By Ahmed Bello Dogarawa
The world today is facing the serious consequences of global warming, made worse by human-induced climate change. These environmental disruptions are threatening life on Earth and deepening social, economic, and ethical inequalities.
In response, global efforts are underway to tackle climate change. Religious and political leaders, scientists, and environmentalists are working together to raise awareness about harmful human activities and promote sustainable alternatives. However, the effects of climate change continue to intensify across all areas of life.
Islam, as a universal religion with timeless and comprehensive teachings, offers a unique perspective on environmental protection and sustainability. It considers the preservation of the environment a moral and religious duty. Islam views humans as trustees (khalīfah) of the Earth, responsible for safeguarding it from harm. Therefore, addressing climate change from an Islamic standpoint involves moral, social, and ethical responsibility.
The Concept of Climate Change
Climate change is a change in the Earth’s climate caused directly or indirectly by human activities that affect the atmosphere, beyond the natural changes that normally happen over time. It means a long-term change in weather patterns or average weather conditions in a place. When these changes continue in one direction over a long time, they lead to a shift in the area’s overall climate. So, time is a key factor in understanding climate change.
Climate change is mainly driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, certain agricultural and industrial practices, and changes in land use. These actions increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. Although not directly related to weather, natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions can also affect the atmosphere and contribute to harmful climate change.
The effects of climate change—such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, cold spells, forest fires, food and water shortages, diseases, and landslides—pose serious risks to billions of people, especially those who rely on land for survival. While all countries contribute to climate change, a few are responsible for the majority of emissions. In 2020, China, the USA, India, the European Union, Indonesia, Russia, and Brazil together produced about half of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The current climate crisis is largely due to human actions that disrupt the Earth’s natural balance—mainly through the unchecked pursuit of wealth and consumption. This has led to serious harm to ecosystems, animals, plants, and vulnerable communities.
To reduce climate change, experts recommend cutting down greenhouse gas emissions, using less energy, adopting cleaner heating methods, and switching to renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Achieving this goal depends on strong and effective green energy policies.
Islam and Climate Change
Islam offers a unique perspective on the conceptualisation of climate change and how it should be addressed. It contributes to the understanding of climate change—its causes, consequences, and solutions—through both perceptual and behavioural approaches.
Firstly, Islam shapes Muslims’ perception of the rights of all creatures, including the environment and its inhabitants. As trustees (khulafāʾ) of the Earth and the most honoured among its inhabitants, Muslims are taught to recognise the dangers of harming the environment or disrupting the balance of its elements.
In line with this approach, Islam teaches that caring for the environment is a responsibility for every Muslim. This stems from the belief that Allah is the Creator, who has made everything with perfection and purpose. He created the Earth in balance (mīzān) and provided humans with essential resources such as land, air, and water. Muslims believe they will be held accountable for how they use and protect these blessings.
The Qur’an teaches that all living things are interconnected, and that the Earth was created by Allah for the benefit of all creatures. As the most honoured of Allah’s creations, humans have a duty to safeguard the environment and everything within it. Allah has appointed humans as stewards (khulafāʾ) on Earth and will test them based on how they manage the resources entrusted to them.
The second Islamic approach to addressing climate change involves shaping behaviour. Islam molds the attitudes of its followers to understand and respond to the causes and consequences of climate-related problems, aiming ultimately at environmental sustainability.
Through this behavioural approach, Islam calls on Muslims to protect the environment with justice, mercy, and compassion. It teaches that taking action against climate change—through any positive and lawful means—is not merely a social obligation but a religious duty. It is an essential part of fulfilling their role as stewards of the Earth and demonstrating care for all of Allah’s creation.
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As the ultimate role model for all Muslims, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified the best way to relate with the environment and its inhabitants. Throughout his life, he demonstrated a deep respect for nature and showed care and mercy toward all living beings. His actions were guided by the principles of moderation, balance, kindness, and justice—all of which are reflected in numerous authentic Hadiths.
Although the term “climate change” did not exist during the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) lifetime, his teachings and practices offer timeless ethical and practical guidance that align with modern principles of environmental protection, sustainability, and balance. His example addresses key causes of environmental harm—such as overconsumption, waste, injustice, and environmental degradation—and provides a prophetic model of stewardship based on moderation, mercy, and responsibility.
It is therefore evident that Islam’s approach to climate change is both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, it shapes the perceptions of its followers regarding the significance of the environment and their responsibilities as trustees of the Earth. Practically, it provides guidance on concrete actions to take in addressing climate-related challenges and promoting environmental sustainability.
Islam’s Role in Tackling Climate Change
In August 2018, the Islamic Declaration on Climate Change was announced at the International Islamic Climate Change Symposium in Turkey. The Declaration is rooted in Islamic teachings from the Qur’an and Sunnah about caring for the environment and using natural resources responsibly.
The Declaration addresses climate change from an Islamic perspective, explaining what it is, how it should be understood, and what role Muslims should play in solving its challenges. It includes key points about the duty of Muslims to help protect the Earth and respond to the global climate crisis.
The Declaration acknowledges that human greed and unchecked pursuit of economic growth have caused serious harm to the Earth. This includes climate change, pollution of land, water, and air, deforestation, soil erosion, desertification, and negative effects on human health, such as modern diseases. The declares: “Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what people’s own hands have done, so that they may taste something of what they have done, and hopefully they will turn back.”
Humans are only one part of the larger community of living beings that share the Earth. The Qur’an says that the Earth is a shared resource for all creatures, not just for humans. Therefore, humans must not harm or dominate other parts of creation because they are also a community like humans. Instead, they are commanded to treat all living things with compassion, care, and a deep sense of responsibility before their Creator.
In light of the above, the Declaration urges all Muslims to follow the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in protecting the environment and caring for all living beings. His actions reflected deep respect for nature and compassion toward all creatures.
The Prophet protected the rights of all living beings, banned harmful customs such as the killing of infant girls, prohibited killing animals for sport, forbade the felling of trees in the desert unless necessary, discouraged the killing of harmful insects with fire, and taught water conservation—even during ablution.
He created safe zones around Makkah and Madinah where no plants could be cut and no animals harmed, except those that pose a direct threat to human life or safety. He also set up protected areas to preserve land, plants, and wildlife.
In addition, the Prophet lived simply, avoided waste, and reused or gave away what he had. He ate modest, healthy food, with meat only occasionally. He appreciated the beauty of nature, and the Qur’an describes him as “a mercy to all beings.”
The relevance of Prophetic guidance to today’s climate change efforts can beunderstood from many contexts. Islam discourages the excessive use of energy, food, and water—key contributors to environmental harm. This supports global efforts to reduce waste and promote mindful consumption. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged planting trees, which helps clean the air, store carbon, support wildlife, and fight deforestation—a major cause of climate change.
The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) simple lifestyle reflects a low-carbon way of living, showing how Islamic teachings support sustainability and climate solutions. Islam promotes fairness, moderation, and care in using natural resources. This helps protect the environment, ecosystems, and vulnerable communities from the harmful effects of climate change.
Islam teaches that people must use resources wisely and care for the environment that supports them. It encourages moderation and discourages waste. Misusing resources or harming nature leads to climate change and pollution. Since Muslims are trusted by Allah to protect the Earth, they are expected to help stop environmental damage and support sustainable living.
Professor Dogarawa of Accounting department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, presented this keynote address at the 19th annual International Youth Essay Competition organised by the Crystal Muslim Organisation, at Gusau Institute, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna, on Saturday, 21st June, 2025. (abellodogarawa@gmail.com)
