of urbanization

"It's funny how human beings "destroy" our planet and then they call it 'development'."
(from a letter to the editor in The Star)

Deforestation leads to the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere thus causing global warming. Besides that, it results in the lost of habitat of certain animals, extinction of some animal species, contamination of rivers and the occurrence of flash floods. It's in high school syllabus. But we humans have the ability to think of something more than that. We found out that deforestation leads to more money. The cleared land can be developed, houses can be built and sold. Nahh, not just houses. We could think of something better than that - skyscrapers. Then we could be proud of it. Our pockets would be super-full too. As if deforestation is not enough, we 'slice' the hills too...and the list goes on and on.

Do we not realize that we're sacrificing a long-run gain for the short-term profit?
Do we not realize we're not just destroying the animals' habitat but ours too?

And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order... (7:56)
And when it is said to them, "Make not mischief on earth," they say, "We are only peace-makers." (2:11)
this is from my English tafsir but the Malay version sounds a little bit different
"Dan janganlah kamu berbuat kerosakan dibumi setelah (ianya diciptakan) dengan baik..."(7:56)
"Dan apabila dikatakan kepada mereka, "Janganlah berbuat kerosakan di bumi!" Mereka menjawab, "Sesungguhnya kami justeru orang-orang yang melakukan perbaikan" (2:11)

Saw you (O Muhammad) not, how your Lord dealt with 'Ad (people).
Of Iram - who had lofty pillars.
The like of which were not created in the land?
And with Thamud, who hewed out rocks in the valley?
And with Pharaoh who had the stakes?
They who did transgress beyond bounds in the lands (in the disobedience of Allah).
And made therein much damage.
So your Lord poured on them different kinds of severe torment.
Verily, you Lord is Ever Watchful.
(89:6-14)

Destruction has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of the people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done, perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. Say, [O Muhammad], "Travel through the land and observe how was the end of those before. Most of them were polytheists/disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah (arabic : mushrikun). (30:41-42)