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Introduction
Eco-Consciousness in Ramadan
Allah Almighty chose the blessed month of Ramadan to surround us with His countless blessings and for us to appreciate His bounties. Ramadan allows worshippers to focus their minds on the devotion to their faith through prayers, expressing gratitude, seeking forgiveness and helping the needy. In this month we have a greater urge and desire to perform good deeds.
Fasting is an act of worship, as well as a way to learn patience and to break away from bad habits. However, in this era of modernity, the focus seems to have shifted from the vast benefits of fasting during the blessed month to a more materialistic outlook, for example, what to buy, where to eat and how much to eat.
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In Ramadan, we tend to become more extravagant when it comes to food and the use of resources. Wastage levels can escalate due to a variety of factors ranging from a commercialisation of the holy month to the generosity of hosts who produce too much food for events. We find that we are using more water than usual for wudu as we’re feeling more spiritual, and we tend to use our cars more for regular shopping trips.
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Allah Almighty has gifted us the earth as a place to live, He has created each living organism for a precise purpose and created every natural process for a reason. When you are given a gift, it is not something which is discarded, rather it is treasured and you appreciate the giver of the gift.â€
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In Islam, humans have been tasked by Allah to act as custodians of the earth;
“Now, behold! Your Lord said to the angels: I am placing upon the earth a human successor to steward it”.
(Quran 2:30)
​As Muslims, we should work towards the conservation of Earth’s ecosystems, ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for future generations while keeping a balance between humans and nature. The Prophet ï·º emphasised to his followers that the act of giving up food and drink loses its significance without personal mindfulness and evaluation.
“How many fasting people are there whose fasts consist of nothing but hunger and thirst?”
(Ihya Ulum al Din – Book of fasting)
​Essentially, Muslims are encouraged to reflect on this question: what is the point of the physical act of fasting if our actions and words go unchanged? While there are many values that Muslims strive to adhere to in their daily lives, the values of environmental consciousness and stewardship are particularly relevant during the blessed month of Ramadan.
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Islam is a religion of self-reflection and one that advocates striving for Ihsaan (excellence) and best practice in our daily lives. We often talk of disciplining the soul, of matters related to the heart or the ills of our communities, and whilst these are imperative of course, green issues should be a core topic for our community also.†‬
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It is time for us to go back to the essence of the month of Ramadan, to preserve the bounties of Allah Almighty as His stewards on Earth.