Caring for the Earth is worship: Environmental ethics in Islam

In an age of ecological crisis, what is the Islamic perspective on environmentalism and eco-consciousness? This unit explores the question first with an investigation of the modern, large-scale impact human activities are having on the environment. Students are then given a Qur'anic framework to think through some of our ecological challenges and the moral imperative to be care-takers of the environment. This unit concludes with prophetic advice on how students can care for the environment in their individual lives.

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Introduction

How to use Yaqeen Curriculum

Unit overview and learning objectives

Unit at a glance

Lesson 1

Contributors to the environmental crisis

The first lesson demonstrates how human activities on a global scale increasingly and systematically lead to ecological destruction. Students will analyze their own roles within these systems and how some of our choices are unsustainable.

Lesson plan

Slides

Worksheets

1.1 Worksheet: Contributors to the environmental crisis

Lesson 2

What does the Qur’an say about the environment?

This lesson explores how the Qur’an speaks about the environment in three major themes: as a sign to reflect on, as something put in service of humankind for their benefit, and as a creation that humans are meant to care for and maintain. By the end of this lesson, students will derive three Qur’anic principles that can be applied to improve their own environmental ethics.

Lesson plan

Slides

Worksheets

2.1 Worksheet: Stations - Exploring Qur’anic verses

2.2 Worksheet: Qur’anic verses on the environment

2.3 Worksheet: Fulfilling our responsibility

2.4 Homework: An analysis of stuff

Lesson 3

Prophetic instruction and personal ethics

In the third and final lesson, students will explore the Prophetic principle of moderation. Students are encouraged to apply this prophetic principle to their own lifestyle by analyzing their own choices and how they impact the environment. By studying the lifestyle choices and teachings of the Prophet ﷺ students will learn to cultivate Islamic ethical principles that inform an environmentally-responsible outlook.