Muslim burial rights are eco-friendly

It was historic when the world’s most wanted man, Osama bin Laden, was laid to rest somewhere in the Arabian Sea, which some are calling the ultimate green burial. US officials told news agencies the sea burial followed Islamic customs.

What are Islamic customs for death? Bin Laden’s body was ritually washed, shrouded in a plain white sheet and placed in a weighted bag. Arabic prayers were said over the body, which was then tilted off a flat board from the deck of the USS aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and allowed to slide off into the sea.

While there is no strict time frame for Muslim burials, senior US officials focused on disposing the body within 24 hours, out of respect for the Muslim community, and the decomposing process. This 24-hour rule was not applied for Uday and Qusay Hussein – sons of Iraqi leader Saddam – when in 2003 U.S forces preserved their bodies for 11 days through embalmment.

Since the death Muslim scholars have issued statements for and against sea burials and the ethics behind the mystery of a watery grave.

Egyptian lawyer Montasser el-Zayat said Bin Laden’s sea burial was designed to prevent his grave from becoming a shrine or “a symbol”.

In Islamic tradition, sea burials can be allowed but only in extraordinary cases where the death occurs aboard a ship that is a “long distance from land”. Shiite cleric Ibrahim al-Jabari spoke out that if the death occurs on land, the person “should be buried in the ground… Otherwise this would only be inviting fish to a banquet.”

How Muslims Bury The Deceased

On land
Like Jewish burials, the Muslim funeral rites are simple and to the point. Out of respect for the dead cremations are not allowed. In Judaism cremations are not allowed because they believe in reincarnation. Muslims believe the lifeless body still ‘feels’ and will be brought back to life whole. In Islamic teaching the earth and sea are clean burial sites that do not prerequisite elaborate markings or coffins.

• Close family members close the eyes of the deceased and carry out a ritual ablution called ‘ghusl’ – purifying the body three times with water and perfume.
• The body is wrapped completely with clean sheets, preferably white, known as a ‘kaffan’, similar to coffin.
• Those present make a du`a – an Islamic prayer – and perform ‘salat-ul janazah’, a unique prayer in Arabic for the departed soul.
• The wrapped body is then lowered on its right side into a grave, usually without a box coffin and facing the direction of Mecca. The dug earth covers the grave and a small stone is placed at the head to mark the grave. Earth to earth, dust to dust.

In the sea –

The difference between an earth and sea burial is only in the final resting place. The shrouded body should be lowered into the water in a vessel of clay or with a weight tied to its feet.

If a person dies on a ship and there is no risk of decay, the body is retained on board to be buried in the ground after reaching land. Otherwise, after the Muslim rites are performed, the body is lowered into the sea as far as possible to avoid being disturbed by the sea predators.

Green to the end – the environmental impact of burials

• Water pollution is one of the most commonly cited problems of large cemeteries. As remains are converted to minerals the drainage shifts although drinking sources are not affected negatively.
• Any infective viruses in the deceased can be isolated by surrounding plants. Placing plants with intricate root systems around burial sites is a productive and beautiful way to pull viruses from the soil and counter soil and water contamination, which restricts the movement of microorganisms through the soil.
• If you considered a cremation remember that is uses substantial amounts of energy and fuel, as well as expelling carbon monoxide into the atmosphere – a potent greenhouse gas.
• Sea burials degrade at a slower rate due to the oxygen levels and cooler temperatures.
• With the help of natural microbial processes and corrosion, even an eco-coffin made from recycled material will eventually break down into its basic natural elements.

Osama bin Laden’s sea burial is technically eco-friendly but the decision behind it was more politically driven. Akbar Ahmed, the chairman of the Islamic studies department at American University, told The New York Times that sea burial prevented Bin Laden’s resting place from becoming a powerful shrine.

“If they allowed Osama bin Laden to be buried in Pakistan, his followers would… plant flowers, and women will say the shrine has healing powers, especially among the uneducated. His myth would continue to grow.”

For Muslims, both land and sea burials are means of connecting with nature: a returning to the original source of organic matter. Although sea burials have minimal environmental impact, every burial method has some contribution to the Earth’s equilibrium.

More on greening the afterlife:
Saudi Arabia Has the Highest Road Accident Death Toll in the World
Eco Funeral? Jewish Burials Are Green
“If I Die” Lets Facebook Prepare A Video Clip Launched At Death
Horses: The Silent Victims of Egypt’s Revolution
Why 27 People A Day Die From Air Pollution in Tehran
The Oldest Iranian Is Dying

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For a small vegetable, garlic sure has a big reputation. Check out why Islam promotes its consumption one clove at a time.

Garlic does not bring good luck or ward off vampires, but it can transform any meal into an aromatic and healthy culinary experience. Garlic (from the allium family) is a cousin to onions, leeks and chives, which is why it is known for its pungent punchy flavour and fragrance.

