Did we have the answers 1400 Years Ago? Islam’s blueprint for protecting the earth
Over the last week, I really enjoyed speaking at three very different events; a Muslim Leadership Programme, The Blue Earth Summit, and at the Butterfly Conservation conference. Each audience was unique, but what stood out was their shared curiosity and the thoughtful questions they asked.
I feel honoured every time I’m invited to speak about Allah, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and Islam, particularly in spaces where these sacred truths are rarely given voice. With all of my talks, my aim is to show how the teachings of Islam, dating back over a millennium, offer a timeless and holistic approach to sustainability and conservation.
I explored how Islamic principles align with many of today’s environmental practices.
A major part of my talks focussed on the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). While studying the Al-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyya (a text compiled by Imam Tirmidhi detailing the moral, physical and spiritual perfections of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), I discovered how deeply he embodied eco-conscious living; from repairing his clothes to planting trees. It was a lifestyle anchored by ethical and sustainable choices; a way of living that feels just as relevant and necessary today as it did then. The practices he engaged in echo many modern ideas, such as the circular economy, fair labour, and conservation. It’s fascinating to see how principles championed 1400 years ago are at the heart of today’s efforts to create a more sustainable world.
Through looking more closely at the the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); exploring the ways he interacted with wildlife, the sustainable practises he engaged in, and more, we can begin to apply his sunnahs in our daily lives.
One of the main themes I touched on was mizaan, or balance.
This concept is familiar to many Muslims, and it’s one that permeated every aspect of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) life, whether in his habits, diet, or demeanour. He showed us what it meant to walk the “middle path,” a lesson that resonates deeply in a capitalist world that often encourages excess. If we can bring this balance back, we might find solutions not only to environmental issues, but to the spiritual emptiness that many people feel today.
A moment that stood out during the talks was when I shared a quote from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “If the Final Hour comes while you have a shoot of a plant in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it.” It’s such a simple, yet powerful message.
When we reflect on the ongoing struggles around the world, such as the genocide in Palestine, the brutal conflicts in the Congo and Sudan, and the oppression of the Rohingya and Uyghurs, this message becomes even more poignant.
In all of these places, people face unimaginable hardship: from the destruction of homes, mass displacement, the loss of loved ones, to the crushing weight of living under systems of oppression and violence. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless when witnessing these atrocities. However, this hadith teaches us that even when the Final Hour seems near—we are called upon to continue planting seeds of goodness. We are called to take action. We may not immediately see the fruit of our actions, but our efforts contribute to a greater purpose and legacy of justice, compassion, and healing. While others may scoff and see our actions as futile, Allah ultimately sees all that we do. Allah says, “On that Day, people will come forward in separate groups to be shown their deeds: whoever has done an atom’s-weight of good will see it, but whoever has done an atom’s-weight of evil will see that.” (99:6-8)
For those living through these crises, the simple act of planting a seed can symbolise many things: resilience in the face of erasure, resistance against oppression, and a refusal to let hope die. The message of planting even in the face of destruction is one of hope and faith in the potential for renewal and justice. It connects us to the struggles of our brothers and sisters around the world, reminding us that our shared humanity compels us to act—persistently, and with compassion—up until the very last moment of our lives, no matter how dire the circumstances may seem.
Written by Nazia Sultana, Founder of Sustainably Muslim.