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Green Deen: What Islam Teaches about Protecting the Planet
Muslims are compelled by their religion to praise the Creator and to care for their community. But what is not widely known is that there are deep and long-standing connections between Islamic teachings and environmentalism. In this groundbreaking book, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin draws on research, scripture, and interviews with Muslim Americans to trace Islam’s preoccupation with humankind’s collective role as stewards of the Earth. Abdul-Matin points out that the Prophet Muhammad declared that “the Earth is a mosque.”
Deen means “path” or “way” in Arabic. Abdul-Matin offers dozens of examples of how Muslims can follow, and already are following, a Green Deen in four areas: “waste, watts (energy), water, and food.” At last, people of all beliefs can appreciate the gifts and contributions that Islam and Muslims bring to the environmental movement.
Deen means “path” or “way” in Arabic. Abdul-Matin offers dozens of examples of how Muslims can follow, and already are following, a Green Deen in four areas: “waste, watts (energy), water, and food.” At last, people of all beliefs can appreciate the gifts and contributions that Islam and Muslims bring to the environmental movement.
264 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2010
48 people are currently reading
765 people want to read
About the author
Ibrahim Abdul-Matin
4 books7 followersFor over a decade has been a passionate voice for the planet and its people. He is a consultant with The Frontier Project, the author of 'Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet' and contributor to All-American: 45 American Men On Being Muslim. Ibrahim is a former sustainability policy advisor to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Outward Bound instructor. In 2002 he helped to found the Brooklyn Academy for Science and the Environment. Ibrahim has blogged since 2004 as the Brooklyn Bedouin and has appeared on FOX News, ABC News' "This Week," and the Brian Lehrer Show and on WNYC's nationally syndicated show The Takeaway. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, CNN.com, The Daily Beast, and GOOD Magazine. In 2013 Ibrahim was honored by NBC's TheGrio.com as one of 100 African Americans Making history today. He lives in Brooklyn, NYC with his wife and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 5, 2013
[ This reflection/review has also been published at my blog http://seriouslyplanning.wordpress.com]
I love the natural environment, but I am my most energetic and passionate when I’m in a beautiful city. I love the gleam of skyscrapers, the chatter of coffeeshops, the bustle of a crowd, and the feeling you get in a large city that you could meet a wonderful new friend just around the corner. This book however, asks us to think about the world that our city hides from us. It asks us to think about where food comes from beyond the grocery store, the scarcity of water beyond our (Western) household taps, how polluting energy sources adversely impact the planet, and where waste goes beyond the ‘chutes’ in our apartment building or the garbage can outside our house. It acknowledges it is hard to be mindful of these things, but emphasizes that understanding chains of consequence is a key component of living an ethical life.
This journey begins with spending time to repair our own hearts. In the beginning of the book, the author notes:
” Our hearts need healing just as our planet needs healing. We can heal through prayer, and we can heal the planet through prayer – not just in the spiritual sense, but also by becoming more open to living a life in concert with all of creation. The way we treat our planet is a reflection of how we treat ourselves, and the way we treat ourselves is a reflection of how we treat our planet.”
The book in itself is a basic introduction to environmental issues such as water, watts, food and waste, and details issues that require sustained personal and collective reflection and action. If you’ve taken any courses at the high school or undergraduate level on the environment much of this information is not new, but the book attempts to invite those who have not typically thought about the environment to become informed and act. It tries to add an Islamic perspective to the environmental discussion by articulating the principles of a Green Deen. These principles include striving for justice, protecting the earth, being a steward, and being in balance with nature. The point of these principles (which are repeated in each chapter and section) is to show the reader that caring for the environment is not an ‘add on” to faith; it is vital. According to the author:
“Islam orients Muslims towards living a life that is not wasteful, a life in which we are mindful of where our food comes from, and one in which we are careful not to create more harm, whether it is through our words, our actions, or our inaction.” (p.167)
For me, what was most engaging about this book was the author’s discussion of topics that relate to Muslims specifically, such as the ecological impact of one’s local mosque (and how to create a strategy for improvement) and being water – conscious when preparing for the five daily prayers.
On the topic of water, the author notes:
“A person with a Green Deen is mindful of the amount of water used during wudu (ablution). Although wudu is an essential and vital part of Islamic practice, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught thriftiness with water. He warned against wasting water when doing wudu, even if one lives near a river. Today, however, many of us forget this “green” practice of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
My critique of the book is that it would have been strengthened with more time spent on these areas, but less than a critique, this is a reminder that there is much more to be written on this topic. This book is the only one I know of like it, and for this reason cannot be everything to all readers. More writers need to get involved, and as this book tries to argue, more Muslims, and more people of all faiths and philosophical backgrounds need to feel part of the environmental movement because there are so many technical, scientific and creative problems that need the attention of critical minds. Addressing all of us, this book calls on us to get informed, get inspired, and start working.
I love the natural environment, but I am my most energetic and passionate when I’m in a beautiful city. I love the gleam of skyscrapers, the chatter of coffeeshops, the bustle of a crowd, and the feeling you get in a large city that you could meet a wonderful new friend just around the corner. This book however, asks us to think about the world that our city hides from us. It asks us to think about where food comes from beyond the grocery store, the scarcity of water beyond our (Western) household taps, how polluting energy sources adversely impact the planet, and where waste goes beyond the ‘chutes’ in our apartment building or the garbage can outside our house. It acknowledges it is hard to be mindful of these things, but emphasizes that understanding chains of consequence is a key component of living an ethical life.