Why is garlic holy to Muslims?

Garlic is mentioned just once in the Qur’an, Islam’s divine scripture. The revelations about garlic and herbs were sent in the historical context of the Children of “Israel”, that is, the descendants of Prophet Yaqūb or Jacob. They weren’t too happy about the types of food God provided for them and so they spoke to their Prophet Moses:

‘…And [recall] when you said, “O Moses, we can never endure one [kind of] food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions.” [Moses] said, “Would you exchange what is better for what is less? Go into [any] settlement and indeed, you will have what you have asked”…’ (Qur’an, 2:61)

In the exegesis (tafsir) of this verse we learn that God reprimanded the Children of Israel for asking to exchange one type of food for something considered inferior. The lesson was to enjoy and be creative with the healthy and natural produce you have.

Thūm or Fūm: how do you say garlic in Arabic?

The classical Qur’an scholar Ibn Abbas, said that the Arabic word Fūm translated as garlic, while Ibn Mas`ud read it as Thūm (‘th’ as in thin).

Fūm (Foom) is one of those words whose pronunciation altered whereby the letter ‘fa’ was replaced with ‘tha’, although according to Ibn Kathir, another original Qur’an interpreter, Fūm is also a type of wheat used for baking bread. (Fumu-lanna means ‘bake for us’)

In Hebrew, a semitic language that pre-dates Islam, people say “shoom” for garlic.

What’s allicin?

When garlic cloves are chewed, crushed or cut, they release a sulphur-bearing compound called allicin – the chemical that gives garlic its pungent taste and smell. And it’s the allicin that is thought to be responsible for garlic’s therapeutic qualities.

Apart from the eye-watering bite, garlic reeks when eaten raw. Too much is even bad for your digestion. This is something to consider particularly when you’re meeting clients, about to get kissed or visiting God’s place of worship to pray.

Prophet Muhammad, said: “Anyone who eats garlic and onions or leeks should not come near our Mosque. The angels are harmed by what harms the sons of Adam.” [Muslim hadith]

Consideration for others and good hygiene is the message here. Garlic breath is a no-brainer so use common sense and don’t overdo it.

Origins of Garlic

Garlic grows as a “bulb” head, averaging about 2 to 3 inches in size and consists of numerous small separate cloves. Both the cloves and the entire bulb are encased in paper-like coats that can be coloured off-white or have a pinkish hue.

To remove, use a small knife to peel the skins, drop the cloves into boiling then cold water to shock them or (and this is my favourite method), bang each clove with the flat side of a knife/rolling-pin against a chopping board and pick the skins off.

Garlic is native to central Asia and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region. Garlic is grown globally, even in the United Kingdom but according to the United States Department of Agriculture (2006), China is by far the largest producer of garlic, with approximately 10.5 million tonnes grown annually, accounting for over 77% of world output. India (4.1%) and South Korea (2%) follow, with Egypt and Russia (1.6%) tied in fourth place. People tend to steer clear of Chinese garlic if possible because of unrestricted use of pesticides in China and the bleaching of their garlic.

Fresh, dried and powdered garlic are available in markets throughout the year, however, fresh varieties from the UK are in season from autumn – September –  right through to late spring – April. You can always grow your own. If you live in cold climates, plant teeth after the first frost and cover with straw. You should have lots of new garlic the following summer.

Choose a hardy variety like ‘white pearl’.

Cooking With Garlic

The papery, protective layers of “skin” over garlic are generally discarded for cooking although garlic is best roasted whole in the oven, skins and all intact.

Garlic is a wonderful seasoning to breads, soups and meat dishes. Try sourdough bread, our recipe? It can be added at the first stage to a recipe, crushed or ground to a paste and fried in a little oil. Or it can be grated at the end of cooking process to retain the maximum flavour and nutrition.

Roast whole cloves with potatoes and chicken until they’re charred and soft; for garlic bread just rub a sliced clove onto a halved baguette and drizzle in olive oil before grilling.

Health Benefits Of Garlic

Garlic’s antibacterial and antiviral properties are perhaps its most legendary feature.

If you feel a the flu virus attacking (or coronavirus) eat a raw clove or two knowing that it’ll beat the virus faster than prescribed medicine. Of course don’t munch on garlic as is—unless you’re happy with that—thinly slice it, eat it with toast or chop in halves and gulp down with water like a pill.

This vegetable has been studied not only for its benefits in controlling infection by bacteria, but also infection from other microbes including yeasts and fungi.

Our red blood cells use molecules from garlic called polysulfides to produce hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S). This in turn helps our blood vessels expand and keep our blood pressure in check.

