Throughout the Qur’an, it is repeatedly stressed that God created the heavens and the earth. The impression I got from reading the text is that God expects the believers to show the same honor and respect to the earth, which God created, just as God expects the believers to respect and honor the words he has passed to humankind through the various prophets. There is also an emphasis on the Garden where the faithful will be taken following the Day of Judgement. The Garden is described as a place of beauty with clear streams and abundant fruits and vegetables, clearly an indication of the joy, comfort, and blessings that a healthy environment provides.
There is a strong passage in the text where God points out the interconnection between things in the natural world, and warns of the destruction that will come if humans thought their arrogance come to believe that they have power and dominion over God’s creation.
The life of this world is like this: rain that We send down from the sky is absorbed by the plants of the earth, from which humans and animals eat. But when the earth has taken on its finest appearance, and adorns itself, and its people think they have power over it, then the fate We commanded comes to it, by night or by day, and We reduce it to stubble, as if it had not flourished just the day before.
(p. 130)
The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of heeding the signs and warnings that are made clear.
Ever closer to people draws their reckoning, while they turn away, heedless: whenever a fresh revelation comes to them from their Lord, they listen to it playfully with frivolous hearts.
(p. 203)
As I read this, I immediately thought of the climate change deniers, who scoff at the prophetic warnings of the scientific community and forge ahead heedlessly, impelled by greed and short-sightedness. We bring destruction upon ourselves when we fail to heed the warning signs that present themselves to us. In my opinion, God (however you interpret God), science, nature, are all presenting us with a prophetic warning: we do not have power over the earth and we need to act respectfully and nurture this planet. The choices we make right now will determine whether we inherit the Garden, or a place of desolation and suffering.
Stuff Jeff Reads 
Very interesting, Jeff. It seems like it is quite a different view from the one in the Old Testament where it was said something about humans subjugating the earth and its animals? I’m glad you have taken on the Qur’an. I would probably never read it but I’m glad to find out about it through your blog.
Hi Monika. I’ve had my copy for three or four years and am just now getting around to reading it. Harold Bloom listed it as one of the critical works of Western Literature. So, I figured I should read it, for no other reason than to have a better understanding of one of the major religions in the world. Not a system I subscribe to, but some interesting stuff nonetheless. Hoping you are doing well. Sending warm wishes — Jeff