This journey begins with spending time to repair our own hearts. In the beginning of the book, the author notes:
” Our hearts need healing just as our planet needs healing. We can heal through prayer, and we can heal the planet through prayer – not just in the spiritual sense, but also by becoming more open to living a life in concert with all of creation. The way we treat our planet is a reflection of how we treat ourselves, and the way we treat ourselves is a reflection of how we treat our planet.”
The book in itself is a basic introduction to environmental issues such as water, watts, food and waste, and details issues that require sustained personal and collective reflection and action. If you’ve taken any courses at the high school or undergraduate level on the environment much of this information is not new, but the book attempts to invite those who have not typically thought about the environment to become informed and act. It tries to add an Islamic perspective to the environmental discussion by articulating the principles of a Green Deen. These principles include striving for justice, protecting the earth, being a steward, and being in balance with nature. The point of these principles (which are repeated in each chapter and section) is to show the reader that caring for the environment is not an ‘add on” to faith; it is vital. According to the author:
“Islam orients Muslims towards living a life that is not wasteful, a life in which we are mindful of where our food comes from, and one in which we are careful not to create more harm, whether it is through our words, our actions, or our inaction.” (p.167)
For me, what was most engaging about this book was the author’s discussion of topics that relate to Muslims specifically, such as the ecological impact of one’s local mosque (and how to create a strategy for improvement) and being water – conscious when preparing for the five daily prayers.
On the topic of water, the author notes:
“A person with a Green Deen is mindful of the amount of water used during wudu (ablution). Although wudu is an essential and vital part of Islamic practice, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught thriftiness with water. He warned against wasting water when doing wudu, even if one lives near a river. Today, however, many of us forget this “green” practice of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
My critique of the book is that it would have been strengthened with more time spent on these areas, but less than a critique, this is a reminder that there is much more to be written on this topic. This book is the only one I know of like it, and for this reason cannot be everything to all readers. More writers need to get involved, and as this book tries to argue, more Muslims, and more people of all faiths and philosophical backgrounds need to feel part of the environmental movement because there are so many technical, scientific and creative problems that need the attention of critical minds. Addressing all of us, this book calls on us to get informed, get inspired, and start working.
August 3, 2014
Initially the book liberally gives airtime to the current existence and overplay of consumerism, globalisation and the importance of recognising the environmental arguments. The author's own upbringing and examples are current and help the reader relate to an upbringing that may cut across semi-urban middle class suburbia. Again, these are subjective and wisely, the book moves swiftly into definitions of what a green deen (or way of life) could be/ should be. Abdul-Matin is determined to give a holistic argument for his book and his manner of using Islamic injunctions from both the Quran and Hadith to exemplify that. It is also clear he has a vision to unite environmentalists the world over and while his focus remains on the inter-faith community, he is clearly concerned about the state of Muslims in relation to their impact on the environment.
The book is divided into three parts: Waste, Watts and Water. What is refreshing is how every chapter does not end with cliche angles. Instead he leaves the reader with questions for self-reflection. And keeps tying back the points in each chapter to one's relationship and understanding of the Divine.
"At its core, Islam is about developing a relationship with God. Islam then promotes relationship between people – families, neighbours, anyone. By putting at the forefront, relationship-building between other people, Islam tries to help humans heal from the oppressions they have suffered and de-emphasizes materialism. Ultimately, just as we do not need to create to be relevant, nor do we need to consume to be relevant. Islam brings us into a state of balance (mizan) so that we can come to see the role of steward (khalifah) as part of a more mindful practice.”
Each of the three parts of the book shows a considerable amount of research and interviews with people who are living the green deen. While a lot of the examples are American-centred, they are not irrelevant to the rest of the world. However, it does assume a certain class of readership. The part under Watts or Energy usage (or rather mis-use, over-use or abuse of) is an eye opener. A history lesson on the origins of oil control illustrates the delicate relationships Iran has with the US for example.
“Oil was first discovered in Iran in 1908 and was controlled by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company which today is known as BP. Over time, the Iranian people became resentful, for they never saw the profits of their land’s natural resource…”
Tracing the dependency on coal for electricity, another important aspect is brought to light – that of MountainTop removal Mining: how destructive it is and harmful to both the environment and humanity as a whole. When a mountain is blown off, flyrock and ash (part of the rubble boulders) can be so huge that they can kill people and in 2004, a three-year old child was one such casualty. Furthermore, this practice of mountain top removal mining results in flooding. “When a mountain top is removed, the rainwater goes straight down into the valleys below, increasing the volumes of the streams” increasing the overflow “by three to five times.” Plus it depletes water resources as the rubble just clogs up waterways etc.
These negative non-renewable uses of energy, Abdul-Matin terms as Energy from Hell and purports his case for remaining connected to the earth to feel its subsistence and to be reminded of our sense of responsibility. The tri-partite involvement of Govt-Private sector-NGOs to do their part and transform the way citizens understand the impact of their actions. I did feel he fell short of explaining the negative outcomes should a non-sustainable lifestyle continue. He says it but does not exemplify it.
What grabbed me most were the sections on Water and our current Food consumption patterns. As Muslims consume water on a more dedicated basis compared to others, for wudu/ablution (five times a day), Abdul-Matin curiously introduces what he calls one’s ‘wudu number’. This is calculated by doing wudu into a pail and at the end of it, using a water scoop/measuring cup to measure the number of scoops one has used. And the idea is to reduce that number every time. Not just at the individual level, but he encourages mosques to take a water meter reading every Friday before and after Friday prayers. Dividing the difference in the meter readings by the number of people who did wudu gives the approximate wudu number for each person. And to try and reduce their number by 10% in the subsequent week for example.