Other benefits from just one clove a day will top your body’s supply of:

• Vitamin C – for tissue growth and repair
• Vitamin B6 – important for metabolism and immunity
• Selenium, iron, calcium and manganese minerals

There are people who are allergic to garlic so be kind and ask before cooking for others.

Note: Don’t microwave garlic as this kills its active ingredients.

More holy greens from Islam:
Plants Of The Quran: Pomegranate
Is Organic Food Really Healthier?
Black Cumin: Islam’s Miracle Cure Seed

Article updated March 2022

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American Muslim scholar Imam Zaid Shakir encourages the Muslim community across the world to support their nation’s “Green Ramadan Initiative” by cultivating Green Iftars at your mosques.

The inter-faith organisation Green Faith are also hosting a Green Ramadan webinar later this July in which the eco-Imam Zaid Shakir will share just how to make fasting more environmentally friendly.

The importance of the community is the foundation to Islāmic society. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said each believer is like a brick, one supporting the other, in turn creating solid walls and together forming a sound structure that is resistant to shakes and changes. These changes also come in the form of climate change, pollution, toxins and harmful gases and acres of chemical compost.

Turning back to the beginning of faith is the root to finding solutions for our environmental downfalls. Many times, the most active of eco-campaigners criticise the faith groups for only talking about sustainability and green living with ‘hot air’. But this is a putative judgement.

Like Imam Zaid Shakir encourages, if one cannot walk the walk of green action, one should at least support those who do take the greener deen (path) and share the prophetic foundations of that lifestyle.

I have transcribed the video to capture the main points and for those short of time.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFkP9yuzWn4]
Video link: http://youtu.be/gFkP9yuzWn4 | 4:13 mins

Imam Zaid Shakir begins with the Islāmic formula by mentioning the name of God (bismillah), praising Him (hamd), sending salutations upon Prophet Muhammad of Islam (salawat) and the Islāmic greeting of peace and ‘hellos’;

“Salam`alaykum, peace be with you.

This is Imam Zaid Shakir and I’m here in office of Muslim Chaplain Imam Sohaib Sultan at Princeton University to bring you a very important message.

That message is that Ramadan is here and Ramadan is for the community. It is a time, to come together as a community, for cultivating a healthy sense of environmental and ecological consciousness. [Many will ask] Why mention this in Ramadan?

We have all witnessed during Ramadan that our community generates and disposes tons of trash. Be it paper plates or Styrofoam cups or plastic knives and forks or reams and reams of paper towels, that we bag up and fill all dumpsters outside the masjid [mosque], night after night.

Brothers and sisters, imagine how many tons we could save, with one simple job: Greening the Iftar. This would help our environment and help our community get involved in projects to benefit the citizens and those of the world.

I encourage you: Green your iftar!

There are many organisations such as the Green Faith initiative and similar that are pushing for ‘Green Iftars’ such as my masjid in Oakland, California masjid where two years ago they adopted the initiative. Now, instead of garbage bags of scraps, left-over food is composted, dishes are washed at a local restaurant to be reused, there are no paper towels allowed; all hand towels are washed.

So let’s begin in Ramadan with a Green Iftar!

Let’s green our community and country. If America greens itself, we can green the world insha-Allah ta`la. As you all know U.S. is first in producing greenhouse gases-many have surpassed us (with China coming up behind)-but we all know that in landfills and producing trash, we have no rival.

Protecting the environment is beloved to God and the Prophet. They encouraged us not to be wasteful, and to live in harmony with everything around us.

Nothing exemplifies this more than God’s statement in the Quran concerning the Prophet Muhammad, saying he is “Sent as a mercy to all the worlds”. This includes the animals, plants, insects, fish, all of these ‘awalam’ (Arabic for ‘worlds’), all of these worlds, to which the Prophet is a mercy. He is an environmental exemplar. So we, as people of the 21st century, should be about the business of being of mercy to all that share the environment with us.

Thank you for listening and viewing this brief message, insha-allah (God willing) we can come together and make a difference. THESE are the types of initiative that will take people away from all the negativity on Muslims because they will be focused on the good things being done by Muslims.”

As one of the noted Eco-Muslim figures who has taught classes on Islam and environment, Imam Zaid Shakir is participating in Green Faith’s Green Ramadan webinar. Green Faith is a platform campaign movement that ties the three monotheistic faith groups – Islam, Judaism and Christianity – with long-term ecological practice.

Entitled Green Ramadan, the Imam will offer a keynote presentation on Islam’s teachings about the earth. The event is open to all.

Green Ramadan Webinar details

• Thursday 26 July 2012 07:00 PM – 08:00 PM ET
• Admission: Free

Register for the Green Faith – Green Ramadan Webinar

Find more on Greening Ramadans
Ramadan Food Waste and Green Tips for Cutting it Down
Feasting On Fairtrade This Ramadan
The Green Sheikh on Ramadan: Waste 2 Food or Food 2 Waste?

