The Nature and Science Lover's Guide to Islam
or
The Islam Lover's Guide to Science and Nature
Verily, in the heavens and the earth are signs for those who believe.
(Sura al Jathiya, 45:3)
Although many people tend to think of Native American traditions as being the only "Earth Friendly" spiritual traditions, Islam demands of its followers a consciousness about the Earth, it's inhabitants, and the science that allows us to learn about it.
For instance, we were warned over 1400 years ago against wasting resources and creating pollution:
Rottenness (decay/corruption) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds, in order that they may turn back (from evil). (Sura ar-Rum, 30:41)
O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer; eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for Allah does not love those who waste. (Sura al-A'raf, 7:31)
The Most Gracious! It is He who has taught the Qur'an. He has created man: he has taught him an intelligent speech. The sun and moon follow courses computed; and herbs and trees both bow in adoration. And the Firmament He has raised high, and He has set up the Balance in order that you may not transgress balance. (Sura ar-Rahman, 55:1-8)
He has let free the two Seas meeting together: between them is a barrier which they do not transgress: then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny? (Sura ar Rahman, 55:19-20)
Below are some selected ayat (signs) from the Qur'an, coupled with internet resources where you and your children can learn about various phenomena in nature. I have also included a general nature section, for those signs that I couldn't specifically find in the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Astronomy
Blessed is He Who put in the heavens constellations, and put in it a lamp and a light-giving moon. (Sura al Furqan, 25:61)
The sun and the moon follow precise courses. (Sura ar-Rahman, 55:5)
It is He Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon: all swim along, each in its rounded course. (Sura al-Anbiya, 21:33)
Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We seperated them? (Sura al-Anbiya, 21:30)
He draweth the night as a veil over the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: and the sun, the moon, and the stars are subsurvient by His Command. (Sura al-An'am, 7:54)
And by the stars, men guide themselves. (Sura an-Nahl, 16:16)
We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars - and for guard against all obstinate rebellions shaytans. (Sura as-Saffat, 37:6-7)
And We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps, and we have made such missles to drive away Shaytans... (Sura al-Mulk, 67:5)
"'See ye not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another, And made the moon a light in their midst, and made the sun as a (Glorious) Lamp? (Sura an Nuh, 71:15-6)
Stephen Hawking's Universe From PBS's excellent series about astrophysics, the nature and origin of the Universe, and new trends and discoveries about the skies.
Ask a NASA Scientist! You or your children can ask a real NASA scientist questions about astronomy, astrophysics, the Universe, the stars, and so on.
Star Child: Astronomy for Youngsters This is perfect for kids aged 4-14
Yahoo: Astronomy Yahoo's! guide to Astronomy sites on the 'net
The Galaxy Catalog Photo gallery of different galaxies.
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Moon
Paintings in the Sky Photos of Aurora Borealis, also known as "northern lights"
Bees (Sura an Nahl, the Bees, 68)
And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on tres, and in habitations; then to eat of all the produce, and follow the ways of thy Lord made smooth: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is a healing for men: Verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought. (Sura an Nahl, 68-9)
B-Eye: World Through the Eyes of a Bee
Ants (Sura an Naml, the Ants, 27)
At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it." (Sura an Naml, 27:18)
Antics: An Ant Thology All about ants
Spiders (Sura al Ankabut, the Spider, 29)
The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider's house;- if they but knew. (29:41)
Spiders! From a documentary about spiders in Australia.
Thunder and Lightning
It is He who doth show you the lightning, by way both of fear and hope: it is he who doth raise up the clouds, heavy with rain! Nay, thunder repeateth His praises, and so do the angeles, with awe: He flingeth the loud voiced thunder bolts... (Sura ar Rad, 13:12-13)
The Thamud and the 'Ad people disbelieved in the day of Noise and Clamor! But the Thamud, they were destroyed by a terrible storm of thunder and lightning! (Sura al Haqqa, 69:5)
But if they turn away, say: "I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt of the 'Ad and Thamud!" (41:13)
Rain & Clouds
It is Allah Who sends the winds, and then they raise clouds: then He spreads them in the sky as He wills and makes them dark, then you see the drops issue from the midst of them... (Sura ar Rum, 30:48)
Don't you see how Allah drives clouds with force, then joins them together, then makes them into a heap? - then you see the drops issue from the midst of them. And He sends down from the sky mountains (of clouds) wherein is hail: He strikes therewith whom He pleases and He turns it away from whom He pleases. The flash of His lightning well-nigh snatches away the sight. (Sura an-Nur, 24:43)
It is He who sends down rain from the sky from it you drink, and out of it vegetation on which you feed your cattle. (Sura an Nahl, 16:10)
Precipitation All about different kinds of precipitation, incl. rain, hail, and snow
Mini Cloud Atlas Different types of clouds, what they look like, etc.
Cloud Boutique Photos of different types of clouds
Wind
It is He who sendeth the winds like heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy... (Sura 7:57)
What they spend in the life of this (material) world May be likened to a wind which brings a nipping frost: It strikes and destroys the harvest of men who have wronged their own souls: it is not Allah that hath wronged them, but they wrong themselves. (Sura al-'Imran, 3:117)
If it be His Will He can still the Wind: then would they become motionless on the back of the (ocean). Verily in this are Signs for everyone who patiently perseveres and is grateful. (42:33)
And in the 'Ad (people) (was another Sign): Behold, We sent against them the devastating Wind:
It left nothing whatever that it came up against, but reduced it to ruin and rottenness.(51:41-2)
Flood
But they rejected him, and We delivered him, and those with him, in the Ark: but We overwhelmed in the flood those who rejected Our signs. They were indeed a blind people! (7:64)
He sendeth down water from the sky, so that valleys flow according to their measure, and the flood beareth (on its surface) swelling foam - from that which they smelt in the fire in order to make ornaments and tools riseth a foam like unto it - thus Allah coineth (the similitude of) the true and the false. Then, as for the foam, it passeth away as scum upon the banks, while, as for that which is of use to mankind, it remaineth in the earth. Thus Allah coineth the similitudes. (13:17)
Flood Stories from around the world
Earthquakes
Do ye feel secure that He Who is in heaven will not cause you to be swallowed up by the earth when it shakes (as in an earthquake)? (67:16)
O mankind! Fear your Lord. Lo! the earthquake of the Hour (of Doom) is a tremendous thing. (Al Hajj, 22:01)
Other Phenomenon
Geo Site About Geology, good for youngsters and adults alike.
European Butterflies Photo gallery of butterflies in Europe
Yahoo: Wildflowers All about wildflowers: photos, field guides, classifications, etc.
Himalayas: Where Earth Meets Sky Mountains are mentioned throughout the Qur'an
Science Resources for Families
Ask Dr. Universe Scientists at the University of Washington will help to answer your questions
Yahoo: Ask an Expert You can find listings for scientists and experts in more specialized areas
Biology 4 Kids Great site for kids to learn about biology
Amusement Park Physics All about the physics behind the roller coasters, this is a great site for teens who are learning physics
Bizarre Stuff you Can Make in Your Kitchen Fun, but wierd. Good for older kids.
Islam and Science
The Qur'an, Knowledge, and Science
New Trends: American Scientists Accepting Islam
Astronomy For Islam Astronomy, Islamic moonsighting info, math jokes, and links to Dr. Muzamil Siddiqi's advice column. GREAT for teens and adults.
It is Truth Every aspect of science as it relates to Islam is presented here.
Links and Articles on Islam and Science
International Institute of Islamic Medicine
Muslim Scientists and Thinkers Biographies of the great thinkers of Islam, and their achievements.
Islam and Science: Tons of Info