As the second week of Ramadan comes to a close, we continue to be tested with spiritual and physical hardships due to fasting. Fasting and abstaining from food, water, and other pleasures allows us to self-reflect on the privileges that we are blessed with within our own lives. We are reminded of those in poverty who may not be as fortunate and those who do not possess any basic necessities.
As Muslims, it is our responsibility to live sustainably and to act as caretakers toward our planet. Ramadan provides us with the perfect opportunity to shift towards a more eco-friendly mindset and lifestyle. Though this is a feasible goal during the month, the greater challenge lies in continuing these sustainable habits after Ramadan.
“And it is He (God) who has made you successors (khalifas) upon the earth…” (Surah Al-An’am 165)
وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ الْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيم
[7]
At an individual level, the easiest habit you can start focusing on is the act of sustainable eating. Sustainable eating within an Islamic framework is completely achievable as the Qur’an consists of many applicable verses that can be connected to the environment. Here, we will explore the many different ways we can alter our lifestyle to become more sustainable during the holy month of Ramadan as well as afterwards. We will also see ways in which sustainable development goals #2 & #6 are applicable.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Meat Consumption
Come time to break fast, meat-based dishes are one of the most common dishes that you can find during iftar. Meat consumption is one of the biggest negative impacts that we humans have on the environment, and as Muslims we can unintentionally exacerbate environmental harm during Ramadan. There are many strategies to mitigate your own impact on the environment. Firstly, you don’t necessarily have to eliminate meat out of all your meals for iftar. By going one meatless iftar a week, you can help reduce your carbon footprint as a result of the decreased meat production.
Plant-Based Diet
Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into iftar meals are the healthiest substitution for meat-based dishes.
“It is He who sends down rain from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date palm and its spate come clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when then begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. ” (Surah Al-An’am : 99)
وَهُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًا نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّا مُّتَرَاكِبًا وَمِنَ النَّخْلِ مِ ن طَلْعِهَا قِنْوَانٌ دَانِيَةٌ وَجَنَّاتٍ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالرُّمَّانَ مُشْتَبِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَابِهٍ انظُرُواْ إِلِى ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَيَنْعِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكُمْ لآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ [6]
It is quite easy to fall into the habit of breaking your fast with junk food. Turning to fruits and vegetables instead, such as the ones mentioned here in the Qur’an, can provide you with many health benefits. These benefits can include keeping your skin hydrated, aiding in digestion, and can supply you with instant energy.
An additional approach to reducing your footprint is the option to buy fresh produce locally. You wouldn’t just be helping out small businesses but you also wouldn’t have to worry about the environmental costs of the production chain of your purchased produce. Though prices may be steeper, this is a great alternative way to incorporate produce into your iftar and dinner.
Food Waste
Every year there is an estimated one third of all food produced ends up going to waste, either due to spoilage or due to poor agricultural practices. This is equivalent to about 1.3 billion tonnes of waste, which is a reflection of the sheer degree of unsustainable eating habits [3]. During Ramadan, food waste is significantly much higher than other months, reaching up to 25% of generated waste [8]. Allah advises us to eat and drink in moderation as otherwise it suggests a life of extravagance,
Eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters (Surat Al-A’raf 7: 31)
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِين
[5]
With a global estimation of around 800 million people who remain hungry, and the issue of food availability and shortages in developing countries, it is important to tackle this issue at an individual level during Ramadan where leftovers after iftar are a given [3].
There are many different ways of handling iftar waste at a small-scale.
For instance, you can….
- Dedicate an iftar to leftover food remaining from a previous night.
- Try to shop for groceries without purchasing more than what you actually need for iftar.
- Make arrangements for anyone who would like to take some leftovers home.
- Donate leftovers to local and residential food banks.
- Portion control is a good strategy in minimizing food waste as you can simply advise others to come back for seconds if they wish to do so after their first plate.
Water Waste
In connection to Surah 7:3, it is important to additionally be mindful of your water usage during Ramadan. There are many different tips that you can utilize to minimize water wastage within your own life.
- Shift away from plastic water bottles and make the switch to tap water if you can. You can use a filter and store your water in the fridge.
- Try to minimize any type of wastage when preparing for iftar. There are many different uses for scraps that result from cooking. For example, reusing boiled water is a classic example of preserving and reusing ingredients. If you’ve used the boiled water to cook vegetables, you can preserve it as vegetable stock for later use.
- If bottles of water must go to waste, you can use the remainder of them to water the plants and grass of your home.
Conclusion
Though many of us are already quite familiar with environmentally friendly tips, it is usually much harder to actually enact them within your own life.
As we enter into the third week of Ramadan, let us keep in mind what it truly means to purify ourselves by fasting. Reshaping our attitudes and values throughout the month with respect to the teachings of Allah will allow us to reconcile our relationship with both the earth and ourselves. As muslims, it is undeniable that we carry a sense of responsibility within ourselves to care for and to look after the environment and the many resources it provides us.
If you have any tips that you would like to share for a green Ramadan, please share below!
Resources
[1] THE 17 GOALS | sustainable development. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from //sdgs.un.org/goals
[2] – sdg indicators. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from //unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2020/
[3] Goal 2 | Department of economic and social affairs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from //sdgs.un.org/goals/goal2
[4] Goal 6 | Department of economic and social affairs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from //sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6
[5] Surah Al-A’raf – 31-37. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from //quran.com/7/31-37
[6] Al-Anam-99, Surah The Cattles Verse-99 / the Noble Quran (Read Quran in English, Listen Quran). (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from //en.noblequran.org/quran/surah-al-anam/ayat-99/
[7] Surah Al-An’am – 165. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from //quran.com/6/165?translations=20%2C21%2C85%2C101
[8] Hassandarvish, M. (2019, May 29). Over 120,000 tonnes of food go to waste during Ramadan, but only a fraction IS donated: Malay Mail. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from //www.malaymail.com/news/life/2019/05/29/over-120000-tonnes-of-food-go-to-waste-during-ramadan-but-only-a-fraction-i/1757486