The post “Host Greener Iftars At Mosques” Is The Green Ramadan Message From Imam Zaid Shakir (VIDEO) appeared first on Green Prophet.

The princely pomeganate, ar-Rumm in Arabic, is mentioned in the Koran as one of the many delicious rewards awaiting in Paradise. Its numerous uses in cooking and medicine, as well as its beautiful structure, make the fruit a wonder for Muslims who believe that each pomegranate seed is a sign of the sustainer.

Pomegranates are mentioned three times in the Koran or Qur’an: As one of the fruits that will be found in paradise:

“In both of them [gardens] are two springs, spouting […]In both of them are fruit and palm trees and pomegranates. So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?” (Quran, 55:66-69)

As a reminder of God’s sustenance on earth,

“And He it is who produces gardens (of vine), trellised and untrellised, and palms and seed-produce of which the fruits are of various sorts, and olives and pomegranates, like and unlike; eat of its fruit when it bears fruit, and pay the due of it on the day of its reaping, and do not act extravagantly; surely He does not love the extravagant.” (Quran, 6:141)

And as a sign of his artistry,

“And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees – of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.” (Quran, 6:99)

The frequent mentions of this fruit owe to its gem-like beauty, a glistening core of seeds compacted in a layer resembling honeycomb.

Equally astounding are the colours of both the fruit and flowers which are an attestation to the Qur’anic verse:

“And whatsoever He has created for you on the earth of varying colors [and qualities from vegetation and fruits] and from animals. Verily! In this is a sign for people who remember.” (Qur’an, 16:13)

In Arabic a pomegranate is known as the royal word ‘rumaan‘, in Urdu ‘anaar‘ and interestingly, because of its resemblance to many fragments resulting from detonating a grenade, in Hebrew the word ‘rimon‘ may mean both pomegranate and shell.

 A split-open pomegranate fruit reveals red gems resting between protective papery skins

Inside a pomegranate are the edible succulent grains of pulp-like tissue, pink-red in colour. Once the leathery skin is removed, these “seeds” can be plucked loose for on-the-go eating or a sharp tap of a wooden spoon will scatter them into a bowl.

Tasting Those Seeds

Pomegranate grains have a “fresh, sweet-sour”, very juicy taste (Gernot Katzer), while other forms of the fruit may be acidic. Here in Britain one rarely finds a very acidic pomegranate although many fruit varieties very popular throughout the Middle East are used to sweeten meat dishes and salads.

Where Pomegranate Shrubs Grow

Pomegranates originate from the Middle Eastern region and are cultivated in central Asia, Mediterranean countries and northern India. They often resemble a shrub more than a tree. In Turkey you can find them adorning outdoor swimming pools in hotels; in Israel people plant them as one of the Seven Species of the Bible.

In India, pomegranates have a culinary reverence. The grains of more sour fruits are dried and used as a flavouring and substituted for raisins in baking. The juice of the pomegranate is a favourite in many Middle Eastern countries and Asia.

I remember, as a child, my family would buy the cool red juice from street vendors in Pakistan and just before a rice dish had finished cooking, handfuls of pomegranate grains would be stirred in, bursting with red colour and bite. Pomegranate fruit juice is also used to make sauces and jellies.

Nutritional Value of Pomegranates

Nutritionally, pomegranate fruit is rich in Vitamin C and contain 65 calories and it is a good source of sodium, riboflavin and calcium. A handful of grains for suhoor (pre-dawn meal) are ideal for balanced health over the Ramadan fasting period.

Prophet Muhammad of Islam told his companions that each pomegranate potentially held a heavenly grain, “There is not a pomegranate which does not have a pip from one of the pomegranate of the Garden (Jannah) in it.” (Abu Nu’aim)

And these pips, along with the outer skin, are rich with antioxidant and antibacterial properties, testimony to its benefits for cleansing the palate. The prophet therefore also said, “Pomegranate and its rind strengthen digestion (stomach).” (Abu Nuaim, narrated by `Ali)

Uses Of Pomegranate

Among its various uses in the culinary world, the scarlet flowers of the pomegranate plant produce a vibrant red dye for textiles, which has been used for centuries in Central Asia.

Pomegranate plants also provide herbal medicines for diarrhoea, fevers, gum disorders and earaches. Resourceful explorers have found the bark of the pomegranate shrub to have medicinal use while the fragrant flowers of the tree can be used to relieve sore eyes.

We have a wonderful recipe here for the adventurous on how to make pomegranate molasses. 