The last part of the book illustrates the lives of people who are walking on the green deen path.From farmer’s markets to the proper upbringing and slaughter of zabiha-meat (the process of halal starts from animal rearing), the examples are growing. One of Matin’s green voices, Qaid, explains that unless economic domestic problems are resolved, people cannot and will not be conscious of a green path in their lives. Qaid says: “You can’t have people lining up for green this and green that when a little girl’s daily problem is that her mother’s boyfriend is hitting her.”
A strong injunction in the Prophet’s hadith is to treat animals with love.
“They are not to be disrespected, denied food or water or hurt in any way. The Holy prophet (saw) once told the story of a woman who was punished because of a cat she had imprisoned until it died. ‘She entered the Hell Fire because of it, for she neither gave the cat food not water as she had imprisoned it, nor set it free to eat from the Earth.’ Killing and harming animals unjustly is unlawful and completely contradictory to the principles of balance (mizan) and Justice (adl) which are part of a Green Deen.”
The book ends with bringing together several environmental discussions by well-known advocates but also Matin’s very personal call to the reader in the context of why it is absolutely necessary to have and live by a green deen. His case is clear:
“The amount of carbon per person that is emitted into the atmosphere will not make any hearts leap. Overwhelming ‘evidence’ and a decision from environmental elites will not make the change. What will inspire change is connecting the planet to each person’s self-interest and ensuring each person’s understanding of the issues.” Something I think is sorely lacking in today’s current age of IT-madness.
Matin does end on a positive note but his point on initiative action is from the same thrust – to feel connected to the earth, only then will a person make the change in their lifestyle. Until and unless we make an effort to understand the issues, no substantive change will happen.
I would recommend this book to the non-Muslim reader as well – the list of Glossary at the end is well documented and self-explanatory. An inspirational and eye opening read, personalised and simply worded to resonate with the reader.
The book is divided into three parts: Waste, Watts and Water. What is refreshing is how every chapter does not end with cliche angles. Instead he leaves the reader with questions for self-reflection. And keeps tying back the points in each chapter to one's relationship and understanding of the Divine.
"At its core, Islam is about developing a relationship with God. Islam then promotes relationship between people – families, neighbours, anyone. By putting at the forefront, relationship-building between other people, Islam tries to help humans heal from the oppressions they have suffered and de-emphasizes materialism. Ultimately, just as we do not need to create to be relevant, nor do we need to consume to be relevant. Islam brings us into a state of balance (mizan) so that we can come to see the role of steward (khalifah) as part of a more mindful practice.”
Each of the three parts of the book shows a considerable amount of research and interviews with people who are living the green deen. While a lot of the examples are American-centred, they are not irrelevant to the rest of the world. However, it does assume a certain class of readership. The part under Watts or Energy usage (or rather mis-use, over-use or abuse of) is an eye opener. A history lesson on the origins of oil control illustrates the delicate relationships Iran has with the US for example.
“Oil was first discovered in Iran in 1908 and was controlled by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company which today is known as BP. Over time, the Iranian people became resentful, for they never saw the profits of their land’s natural resource…”
Tracing the dependency on coal for electricity, another important aspect is brought to light – that of MountainTop removal Mining: how destructive it is and harmful to both the environment and humanity as a whole. When a mountain is blown off, flyrock and ash (part of the rubble boulders) can be so huge that they can kill people and in 2004, a three-year old child was one such casualty. Furthermore, this practice of mountain top removal mining results in flooding. “When a mountain top is removed, the rainwater goes straight down into the valleys below, increasing the volumes of the streams” increasing the overflow “by three to five times.” Plus it depletes water resources as the rubble just clogs up waterways etc.
These negative non-renewable uses of energy, Abdul-Matin terms as Energy from Hell and purports his case for remaining connected to the earth to feel its subsistence and to be reminded of our sense of responsibility. The tri-partite involvement of Govt-Private sector-NGOs to do their part and transform the way citizens understand the impact of their actions. I did feel he fell short of explaining the negative outcomes should a non-sustainable lifestyle continue. He says it but does not exemplify it.
What grabbed me most were the sections on Water and our current Food consumption patterns. As Muslims consume water on a more dedicated basis compared to others, for wudu/ablution (five times a day), Abdul-Matin curiously introduces what he calls one’s ‘wudu number’. This is calculated by doing wudu into a pail and at the end of it, using a water scoop/measuring cup to measure the number of scoops one has used. And the idea is to reduce that number every time. Not just at the individual level, but he encourages mosques to take a water meter reading every Friday before and after Friday prayers. Dividing the difference in the meter readings by the number of people who did wudu gives the approximate wudu number for each person. And to try and reduce their number by 10% in the subsequent week for example.
The last part of the book illustrates the lives of people who are walking on the green deen path.From farmer’s markets to the proper upbringing and slaughter of zabiha-meat (the process of halal starts from animal rearing), the examples are growing. One of Matin’s green voices, Qaid, explains that unless economic domestic problems are resolved, people cannot and will not be conscious of a green path in their lives. Qaid says: “You can’t have people lining up for green this and green that when a little girl’s daily problem is that her mother’s boyfriend is hitting her.”
A strong injunction in the Prophet’s hadith is to treat animals with love.
“They are not to be disrespected, denied food or water or hurt in any way. The Holy prophet (saw) once told the story of a woman who was punished because of a cat she had imprisoned until it died. ‘She entered the Hell Fire because of it, for she neither gave the cat food not water as she had imprisoned it, nor set it free to eat from the Earth.’ Killing and harming animals unjustly is unlawful and completely contradictory to the principles of balance (mizan) and Justice (adl) which are part of a Green Deen.”
