies and Human rights
    It will allow students to examine not only the internal nature of religious systems and beliefs, but also how they interact and relate to one another. It is this interaction that has come to colour our modern world, with rising societal pluralisation creating an underlying tendency to many of the social, political, and philosophical dynamics that engage our societies.

    Islam has also guaranteed us the right to upbringing, maintenance, education, and guidance, as well as mercy and compassion, and has forbidden us from being burdened with an impossible duty and human wrongdoing. Similarly, because they are a component of religion and faith, mankind has no right to surrender them.

    Personality Development and leadership

    Personality is defined as the sum total of a person’s memories and experiences over the course of his or her life. Environmental influences, family history, financial circumstances, genetic characteristics, situations, and circumstances all have a role in determining a person’s personality.
    Personal development is also said to improve one’s communication abilities and the way he perceives the world. As a result of personality development, people tend to have an optimistic attitude.Such skills can be developed through a better understanding of human dynamics and behavior in different contexts, a deep level of self-awareness, and developing oneself
    The MLRC explains how leadership in Islam has certain unique duties because it is concerned with both worldly affairs and the Hereafter. All of these interests are shared by a leader in any organization.

    The MLRC provides an overview of Islamic finance to demonstrate how firms and people can raise funds in line with Sharia, or Islamic law. It also refers to the types of investments that are allowed under this type of legislation. Islamic finance can be seen of as a one-of-a-kind approach to socially responsible investing.
    Mudarabah, Wadiah, Musharaka, Murabahah, and Ijara are some of the Islamic banking/finance modes.

    While being offered as a comprehensive faith and a political-legal system, MLRC is progressing toward teaching the extended adoption of the Islamic legal system that is relevant to the dynamics of legal awareness in Islam. The Holy Book (The Quran), The Sunnah (the Prophet Muhammad’s traditions or recognized practices), Ijma’ (Consensus), and Qiyas are the basic sources of Islamic law (Analogy).

    The MLRC brings a broad perspective and expertise of Islamic art and architecture to the table. The term “Islamic” refers to art and architecture designed specifically for Muslims. We take you on a Beautiful Journey with the Light of Knowledge from the Ancient to the Present.

    The MLRC provides an overview of Islamic finance to demonstrate how firms and people can raise funds in line with Sharia, or Islamic law. It also refers to the types of investments that are allowed under this type of legislation. Islamic finance can be seen of as a one-of-a-kind approach to socially responsible investing.
    Mudarabah, Wadiah, Musharaka, Murabahah, and Ijara are some of the Islamic banking/finance modes.

    While being offered as a comprehensive faith and a political-legal system, MLRC is progressing toward teaching the extended adoption of the Islamic legal system that is relevant to the dynamics of legal awareness in Islam. The Holy Book (The Quran), The Sunnah (the Prophet Muhammad’s traditions or recognized practices), Ijma’ (Consensus), and Qiyas are the basic sources of Islamic law (Analogy).

    The MLRC brings a broad perspective and expertise of Islamic art and architecture to the table. The term “Islamic” refers to art and architecture designed specifically for Muslims. We take you on a Beautiful Journey with the Light of Knowledge from the Ancient to the Present.

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