Find more fruity goodness:

Go Green this Ramadan! (6 Steps)
June Seasonal Produce, Melons, Cherries, and Apricots
4 Unique Aloe Vera Juice Recipes for Summer and Health

The post Plants Of The Quran: Pomegranate appeared first on Green Prophet.

Like the Gregorian year, the Islamic calendar is made up of 12 months, each around 29 to 31 days. Unlike the solar year which follows the sun, the Islamic year is a lunar one (and no we are not talking about moon dwellings!), following the moon in its orbit and creating a more fluctuating time. In this sense a lunar year is more in tune with the natural order of the planet.

Months are not linked to seasons but the value of passing life.

Lunar Vs Solar Calendar in Islam

For our astronomical readers, it is the Earth’s axial tilt that marks the seasons and hours of daylight.  The word “month” itself is derived from “moon,” essentially measuring one lunar cycle: the roughly 28.5 days it takes the moon to circle the earth.

Because each day the Earth is in a different position in relation to the moon, the lunar year feels shorter, shifting by about 10 days so that the seasons are never in the same quarter for more than 5 years.

Muslims have a scientific history of environmental pioneers who were resourceful and adept craftsmen. Astronomy was a key area which Greeks and the later Arab Muslims excelled in to measure space, distance and time. Exquisite mechanical clocks were carved to beautify the measuring of time, an area that 1001 Inventions from Islamic history is exhibiting worldwide.

With this need for efficiency and accuracy, the Saudi government is pushing for a standardised Islamic calendar, beginning with its unsightly clock tower. And we also see the never-ending debates over moon sightings to begin the next month.

In 2002 Hajj pilgrimage was performed in March during a warmer climate in Saudi Arabia. Ten years on and it has shifted ‘backwards’ to the beginning of November and come 2020, Hajj will hit during peak heat season in August. The keyword for that year – sunscreen (you can make your own organic sunscreen here).

The Hijri Calendar of Islam

Ten points for guessing when the Islamic calendar began… A clue is in the title!

But what you might not have known is that it wasn’t the demise of the Prophet Muhammad, nor his birth, that was commemorated as Year Number 1.

It was the migration (hijrah) of the first Muslims from Makkah to Medina to begin new life and establish the first Islamic state, which worked alongside Jewish and Christian communities in Madina, 622CE. And it was the convert Muslim Umar, (Omar) who went about to create the dating system some 16 years later (638CE), Wikipedia explains.

Islam, Environment and Hijrah – Then and Now

From the first Islamic state 1433 years ago in Madina to 2011, Muslim communities have proactively demonstrated that the ground upon which Islamic seeds have grown, is ecological. After all, as Green Deen author Ibrahim Abdul Matin believes, “the whole earth is a mosque”.

• ECO MOSQUES

The first mosque (Arabic, masjid), today more noticeable as the gleaming white Masjid al-Quba in Madina, was made from dry stones and built by the hands of Prophet Muhammad and his companions. As a place of cleanliness, Muslims were encouraged to wash at home, walk to the mosque to avoid (animal) congestion and pray on a dust-swept floor. This etiquette continues today while Quba mosque is surrounded by palm groves to remind worshippers of the grand pillar’s greener roots.

Further awarded eco-mosques have risen across the globe from Cambridge’s community garden mosque, the first eco-mosque in Europe, to a mud brick mosque in Mali, and the more recent plans for Qatar’s eco-mosques, fully installed with water savers and solar panelling.

But on the other hand, lavish buildings of worship have overshadowed Islamic sites like the Kabah in Makkah with nothing less than an industrial ugliness. So we have to ask, what happened to Islam’s environmentally friendly architecture?

• WASTE AND FAITH

Islam connected its teachings to controlled consumption and minimal waste. Islam has a relationship with water that outright exclaims if you’re using too much, you’re doing it wrong.

Men who ate too much were told to cut back and restore the hunger equilibrium. Women who threw out food were told to share meals with neighbours. When the ruling for the hijab (headscarf) came into action, poor women resorted to tearing extra fabric from their dresses to makeshift headscarves.

In 2010, an estimated 500 tons of food was wasted during Ramadan. Something’s got to give.

• HIJAB HEADS

When Islam unfolded its message, its laws were passed in stages. The first Muslims prayed facing Jerusalem, they did not wear the hijab and alcohol hadn’t been completely forbidden until the 5 daily prayers were set.

Muslims believe God was telling people to not jump into a renewable lifestyle with eyes shut. Islam wanted to take things the natural human way, sustainable and less fussy.
Fashionable hijabs are all the rage for contemporary Muslim women while the more fashion conscious experiment with eco-hijabs. Again, the message is to simplify and reduce waste.