The book ends with bringing together several environmental discussions by well-known advocates but also Matin’s very personal call to the reader in the context of why it is absolutely necessary to have and live by a green deen. His case is clear:
“The amount of carbon per person that is emitted into the atmosphere will not make any hearts leap. Overwhelming ‘evidence’ and a decision from environmental elites will not make the change. What will inspire change is connecting the planet to each person’s self-interest and ensuring each person’s understanding of the issues.” Something I think is sorely lacking in today’s current age of IT-madness.
Matin does end on a positive note but his point on initiative action is from the same thrust – to feel connected to the earth, only then will a person make the change in their lifestyle. Until and unless we make an effort to understand the issues, no substantive change will happen.
I would recommend this book to the non-Muslim reader as well – the list of Glossary at the end is well documented and self-explanatory. An inspirational and eye opening read, personalised and simply worded to resonate with the reader.
April 28, 2011
Great book to outline issues that are relevant to us today, what we can do about it, and how it is connected to our deen... why we should care!
January 7, 2021
Very interesting perspectives about the role of spirituality and organized religion in championing environmentalism and the responsibility of Muslims to care for the environment.
Provides non-Muslims with cautionary tales about the impact of consumerism on our spiritual and worldly well-being as well, which is like panic inducing but also necessary ughhhhhhh.
Loved that the there were a lot of community and policy examples provided and that they weren’t solely focused on America and American Muslims.
The only thing I wish I could have gotten more information on was the counter arguments to the environmental movement in Islam, if it exists outright, and also commentary on the role of Muslim nations that produce oil from a spiritual perspective.
Provides non-Muslims with cautionary tales about the impact of consumerism on our spiritual and worldly well-being as well, which is like panic inducing but also necessary ughhhhhhh.
Loved that the there were a lot of community and policy examples provided and that they weren’t solely focused on America and American Muslims.
The only thing I wish I could have gotten more information on was the counter arguments to the environmental movement in Islam, if it exists outright, and also commentary on the role of Muslim nations that produce oil from a spiritual perspective.
September 12, 2013
This book was not what I expected. He begins it with a disclaimer that he is not a scholar of religion and this book is not a study of the case for environmentalism in Islam, and yet still...I expected it to hold more weight, and something more concrete and less simplistic.
He seems to start off by asserting that there are 6 principles to a green deen (without explaining how he derived them and why not 5 or 7), and then repeats the 6 principles like a mantra on almost every other page of the book. It sounds as though there's a stock paragraph stating that we can be better khalifas of the earth, fulfil our trust (amanah), move towards justice (adl) etc that he copied and inserted at very regular intervals.
He also proceeds with an unusual definition of tawheed, as the unity of all creation rather than the singularity of the creator. I have no problem with the premise that everything is interlinked, but this seems like a misreading of the sources.
From the author's biography he is clearly an expert in environmental policy, but the book was simplistic and greatly lacking depth for the majority of it. There were some redeeming features despite all this, with some educational anecdotes which gave me some inspiration to green up - the different organisations attempting to retrofit buildings to improve efficiency, or to provide organic and free-range halal meat to urban areas and influence the industry. America is a long way ahead of the UK in this respect.
In short, this book would be enjoyed by someone who has no idea how Islam can be compatible with an environmentally friendly lifestyle. But if you're looking for an academic or educational read on the topic, keep looking.
He seems to start off by asserting that there are 6 principles to a green deen (without explaining how he derived them and why not 5 or 7), and then repeats the 6 principles like a mantra on almost every other page of the book. It sounds as though there's a stock paragraph stating that we can be better khalifas of the earth, fulfil our trust (amanah), move towards justice (adl) etc that he copied and inserted at very regular intervals.
He also proceeds with an unusual definition of tawheed, as the unity of all creation rather than the singularity of the creator. I have no problem with the premise that everything is interlinked, but this seems like a misreading of the sources.
From the author's biography he is clearly an expert in environmental policy, but the book was simplistic and greatly lacking depth for the majority of it. There were some redeeming features despite all this, with some educational anecdotes which gave me some inspiration to green up - the different organisations attempting to retrofit buildings to improve efficiency, or to provide organic and free-range halal meat to urban areas and influence the industry. America is a long way ahead of the UK in this respect.
In short, this book would be enjoyed by someone who has no idea how Islam can be compatible with an environmentally friendly lifestyle. But if you're looking for an academic or educational read on the topic, keep looking.
May 2, 2021
“Because the Earth is the essence of our being, it is our responsibility to protect it. When we die, we will be resurrected in both body and spirit and will be held to account for all that we’ve done for ourselves, others, and the planet.”
Green Deen is an inspiring piece of work that draws the important connection between environmentalism and spirituality. To begin, the author lays out the basis of his argument by the principle of Oneness of God, which follows the Oneness of our state of being to the universe (and His creation). He asserts that our interdependency with the planet is a necessary and sufficient reason to protect and preserve the Earth and all that exist within it. Abdul-Matin explores the problem of overconsumption, waste, “energy from hell” (non-renewable), clean and fresh water scarcity and profit-based meat industries in the West (check out slide 2 for topics that is brought up in this book). Furthermore providing solutions for a greener lifestyle.
