Between the Earth and the Sky: Viewing from Islamic Perspective
The term earth had been mentioned in al-Quran for many times, in which all of them indicates that surface of includes all visible things on the surface such as land and soil, mountains, plants, trees, forests and others. Earth also defined as place which can provide the best place for human to lives on, which they can cultivate on plants and crops, create buildings and anything within limit (Neurdeng, 2010).
And it is He who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm and (flowing) rivers: and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two: He draweth the night as a veil o'er the Day. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who consider!
(Surah Ar-Rad 13:3)
"He Who has, made for you the earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and channels); and has sent down water from the sky." With it have We produced diverse pairs of plants each separate from the others.
(Surah Taha 20:13)
It is Allah Who has made for you the earth as a resting place, and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape- and made your shapes beautiful,- and has provided for you Sustenance, of things pure and good;- such is Allah your Lord. So Glory to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!
(Surah Ghafir 40:64)

Earth is basically made up of components of land, water and wind. Hazura & Sharifah Norhaidah (2007) highlighted functions of land, functions of water and functions of the wind and air. The functions of land include: 1. For living things to lives on 2. Decompose function 3. Collect and keeping water 4. Agriculture products 5. Tayammum and cleaning from najis mughalazzah 6. Source of giving (sedekah)

And We send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease).
(Surah Al-Mukminun 23:18)

The verse above shows that soil keep water for the sustainability of living thing especially plants. Plants have roots that penetrate the soil, in which these roots function to collect water for their growth and development. Allah also reminds human to be faithful to Him.

Water covers up almost 75% of earth and provides most of the necessity for living things. Important of water as mentioned include: 1. Sources of foods and drinks 2. Energy generation 3. Place to search for rezqi 4. Transportation way 5. Cleaning purposes
It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and thou sees the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that ye may be grateful.
(Surah Al-Nahl 16:14)
This verse clearly tells human about the richness and wealth of the sea. From the sea, there is wide diversity of edible sea creatures for foods. The pearl from the oyster is used by the human nowadays to make ornaments. The sea also provide jobs for fishermen, tourism agency and diver.
Wind also serve as important elements on earth. Their functions include: 1. Pollination activity 2. Bring rain to dry areas 3. Clean the air

It is Allah Who sends forth the Winds, so that they raise up the Clouds, and We drive them to a land that is dead, and revive the earth therewith after its death: even so (will be) the Resurrection!
(Surah Fatir 35:9)
The verse above tells a story about how the wind brings rain to the dry land and revives them. The existence of the wind will move the clouds with water vapor to the dry land, and the rain falls reviving the land with water.
Sky can be defined as everything above the earth, including the atmosphere which is the thin layers that cover the earth. In al-Quran, sky is mentioned in four formats: No. | Type | Term | Total | 1 | Mufrad Ma`rifah | السماء | 109 | 2 | Jamak Ma`rifah | السمىات | 182 | 3 | Mufrad Nakirah | سماء | 2 | 4 | Jamak Nakirah | سمىات | 5 | Total | 298 |
(Mikdar, 2011)

Atmosphere is the layers that cover the earth and jut out to sky. The atmosphere is the important layers in which they control the physical environment, soil formation, plants, animals and human, and also ensure all the geomorphic process occur just fine. Besides, atmosphere also the one that control the climate phenomenon and weather, which indirectly decides on clothes fashions, eating habit, farming activities and tourism industry (Mikdar, 2011).
According to Mikdar (2011), there are 9 functions of atmosphere highlighted in al-Quran that he concluded which are: 1. The place where the rain form. 2. Properties and composition of oxygen. 3. The function of sky that gives back (mengembalikan). 4. Each of the layers with their own functions and jobs. 5. The place where lightning and thunder occur before the rain falls. 6. As the roof that keep us safe. 7. Source of punishment for cruel person (zalim). 8. Source of rezqi and bless (keberkatan). 9. The sky will be crushed on the End (kiamat).

And We have made the heavens as a canopy well-guarded: yet do they turn away from the Signs which these things (point to)!
(Surah Al-Anbiya’ 21:32)
The verse above is the source of the 6th function of atmosphere. What is meant by safe is if we relate to science fact, atmosphere layers functions to absorb harmful radiation. Ozone layer at the stratosphere of atmosphere absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation can be very harmful as causing sunburn, skin cancer and damage eyesight.
He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and is moreover firmly established on the Throne (of Authority). He knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah sees well all that ye do.
(Surah Al-Hadid 57:4)

Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
(Surah Al-Anbiya’ 21:30)

Big Bang theory was suggested by Edwin Hubble in 1929 when he noted that galaxies outside Milky Way were all moving further at speed proportional to the distance from the galaxy. Then, he came to an idea in which the universe began from one point that exploded violently spreading the particles in arranged order forming the Universe.
According to the verse above, the heaven and the earth were joined together at first, in which, if compared to Big Bang theory which said that the Universe started at one point are pointing in the same direction. This evidenced that al-Quran and science move together.
According to Zabariah (n.d.) in her article titled Sustainability in Islam, there are 8 principals and guidelines on sustainability mentioned in al-Quran which are: 1. Justice (Adl) 2. Balance (Mizan) 3. Middleness (Wasat) 4. Mercy (Rahmah) 5. Trustworthiness and Custodianship (Amanah) 6. Spiritual Purity and Physical Cleanliness (Taharah) 7. Truthfulness and Rights (Haq) 8. Usefulness of Knowledge and Science (Ilm Nafi’).

Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that 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).
(Surah Ar-Rum 30:41)
As human which Allah gave the advantage of having ability to think (akal), justice should be practiced not only to other human, but also to all creatures, living and non-living things on earth. Human should have the best judgmental thinking. Allah mentioned in the above verse that damages were committed by human on earth. Allah also reminded us to repent.

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 loves not the wasters.
(Surah al-A’raf 7:31)

The verse above explains the third principle which is middleness. Middleness here best defined by the word ‘moderate’. This is to remind human to prevent over-expending or over-consuming on everything including all the resources on earth. To avoid wasting natural resources, the 8th guidelines of usefulness of knowledge and science is compulsory.
Human is causing waste of natural resources and basically, causing declining in quantity of non-renewable energy without realizing it. The invention of new technology which can provide energy efficiency function are vital to prevent the continuous wasting of natural resources.
In conclusion, heaven and earth are created by Allah for human to be grateful. As human and Islam, we should say Alhamdulillah and be faithful to Him. All the resources on earth should be managed carefully for continuous sustainability. We never knew all of the things between the earth and the sky. Allah had given us chances to live on earth and ability to think and learn, so that we can discover His wonderful creation between the earth and the sky.