• TERRORISM

Not always an easy subject to discuss but a real one nonetheless. Eco-terrorism and environmental sabotage has leaked its ways into many religious domains, with most of its media coverage falling on terrorist acts from Muslims. The European campaign Inspired by Muhammad was lead by eco-Muslim Kristiane Backer to expose and deal with this misperception, showing the mainstream and moderate environmental Muslims in action.

What Would Muhammad Do? Build a Green Bank Balance

Celebrations are a Muslim’s weakness. We like to party, we really want to “let our hijabs down” with our girlfriends (and we do), but apart from a sustainable Eid festival, and the remembered anniversary, Muslims do little to green up the new year.

So the Islamic new year is not so much a bang as it is a mellow hurray. We reflect, we pray and the Eco-Muslims amongst us recycle resolutions and plant trees.

There is more of an acknowledgement of the passing of time. We take the time to assess our annual actions as a kind of ‘green bank balance’. Did we meet our resolution(s), did we fund water pumps for third world countries, did we plant those trees as promised?

A quotable quote from the Quran sums up the Islamic new year in an allegory, “A good word is like a good tree, with firmly fixed roots and branches high in the sky” (14:24). So we may not have lived up the prophetic ideal of mud, rocks and astronomical genius, but like the seed that grows with patience and nurturing, Muslims have new time to go back to green.

Clever info:
CE = Common Era, or Christian Era, measuring time since the traditional birth of Christ.
AH = (AH = Anno Hegirae = year of the Hijra).
The Islamic year ended 26th November 2011, with the 27th November being the 1st of Muharram, 1433, the first Islamic month.

*Peace be upon him, a Muslim phrase used to bless historic prophets and figures. In Arabic: `alayhi salaam.

Image:: Thefacebeauty.co.uk

More on celebrating green faith:
Saudi Arabia Goes “Green” To Celebrate National Day
Sukkot, the Jewish Environment Holiday
7 Tips for a Sustainable Eid-ul-Adha Festival
Haifa Christmas Tree Made From Over 5,000 Recycled Plastic Bottles

The post About Hijri, the Islamic New Year appeared first on Green Prophet.

It is a well known fact that Muslims don’t drink alcohol. It is haram or not halal, which means forbidden. Muslims don’t eat foods or consume drinks with any kind of alcohol or ethanol, they don’t wear perfumes containing alcoholic ingredients and they stay away from all forms of intoxicating substances. Muslims in Dubai also don’t tolerate medical cannabis of any form, even harmless CBD oil. 

This abstinence from drugs and alcohol is a command from God, the law maker for Muslims’ health and environment. But why else is alcohol, and drugs in general, haram in Islam? Is biofuel haram? According to one leader in Saudi Arabia it is. Let’s take a look.

Alcohol in Islam

Linguistically, khamr (خمر) the Arabic word for “wine”, is alcohol derived from grapes. This is what is prohibited by specific texts of the Quran (see 5:90). Therefore alcohol is categorically unlawful (haraam) and considered impure (najis). Consuming any amount is unlawful, even if it doesn’t create any drunken effects. This is opposite to Judaism which consecrates its Sabbath every Friday night using alcohol specifically made from grapes.

But when we go back to Islam, the Prophet Muhammad of Islam said, “Intoxicants are from these two trees,” while pointing to grapevines and date-palms. Alcohol derived from dates or raisins is also prohibited, again regardless of the amount consumed.

At first, a general warning in the Quran was given to forbid Muslims from attending prayers while in a drunken state (Quran, 4:43). Then a later verse was revealed to Prophet Muhammad which said that while specifically alcohol had some medicinal benefits, the negative effects of it outweighed the good (Quran, 2:219).

Finally, “intoxicants and gambling” were called “abominations of Satan’s handiwork,” which warned people with self-consciousness to not turn away from God and forget about prayer, and Muslims were ordered to abstain (Quran, 5:90-91).

The Prophet Muhammad also instructed his companions to avoid any intoxicating substances (paraphrased), “if it intoxicates in a large amount, it is forbidden even in a small amount.” For this reason, most observant Muslims avoid alcohol in any form, even small amounts that are sometimes used in cooking.

6 reasons why Muslims don’t drink alcohol

1. Alcohol and prayer do not mix

Prayer (salat) is a fundamental part of the Muslim lifestyle, an obligatory call to God five times a day. A ritual eco “wudhu” (woo-dhoo) is necessary before the prayer which involves a water saving ablution to spiritually connect to environment, health and creation. The presence of alcohol in the same room does not affect the prayer, according to Islamic scholars, but anyone who drinks alcohol cannot pray for a month, unless he or she repents. Another obligation to Muslims is the annual Hajj or Haj pilgrimage, at least once in their lifetime. 

2. It’s addictive

Even when the early Muslims recognised alcohol for its medicinal uses, Prophet Muhammad likened the drink to a “disease”, saying there is no cure in things that God has forbidden. Like the first puff of a cigarette, it is up to individual will-power to continue or stop drinking. Nonetheless, some Muslims seek alcohol treatment.