Abdul-Matin outlines some great and insightful solutions to overcome environmental disaster in a grand scheme. However, what I found lacking was his suggestions on what we can do at an individual level. I also think that his reflection on the meat industry is very Western-focused. North American meat industry is brutish, yet on the flip side it also serves as a reminder to not take the significance of halal food for granted. This book is reflective and it pushes you to reflect. It’s compassionate yet urgent at the same time. Green Deen is a must-read. A perfect reminder and food for thought to raise our own awareness on the significance of our doings and how it impacts others, animals, our planet and those who live once we cease to exist. 4.5/5 stars
Green Deen is an inspiring piece of work that draws the important connection between environmentalism and spirituality. To begin, the author lays out the basis of his argument by the principle of Oneness of God, which follows the Oneness of our state of being to the universe (and His creation). He asserts that our interdependency with the planet is a necessary and sufficient reason to protect and preserve the Earth and all that exist within it. Abdul-Matin explores the problem of overconsumption, waste, “energy from hell” (non-renewable), clean and fresh water scarcity and profit-based meat industries in the West (check out slide 2 for topics that is brought up in this book). Furthermore providing solutions for a greener lifestyle.
Abdul-Matin outlines some great and insightful solutions to overcome environmental disaster in a grand scheme. However, what I found lacking was his suggestions on what we can do at an individual level. I also think that his reflection on the meat industry is very Western-focused. North American meat industry is brutish, yet on the flip side it also serves as a reminder to not take the significance of halal food for granted. This book is reflective and it pushes you to reflect. It’s compassionate yet urgent at the same time. Green Deen is a must-read. A perfect reminder and food for thought to raise our own awareness on the significance of our doings and how it impacts others, animals, our planet and those who live once we cease to exist. 4.5/5 stars
April 5, 2016
Abdul-Matin proffers interesting and insightful solutions to what we should be doing on a grand scale with regards to looking after our environments, e.g. Investing in green mosques and showcasing some of the laudable efforts of Muslims making environmental changes in their communities.
It takes just before halfway through the book for the gems to really show through. What I found lacking at the start was suggestions on what we can do on an individual level. Initially, the book offers inspiration that may be more relevant to people who are already involved in energy conservation initiatives, while there is not as much on providing us with tips on what we can do on a day-to-day basis. The later chapters on water and food, conversely, offer practical tips on what we can do to live greener lifestyles and to be conscious of our wastage.
The Islamic perspective of environmentalism is mainly addressed through Abdul-Matin's six ethical principles (understanding the Oneness of God, seeing signs of His creation, being stewards of the earth, honouring the trust we have with God to protect the planet, moving towards justice and living in balance with nature). In these instances, the writing style was sometimes repetitive, and I often found myself skimming past these parts.
Nonetheless, I applaud the writer for tackling a topic that is not touched upon enough by the Muslim community, especially the section on wholesome food and relating to meat this is not just halal but also tayyeb. Hopefully this will inspire more research and work to be done in this increasingly pertinent field.
It takes just before halfway through the book for the gems to really show through. What I found lacking at the start was suggestions on what we can do on an individual level. Initially, the book offers inspiration that may be more relevant to people who are already involved in energy conservation initiatives, while there is not as much on providing us with tips on what we can do on a day-to-day basis. The later chapters on water and food, conversely, offer practical tips on what we can do to live greener lifestyles and to be conscious of our wastage.
The Islamic perspective of environmentalism is mainly addressed through Abdul-Matin's six ethical principles (understanding the Oneness of God, seeing signs of His creation, being stewards of the earth, honouring the trust we have with God to protect the planet, moving towards justice and living in balance with nature). In these instances, the writing style was sometimes repetitive, and I often found myself skimming past these parts.
Nonetheless, I applaud the writer for tackling a topic that is not touched upon enough by the Muslim community, especially the section on wholesome food and relating to meat this is not just halal but also tayyeb. Hopefully this will inspire more research and work to be done in this increasingly pertinent field.
May 20, 2022
This book covers a few aspects of life that has developed since, perhaps, the industrial revolution. The fast pace of life that we're going through now somehow necessitates all the convenience that technology gives, but to what outcome? A lot of damage done in the world is not reversible, especially when it comes to plastic waste.
Fear mongering is not the aim of the book. The author instead focuses on some ideas that we could do as individuals and communities to achieve a more sustainable way of living, based on general Islamic principles.
The author outlined the characteristics of a 'green' Muslim, who is "committed to being the stewards of the earth (khalifah), who understands the Oneness of God and His creation (tawhid), who looks for signs of Allah (ayat) in everything around him, who moves towards justice ('adl), who seeks to protect the delicate balance of the natural world (mizan), and honors his sacred trust with God to protect the planet (amana)".
He started with talking about waste and overconsumption, which is the main brace of capitalism.
He then proceeded with the chapter Watts, of which he wrote about the interesting concept of "energy from hell" which is unrenewable (that comes from oil, gas, coal and nuclear power), and the renewable "energy from heaven" which comes from the wind and the sun. This is where I found out about the horrifying mountaintop removal coal mining, and on the damaging oil spills on the oceans.
The chapter on water is an important chapter as we, Muslims, use water for many essential rituals. How do we reduce our water use while sticking to the religion? What did Prophet Muhammad (SAW) mean when he said there is indeed wastage even if you're taking wudhu' (ablution) in a flowing river? Here he presents a concept of "wudu number" of which we measure the amount of water we use during wudhu', and actively try to reduce that amount.
The chapter on food is the closest to my heart, because as someone who lives in the middle of a city, it is definitely difficult to get food sources that is truly tayyib (although they are halal). You'd begin to wonder how all the chicken were kept when they were alive, and about the carbon footprints of all the fish delivered to our supermarkets, the plastic packaging, the spices and herbs that may have come from all over the world.
