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2. Pesticides
These
same principles apply equally to all pesticides including insecticides
and herbicides. The use of such materials should not lead to any harm
or damage to man or the environment in the present or the future. Consequently,
control and prohibition of whatever leads to harm or damage to people
or to ecosystems is required, even though this control or prohibition
may affect the interests of some individuals, in accordance with the principle
that " A private injury is accepted to avert a general injury to
the public." All legitimate and lawful means should be used
to avoid and prevent damage or harm, provided that such means do not lead
to or cause similar or greater damage. The juristic rule in this connection
is "The lesser of two evils shall be chosen." If the use of
such pesticides is unavoidable, then "Dire necessity renders prohibited
things permissible." However, "Every necessity shall be assessed
according to its value," and "That which is permitted on account
ofan excuse ceases to be permissible with the cessation t of that excuse."
The most selective and least destructive means of pest control are required
by these values and principles of Islam. Preventive measures, biological
controls, non-poisonous repellents, biodegradeable substances, and narrow-spectrum
pesticides should be favored whenever possible overtheir more destructive
alternatives, and their application, should be carefully calculated to
protect man, his crops, and livestock with utmost efficiency and effectiveness,
and with minimum overall injury to God's creation.
Waste, Exhuasts, Cleansing Materials and Other
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