Read More: Can Muslims drink mocktails?

3. Liquor clouds the intellect

Khamr also describes how alcohol consumption makes it difficult to differentiate between right and wrong. Muslim faith is founded on the intellect, rational thought and good judgement. Anything that could jeopardise this behaviour is forbidden, and another reason why Muslims don’t drink.

4. It gives the wrong message to children

Sitting in a restaurant where alcohol is served is not the same as drinking it. This is why Islamic law has the flexibility to say if someone needs to sit in such a restaurant for a work meeting or because no other diners are available, he/she can, but should not sit at a table where alcohol is served.

Bars and environments where alcohol is served could lead to drinking and in the presence of children, it could teach them to explore drinking. Mature Muslim adults are role models and carry a message that you don’t have to drink to have a good time, to work or to socialise.

Classical and contemporary Islamic scholars have helped explain why an alcohol zone can be as bad as drinking itself,

“The difference between [prohibitions in environment] and [prohibitions related to the end goals] is that while both are forbidden, the former is considered lesser in weight because it is related to causes, whereas the latter is related to an actual forbidden act. Thus, sitting at the table, although not the same as drinking, could lead to it whereas drinking in itself is absolutely forbidden,” says Dr. Abdullah bin Bayyah from Suhaibwebb.

5. Alcohol makes one forget

Any intoxicating substance, whether it’s wine, beer, gin, whiskey or drugs, affects a person’s faculties and behaviour. The result is the same, and the Quran outlines that it is the intoxication-which makes one forgetful of God and prayer-that is harmful.

6. Alcohol can lead to crime

Think about the ridiculous things you might have done when drunk. Although a controversial statement, in Islam alcohol is viewed as the “key to every evil” (hadith), because of its close relation to creating or making criminal behaviour easier to commit. That isn’t an omission of the medicinal uses of alcohol, but to say that a prevention is better than a cure. Thus, the Quran explains, “in alcohol there is a great sin, and some benefits, but the sin outweighs its benefit.” (2:219).

Why Muslims don’t do drugs

All intoxicants were made haraam in Islam’s religious scripture at different times over a period of years. Over the years, the list of intoxicating substances has come to include more modern street drugs and the like. But some plants with intoxicating effects such as chewing khat in Yemen and cannabis have slipped into Islam. According to this site, the Muslim scholars are divided over khat, sometimes spelled ghat or gat:

“The three main positions on khat are that it is halal (permissible), makruh (detested or discouraged) or haraam (forbidden). It may be shown that each view has some support in the scholarly literature of Islam.

“Each was accepted by some members of the focus groups. Most of those who participated in the focus groups had a strong view on the correct position pursuant to Islam and this view influenced their decision to support or reject prohibition and to chew or not to chew khat.”

Islam prohibits the use of narcotics noting that “every intoxicant is haram (unlawful)”. Recreational drugs have become the social culture and despite religious prohibitions, Muslims are just as susceptible to cannabis (marijuana), hashish, and the supposedly herbal ‘hukkah‘ (a tobacco smoking pipe).

We suggest you speak to your local clerics about individual use because the use of these substances is not cut and dry. Nonetheless, this drug abuse is also haram, not to mention encouraging illegal drug trade and addiction.

Wine that’s halal?

Without side-sweeping the nutritional value to alcoholic beverages, we must accept that wine in particular is not completely “evil”. Wine contains coronary benefits and according to studies, decreases the risk of peptic ulcers.

Hippocrates recommended specific wines to disinfect wounds, and even the great Islamic scholar Ibn Kathir noted wine’s force for better digestion.

In the Quran is the promise of Paradise for people who conserve God’s laws on Earth and leave it as they found it, or better. This Paradise contains rivers of honey, milk and wine which does not intoxicate (see 47:15):

The description of the Paradise promised to the righteous is that in it are rivers of fresh water, rivers of milk that never changes in taste, rivers of wine delicious to drink, and rivers of pure honey. There they will ˹also˺ have all kinds of fruit, and forgiveness from their Lord. ˹Can they be˺ like those who will stay in the Fire forever, left to drink boiling water that will tear apart their insides?

Some great entrepreneurs took this verse from the Quran as inspiration, leading to the production of halal approved wines such as Halal Champ Wine, and Australia’s Patritti Wines of Dover Gardens, which was accredited by the Islamic Council in 2003.

According to a more lenient school of thought in Islam, creams and deodorants containing alcohol are alright to use as it is invariably a synthetic alcohol and not wine (khamr). In Saudi Arabia though, even fuel containing ethanol is getting the haram boot.