We then realize on how dependent we are on transports (fueled by petrol), food that are not locally produced. What will happen to us if one of the supply chains is cut off? The way that the Suez Canal was blocked a few months ago, or when sunflower oil could not leave the warring Russia and Ukraine, causing the rise in palm oil prices. Recently we talk about the increasing price of flour, and the reduced supply of chicken. Who's going to suffer first?
The best aspect about the book is the way the author articulated how sustainable living indeed conforms with Islamic principles. It opens our eyes to the steps that we could take to live our lives the way Allah wanted us to.
Fear mongering is not the aim of the book. The author instead focuses on some ideas that we could do as individuals and communities to achieve a more sustainable way of living, based on general Islamic principles.
The author outlined the characteristics of a 'green' Muslim, who is "committed to being the stewards of the earth (khalifah), who understands the Oneness of God and His creation (tawhid), who looks for signs of Allah (ayat) in everything around him, who moves towards justice ('adl), who seeks to protect the delicate balance of the natural world (mizan), and honors his sacred trust with God to protect the planet (amana)".
He started with talking about waste and overconsumption, which is the main brace of capitalism.
He then proceeded with the chapter Watts, of which he wrote about the interesting concept of "energy from hell" which is unrenewable (that comes from oil, gas, coal and nuclear power), and the renewable "energy from heaven" which comes from the wind and the sun. This is where I found out about the horrifying mountaintop removal coal mining, and on the damaging oil spills on the oceans.
The chapter on water is an important chapter as we, Muslims, use water for many essential rituals. How do we reduce our water use while sticking to the religion? What did Prophet Muhammad (SAW) mean when he said there is indeed wastage even if you're taking wudhu' (ablution) in a flowing river? Here he presents a concept of "wudu number" of which we measure the amount of water we use during wudhu', and actively try to reduce that amount.
The chapter on food is the closest to my heart, because as someone who lives in the middle of a city, it is definitely difficult to get food sources that is truly tayyib (although they are halal). You'd begin to wonder how all the chicken were kept when they were alive, and about the carbon footprints of all the fish delivered to our supermarkets, the plastic packaging, the spices and herbs that may have come from all over the world.
We then realize on how dependent we are on transports (fueled by petrol), food that are not locally produced. What will happen to us if one of the supply chains is cut off? The way that the Suez Canal was blocked a few months ago, or when sunflower oil could not leave the warring Russia and Ukraine, causing the rise in palm oil prices. Recently we talk about the increasing price of flour, and the reduced supply of chicken. Who's going to suffer first?
The best aspect about the book is the way the author articulated how sustainable living indeed conforms with Islamic principles. It opens our eyes to the steps that we could take to live our lives the way Allah wanted us to.
July 12, 2020
Given the increasingly worrisome state of global warming and our community’s overall apathy towards it, this should be essential reading for every Muslim who needs to be reminded of their role on this earth as khalifas who should protect and respect the earth as an act of worship. This is a great introductory read for those who have little/no understanding of the relationship between Islam and the environment. It is a much needed reminder to re-evaluate ourselves as consumers, and re-align us and our community’s overall way of living so that we can fulfill our duty towards the gifts that Allah has entrusted us with.
I loved this book so much that I got it stocked at my business. If you'd like to support it, you can get the book here: https://tinyurl.com/y9hqapj6
After you'd read this, I'd really recommend reading Signs on the Earth by Fazlun Khalid for a more in-depth take in Islam: https://tinyurl.com/ydfmhkaf
I loved this book so much that I got it stocked at my business. If you'd like to support it, you can get the book here: https://tinyurl.com/y9hqapj6
After you'd read this, I'd really recommend reading Signs on the Earth by Fazlun Khalid for a more in-depth take in Islam: https://tinyurl.com/ydfmhkaf
August 31, 2016
Buku ini saya baca kira2 3 tahun yang lalu versi terjemahan Indonesia.
Menarik sekali, karena ternyata issue mengenai lingkungan hidup telah lama didengungkan oleh Islam jauh sebelum negara-negara barat ramai mensosialisasikan pola hidup "green life" untuk menyelamatkan bumi.
Buku ini sangat saya sarankan terutama bagi anda yang berkecimpung dalam pengelolaan masjid/rumah ibadah, karena dalam buku ini juga dipaparkan bagaimana mengelola masjid yang mengedepankan aspek keseimbangan alam, seperti penggunaan sumber daya air, listrik dll.
selamat membaca
Menarik sekali, karena ternyata issue mengenai lingkungan hidup telah lama didengungkan oleh Islam jauh sebelum negara-negara barat ramai mensosialisasikan pola hidup "green life" untuk menyelamatkan bumi.
Buku ini sangat saya sarankan terutama bagi anda yang berkecimpung dalam pengelolaan masjid/rumah ibadah, karena dalam buku ini juga dipaparkan bagaimana mengelola masjid yang mengedepankan aspek keseimbangan alam, seperti penggunaan sumber daya air, listrik dll.
selamat membaca
January 17, 2012
"The Earth is a Mosque."
On page 22: "If one of the great lies of our ages is that 'things' give us value, then the spiritual antidote is in developing your connection to God."
This is an awesome book that should make us all rethink the way that we are conducting our stewardship of the earth. People of all faiths can join to restore the proper attitude of respect and caring towards God's creation.
On page 22: "If one of the great lies of our ages is that 'things' give us value, then the spiritual antidote is in developing your connection to God."
