In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind

Quranic Wonders and Actions for Sustainable Living

Alhamdulillah! All praise and thanks are due to Allah SWT, our Rabb, our Creator, Nourisher, Sustainer, Provider, Protector, Curer and Ultimate Guide. We are truly blessed, to have been sent the Final Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who has delivered the beautiful words of Allah, the Glorious Quran, and taught us the Sunnah way of life, as salvation for mankind.

Allah SWT is the Creator of all that exists. By pondering on the Quran and the creations of Allah, we can gain a deeper understanding of His Glory and truly appreciate the gifts He has bestowed upon us. When reading the verses of the Quran regarding the natural environment, it is evident that the Quran is the Word of Allah, The Creator, Al Khalik. For no human, at the time of revelation or even centuries later, could have known details of creation as described in the Quran, of which science has only recently discovered. The Glorious Quran contains infinite miracles, that leaves one in awe of The Creator, and confirm that the Holy Quran is the book of truth. Allah SWT says:

“We will show them Our signs in the universe, and in their own selves until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Quran) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things?” (Surah Fussilat, 41:53)

The intention of the Radio Islam Green Muslim Series is to inform Muslims about current environmental affairs, highlight the Quranic verses and Hadith that have linkages to the environment and academic science, and provide practical tips on how we as Muslims can positively interact with the environment, through intentional actions towards sustainable green living, in sha Allah.

Articles in the Radio Islam Green Muslim Series:

1. Why Nature Is Sacred To Muslims

2. Respect for the Provisions Provided by Allah SWT, Through Nature

3. Global Environmental Change, Ecosystem Services and Local Actions We Can Take

4. The Importance Of Water And How We Can Save It

5. Climate Change and What We Can Do

6. Food Security and Health: Grow your own vegetables

7. Pollution and waste problems: How we can mitigate the impacts

More to come, in sha Allah!

About the Author:

Rashieda Davids is a Muslim sister who was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. Her passion for both Deen and the environment has led her to delve into the study of the miracles of the Quran and science and has recently completed her PhD in Environmental Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal; holds an M.Sc. in Geography, University of Pretoria; B.Sc. (Hons) in Environmental and Geographical Science and B.Sc. in Environmental and Geographical Science and Ocean and Atmosphere Science, from the University of Cape Town. Rashieda is a Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA)) and a Registered Professional Natural Scientist: Environmental Science – South African Council of Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). She has worked in the three main environmental sectors; the research, government and private sectors, where her roles included managing sustainable development and planning processes, academic research in social-ecological systems, ecosystem services and environmental management; biodiversity conservation planning, environmental project leadership, strategic environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments, broad stakeholder and authority engagement and environmental stewardship. The journey of gaining Islamic knowledge is endless, and Rashieda continues to strive to learn and practice upon her learnings, for the pleasure of Allah SWT.

May Allah SWT accept all of our efforts to please Him and may He guide and protect us on this beautiful journey of discovery, Aameen.

And Allah SWT knows best.