How Muslims are powering environmental action across the world

While the world is struggling with a myriad of environmental problems, an increasing number of studies show that the role of religion is essential.

Religion influences visions of the world of people, including the way we think of nature and our roles. This is true for Islam, one of the largest and fastest religions in the world.

Islamic teachings on nature protection can help inform how we react to ecological and climatic crises. In particular, Australia can turn to our neighbor, in Indonesia, where the “Green Islam” movement develops.

Let us therefore take a closer look at how Islamic lessons promote nature care, establishing common ground for environmental action between confessions and cultures.

What is green Islam?

In Islam, humans are described as Khalīfah, or land guardians. Islamic teaching also declares that Islam is Rahmatan Lil’ālamīn – Mercy to any creation.

This means that Muslims are responsible for the well -being of everything on earth – humans, animals, plants, earth and water. Taking care of the environment is considered an act of worship.

The color of green always has a particular meaning in Islam. It is said that it was the favorite color of the prophet Muhammad, symbolizing hope, paradise and new life.

The Koran – the sacred writing of Islam and the main source of Islamic teaching – really discuss nature. He describes the sky, trees, rivers and animals, and the beauty of the natural world. It also reminds people to live in mīzān, or balance, with the environment, in verses such as:

“He raised the sky. He fixed the balance, so that you cannot exceed in balance: weigh with justice and not fail in the scale.”

Hadiths, another source of Islamic teaching, also promotes environmental care. Hadith is a collection of words, actions and approvals attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, the last prophet of Islam. One of these hadiths refers to nature care as a donation:

“There are none among Muslims who plant a tree or shake seeds, then a bird, or an animal eating it, but is considered a charity gift on their part.”

The emergence of green Islam

While the Koran and the Hadith have long talked about nature, the movement of green Islam has appeared much more recently.

The Muslim scientist Seyyed Hossein Nasr was among the first to articulate the idea. In the late 1960s, he argued that environmental problems were not only physical but also spiritual and moral. He believed that people, whatever their faith, should reconnect with the spiritual values that teach care and balance.

During the following decades, as environmental problems have worsened, more Muslim voices began to call for environmental responsibility based on Islamic principles. This was supported by an growing set of research exploring the relationship between Islam and environmental care.

Over the past 25 years, green Islam has gone from theory to actual action. Today, ideas are practiced in many Muslim nations and communities around the world.

A projector on Indonesia

Indonesia is faced with a number of urgent environmental problems, including deforestation, air pollution and marine pollution. It is also one of the ten best greenhouse gas transmitters in the world.

Indonesia is also the largest Muslim majority in the world and is at the forefront of the movement of green Islam. There, green Islam helps to mobilize managers and communities to support environmental protection.

Environmentalism is taught in Islamic schools through Indonesia. This is supported by the Green Islamic boarding program of the country known as the weighing hijau.

The Islamic internships of Indonesia, or weighing, are large and well established, and their teachers and students are well respected. This makes the school network an effective way to encourage green practices in both schools and in the wider community.

In 2022, the National Mosque of Indonesia, Istiqlal, became the first place of worship in the world to be certified for the environment by the International Finance Corporation.

The mosque building includes reflective paint for the roof and external walls, energy saving lighting, intelligent energy meters and solar panels. It also has low -flow taps and water recycling. Professor Nasaruddin Umar, Grand Imam of Istiqlal, said that the mosque had become a “Environmental Protection Center”, adding: adding:

“Muslims feel a strong imperative for mosques to move green to improve the quality of their worship and honor the management of [Prophet Muhammad] Rasulullah saw who insisted on the need to protect the environment. “”

The Indonesian government has also urged religious leaders to include environmental themes in sermons. For example, in April of this year, the Ministry of Religious Affairs encouraged preachers to talk about environmental protection during Friday prayers, to coincide with Earth Day.

Australia and Indonesia work together on environmental protection. The programs include collaboration on a just energy transition, the reduction of emissions and the fight against forest and field fires.

To ensure more efficient and respectful cooperation with Indonesia, Australia should recognize and respect how green Islam can help take care of our shared planet.

Looking at a green future

Important examples of green Islam can be found in the world.

Morocco, for example, has a movement of green mosques. In Egypt, the Dar al-Ipta Islamic Authority has published a “fatwa” (religious edict) prohibiting activities that harm nature.

And many countries support environmental initiatives through Green Sukuk, an instrument to finance ecological projects that align with Islamic principles.

At a time of assembly of ecological challenges, all sources of wisdom are vital. Islamic lessons, as well as that of other confessions, offer advice to live in harmony with nature. Together, they can inspire a significant and practical action for the planet.

This article is republished from the conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.