This is an awesome book that should make us all rethink the way that we are conducting our stewardship of the earth. People of all faiths can join to restore the proper attitude of respect and caring towards God's creation.
July 10, 2014
While reading this book, it makes me appreciate the planet more and motivates me to always do good deeds on this Planet. To take a better care of our Planet. Every small deed is counted. Make a wave.Butterfly effect.
There are so many simple ways to do in order to protect our Planet. and it always starts in our own self! At home. Our very own surrounding.
There are so many simple ways to do in order to protect our Planet. and it always starts in our own self! At home. Our very own surrounding.
January 30, 2012
This book opened my eyes; really it did. I think it's a wonderful read for everybody. At first, I thought it was going to be boring, and just throw information at me; but - the way Ibrahim Abdul-Matin wrote it wasn't boring at all, I really enjoyed reading it! I always use to care about the environment, but this book actually made me care a lot more, and DO a lot more. Everyone should read this!
April 28, 2013
A great book for individual and group study and interfaith group sharing, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin's writing is eminently accessible for people who may be newer to thinking about ecology and faith or Islam. He asks great questions, shares stories of real people, and has much to offer people at different levels of practice and study in living faithfully, caring for the earth and attending one another.
March 6, 2012
Excellent! Great analysis, lots of inspirational (mostly Muslim) folks doing great things and captivatingly written- masha Allah to all of them and Ibrahim. I hope this is the among the catalyst for much more books and movement around Greening the deen, insha Allah.
August 1, 2023
As someone involved in the environmental justice movement, I found this book to be a good refresher. What stood out to me was the ties to my faith and how the author highlighted Muslim organizations that are involved in this work. I wasn’t aware of many of these and am grateful to learn about them. May the author rest in peace and have blessings for all the work he did in his life.
April 20, 2025
This book is a bit dated, but it’s a great primer on what Muslim communities, particularly in North America, can do to live more sustainably and in line with a “green deen” ethic. I especially enjoyed the concrete example Abdul-Matin provided about measuring community energy and water use, halal and ethical meat, and sustainable mosque design.
February 4, 2013
can be considered as a motivational book for giving an Islmaic dimension for your curiosity and care about nature and environment in general. Shows the generality prespective of Islam. Very good all in all and needs to be delivered to new generations in particular
October 20, 2014
Excellent. Short and easy read. So necessary. As Muslims a must as we are commissioned as khalifa of the earth or as stewards. Inspired us to create a unit on Green Deen for our KG Islamic Studies curriculum.
December 10, 2010
Ibrahim is a friend of mine from my old job. This was pretty interesting & I got about halfway through. Then, the New Yorker food issue arrived. So... priorities.
Read
September 23, 2012alhmdulilah fantastic loving it, so inspring inshallah i am taking more action
February 16, 2014
Good ideas that should be introduced to many parts of Muslim world.
September 28, 2014
Good book accessible to the average reader about applying Islamic principles to protecting the environment. Thoughtful and offers practical suggestions.
January 17, 2015
Very nice book reminding us that we are also part in this green movement and in fact have much to offer once we realise.
Spirituality combined with practicality
Spirituality combined with practicality
May 26, 2022
It was indeed a good read! I have many thoughts. Generally they are positive, and I would encourage others to read this book. (Ibrahim is a new colleague of mine, and I picked up his book to get to know his work a little better.)
The premise is an overview of the role of environmentalism in Islam and Islam in environmentalism, as well as ideas on how to make one's practice of the Muslim faith more Earth-friendly. The book is strongest when delivering on this premise. I very much enjoyed the specific Koranic citations - this bit on being grateful for fresh water for example: "Do you bring it Down (in rain) from the Cloud or do We? Were it Our Will, We could make it salty (and unpalatable): Then why do you not give thanks?" (Sounds like my dad asking whether I pay the electric bill!) I also think it does a good job of introducing environmental concepts to a lay person, and compellingly connecting them to the ethics of Islam. My favorite parts of the book are the case studies of how various Muslims are enacting the outlined principles in their daily lives and faiths.
The organization of the book was a little confusing, and a little repetitive, especially in the early chapters. I found the frequent repetition of the six guiding principles, each followed every time by its Arabic translation, tedious - I think defining them once and letting the reader know there's a mini-dictionary in the back might have sufficed. (That said, I could see getting strong opinions both for and against his approach, so it may be a matter of taste.) The constant referral to the term "green deen" felt a little forced, and the background information on the environmental movement felt slow to me. I suspect a vigorous editor might have improved the organizing and pacing issues, but this is a small press and it's the first book of its kind, as far as I'm aware. So, these setbacks can certainly be forgiven.
For a book that's more than a decade old on a subject as rapidly shifting as the environmental movement, Green Deen holds up. We're fighting fracking more than mountaintop removal, but the conservation solutions are largely the same. The solutions such as solar energy have come down in price and only become more feasible. Awareness around the inhumane and unsustainable impacts of factory meat farming are much more widely known. Yet bringing them into connection with the tenets of Islam remains an interesting and under-trod path. My suspicion is that, if the book came out today, it would speak more to system change and less to individual choices, but I don't think that detracts from its usefulness as it is. I enjoyed and recommend this book, which taught me a lot about Islam and its connections to the natural world.
