Combining Faith and Sustainability – Reflections of a Revert

I have recently joined Sustainably Muslim as Ambassador and I’m slowly settling into this role. As an Ambassador, part of my role is to help raise awareness of environmental concerns amongst the wider Muslim community, especially younger people, including via social media, joining and delivering workshops and generally supporting Sustainably Muslim in their work.

My concern and passion for the environment dates back as far as the 1980s, when with my first vote aged 18, I helped bring the Green Party into the German Parliament. This was a momentous achievement that saw the Green agenda becoming part of mainstream German politics.

For me, the 1980s were also a time of intense seeking for meaning and direction in life, eventually leading to me accepting Islam.

It was only very recently though that the connection between my faith and my concern for the environment became obvious to me! When I became muslim in the 1980s, it was as  part of a German group of converts who found Islam via Sufism. Our focus was on establishing the rituals of prayer, fasting, regular Dhikr and spiritual exploration, but not the teachings or Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) about the environment. As far as I am aware, even now,  environmental concerns are rarely addressed in mosques or other Islamic gatherings.

It was only when I attended a conference organised by Sustainably Muslim last year, listening to details of the organisation’s work, that it finally became clear what was in plain sight all along. The idea that anything I do to live sustainably and protect the earth is also an act of faith, is a powerful one that motivated me to join Sustainably Muslim to help spread the message.  

“There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.” Sahih al-Bukhari

This reminds me of last summer, when the apple tree in our garden bore an abundant amount of fruit, most of which we harvested. Some, we left rotting on the ground to feed insects and small animals. For something as simple as that to be an act of charity is amazing!

It is easy to feel hopeless in the face of the destruction of our natural environment, witnessing the decline of wildlife, the changing climate and increasing mountains of plastic waste.  Our earth is being exploited ruthlessly for a massive profit for the few whilst millions of people live in abject poverty due the waste that we in the West create. It appears that governments around the world, including the UK, are unwilling to take decisive action.

As Muslims, we have a responsibility to look after our earth, after creation.  Islam’s concept of stewardship, or Khalifah, is important here.  

It says in the Quran: ‘It is He who made you successors (viceregents)  on the earth and raises some of you above others in rank, to test you through what He gives you’ (Al-An’am 6:165) 

“And do not walk on the earth arrogantly. Surely you can neither crack the earth nor stretch to the height of the mountains,” (Al-Isra 17:37)

Islamic teachings oppose using resources in excess or in pursuit of an opulent lifestyle; extravagant excess by some deprives others of a basic standard of decent and secure living. Islam encourages us to walk the earth humbly, respecting nature and wildlife.

And here can be our individual starting point: to make changes, even if they are small, that help towards living more sustainably and in moderation.  

Some simple ideas include:

• Conserve our resources, e.g. reduce food waste, save water, switch off lights,
• Practise sustainable consumption, e.g. reduce single use plastics & use alternatives,
• Reduce meat consumption,
• Keep our environment clean, e.g. don’t litter the streets, turn off your car engine when stationary,
• Show compassion for all creatures,
• Limit the use of the car, walk/take public transport,
• Plant a tree/other plants.

After all, it says in the Quran, “The servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk gently upon the earth…” (Quran 25:63).

Let’s all do our bit towards reducing our individual and collective carbon footprint and achieving a more sustainable lifestyle.

By Hamidah