The premise is an overview of the role of environmentalism in Islam and Islam in environmentalism, as well as ideas on how to make one's practice of the Muslim faith more Earth-friendly. The book is strongest when delivering on this premise. I very much enjoyed the specific Koranic citations - this bit on being grateful for fresh water for example: "Do you bring it Down (in rain) from the Cloud or do We? Were it Our Will, We could make it salty (and unpalatable): Then why do you not give thanks?" (Sounds like my dad asking whether I pay the electric bill!) I also think it does a good job of introducing environmental concepts to a lay person, and compellingly connecting them to the ethics of Islam. My favorite parts of the book are the case studies of how various Muslims are enacting the outlined principles in their daily lives and faiths.
The organization of the book was a little confusing, and a little repetitive, especially in the early chapters. I found the frequent repetition of the six guiding principles, each followed every time by its Arabic translation, tedious - I think defining them once and letting the reader know there's a mini-dictionary in the back might have sufficed. (That said, I could see getting strong opinions both for and against his approach, so it may be a matter of taste.) The constant referral to the term "green deen" felt a little forced, and the background information on the environmental movement felt slow to me. I suspect a vigorous editor might have improved the organizing and pacing issues, but this is a small press and it's the first book of its kind, as far as I'm aware. So, these setbacks can certainly be forgiven.
For a book that's more than a decade old on a subject as rapidly shifting as the environmental movement, Green Deen holds up. We're fighting fracking more than mountaintop removal, but the conservation solutions are largely the same. The solutions such as solar energy have come down in price and only become more feasible. Awareness around the inhumane and unsustainable impacts of factory meat farming are much more widely known. Yet bringing them into connection with the tenets of Islam remains an interesting and under-trod path. My suspicion is that, if the book came out today, it would speak more to system change and less to individual choices, but I don't think that detracts from its usefulness as it is. I enjoyed and recommend this book, which taught me a lot about Islam and its connections to the natural world.
May 4, 2022
Akhirnya selesaii. Meski rasanya buku ini tidak mengupas dalam, baik dari sisi keilmiahan lingkungan maupun sisi agama, tapi secara keseluruhan memberikan gambaran tentang hubungan kelestarian lingkungan dengan agama dengan cukup holistik.
Buku ini mengklaim sebagai serangkaian pemikiran, kisah, dan saran-saran praktis untuk membantu menelusuri Agama Hijau. Kalau menurut saya, porsi paling banyak dalam buku ini adalah kisah pengalaman saudara-saudara muslim kita yang sudah dan sedang menerapkan jalan hidup 'hijau'. Menariknya, justru mereka tinggal di negara-negara dimana Islam bukan agama mayoritas.
Sempat sedikit disinggung juga soal Indonesia, dikatakan,
"Indonesia, sebuah negeri di mana makanan segar dan organis mudah didapat... Karena bisa menyembelih hewan di peternakan terdekat kapan pun mereka mau, mereka tidak perlu mengkhawatirkan kehalalan daging. Mereka pun banyak makan ikan dan sayuran"
Dengan kata lain, seharusnya lebih mudah menerapkan pola hidup hijau di Indonesia. Tapi realitanya, kita-kita sepertinya belum banyak yang menerapkan itu ya?
Buku ini mengklaim sebagai serangkaian pemikiran, kisah, dan saran-saran praktis untuk membantu menelusuri Agama Hijau. Kalau menurut saya, porsi paling banyak dalam buku ini adalah kisah pengalaman saudara-saudara muslim kita yang sudah dan sedang menerapkan jalan hidup 'hijau'. Menariknya, justru mereka tinggal di negara-negara dimana Islam bukan agama mayoritas.
Sempat sedikit disinggung juga soal Indonesia, dikatakan,
"Indonesia, sebuah negeri di mana makanan segar dan organis mudah didapat... Karena bisa menyembelih hewan di peternakan terdekat kapan pun mereka mau, mereka tidak perlu mengkhawatirkan kehalalan daging. Mereka pun banyak makan ikan dan sayuran"
Dengan kata lain, seharusnya lebih mudah menerapkan pola hidup hijau di Indonesia. Tapi realitanya, kita-kita sepertinya belum banyak yang menerapkan itu ya?
February 18, 2020
This book was personally life-changing. I have always seen the importance and value of environmentalism and made efforts to be accountable for my waste in my everyday life, but this book opened up the conversation to more than the danger of single-use plastics. Abdul-Matin encourages the reader to understand the Islamic principles of being a Khalifa, or steward, to the earth as Allah has clearly defined. Abdul-Matin also encourages the reader to understand the deep history of Muslims in America working to live and grow sustainably, even in the largest cities in the county. As someone moving to New York City, it was personally helpful to read about different Muslim farmers and growers who provide resources to people in the city. Easy Read, would recommend to everyone.
March 21, 2022
Penulis buku ini, seorang muslim Amerika yang dibesarkan oleh orangtua mualaf, sangat komit berkegiatan sebagai aktivis lingkungan yang banyak meneliti dan berinteraksi dengan banyak komunitas pecinta lingkungan, tak hanya dari kalangan muslim, tetapi juga antar iman. Ia berharap, bisa ‘mengubah dunia’ lewat aksi-aksinya menyuarakan isu-isu lingkungan. Terutama sekali isu mengenai limbah, energi, air dan makanan.
Review selengkapnya, silakan dilihat di:
https://www.santiartanti.com/2022/03/...
Review selengkapnya, silakan dilihat di:
https://www.santiartanti.com/2022/03/...
May 14, 2021
I appreciated the practical focus of this book. Often, ecotheological texts become too wrapped up in the theoretical, but this book did not. Easy-to-understand, filled with feasible action items, and sincerely grounded in Islamic approaches to environmental care, this book offers to change environmental action in ways many theological texts fail to.
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