A contemporary fatwa (Islamic ruling) classified non-wine alcohol as permitted in external uses such as perfumes and soaps so long as it’s not used in vain or for intoxicating purposes. However, the main consensus is to religiously avoid it.  

Buying and selling wine in Islam

For Muslims, when something is made haraam, this means that thing is harmful to one’s health and contribution to the community. That also means Muslims aren’t supposed to encourage others to consume in any haraam, irrespective of who they are.

Dealing with the alcohol trade comes under the haraam category. The Prophet Muhammad forbade people from all actions related to the wine industry, including pressing wine, drinking it, serving it, selling it or buying it. This severity is to stop the expansion of harm caused by alcohol.

And above all, drinking is a lifestyle choice for socialising and enjoying food, a lifestyle that Muslims simply do not indulge in. That said, if you want to try a alcoholic summer drink, here are 10 mocktails for Muslims.

More on Muslim health issues:

Khitan – Circumcision Is Healthy For Muslim Sexuality
Lifestyle Poor for Abu Dhabi Women’s Health, Pregnancies, Babies
Egyptians Question the Health of Their Tap Water
If It’s Not Organic, It’s Not Halal (4 Ethical Zabiha Principles)

Updated March, 2023

The post Why Muslims don’t drink alcohol appeared first on Green Prophet.

It was over five years ago when I first learned about a wudu that was environmentally friendly. Despite being a keen Eco-Muslim, I didn’t see how clean water for ritual ablutions could get, well, any cleaner. After one Hajj pilgrimage in 2005 and many cold water washes however, here is proof that wudu really can be part of the active green faith.

Borrowing a chapter title from Ibrahim Abdal-Matin’s Green Deen book, the wonderful world of wudu begins with a Muslim’s relationship to water.

Wudu (woo-dhoo) is a physical ritual where Muslims immerse themselves in a symbolic purification before prayer and every act of worship. The word itself comes from the Arabic root “wa-da`a” which means to make brighter. Wudu is essential to connecting with God and seeing His signs – water from rain, a lake, small streams becoming oceans, or a running tap.

How to make wudu ablution

The ablution consists of an important routine: rinsing the mouth 3 times, the nose, washing the whole face 3 times, each forearm, the top of your head, behind the ears, neck, feet and between each toe.

Each movement with water physically washes away dirt and in essence the negative actions of that limb. Wudu is a reminder of blessings; it’s a control switch, a health check.

The Prophet Muhammad of Islam said, “cleanliness is part of faith” (tahoor shatril imaan). He also warned against “squandering water” even if next to a river; the Prophet always advocated an eco-wudu.

An eco-Wudu

Muslims make wudu up to five times a day, and the amount of water spilled can add up. Growing an ‘eco-beard‘ can saves masses of water whereas shaving can use up to 11 gallons of water on average per household. Most of this is wasted from keeping the tap running and more energy is eaten up by using hot water instead of cold.

As believers, wudu can be a part of our eco lifestyle and a more conscious effort of resourcefully using one of our most precious blessings from God.

I haven’t perfected my wudu and in those panic-last-minute-prayermoments, I confess that I have left the tap running in the past. No more! Here are several winning ideas that could just make our wudu more wonderful:

Tips for making your wudu green:

Turn tap off: It sounds obvious but closing your taps when making wudu will significantly change how you use water. Fill a pot or bucket for your ablutions. Use a glass to rinse your mouth. Take a jug of water with you outside and perform a spiritual wudu in nature.

• Check your wudu count: For experimental purposes time how long it takes for you to complete wudu while leaving the tap running on normal pressure.
• Next time place a bucket under the tap and leave the tap running for the same amount of time it took for you to do wudu. Measure this water. This is your wudu count. I measured my wudu count which came to nearly 2.5 litres of water. The Prophet Muhammad performed his wudu with 16 handfuls of water! It isn’t a scientific test but it’s useful for directly seeing your water impact, and as the idea creator Ibrahim Abdal-Matin said, “Having a number can help you determine a goal for reducing that number.”
• Water saving toilets: Install a toilet with an inlet valve that reduces the water volume used to flush clean, saving up to 25%. 
• Personal hygiene is fundamental to the wudu but does not come with practical solutions, especially in public restrooms. That awkward moment when someone walks in on you with your foot in the sink… You can buy water carrying pouches created specifically for such scenarios. One can hold 1 litre of water, is ergonomically designed with spout and folds away for discretion. The product can save water and save a lot of public bother

Wudu with dust

These suggestions can be implemented in our homes and mosques. With enough awareness I hope to see a change in our value system so that while others have to perform their wudu in dust – known as tayammum, we’re not pouring away our blessings with water.

More on water management:
How Islam Could Help Fight Water Scarcity
The Story of Hajjar: Muslim Women and Water Conservation
Water & The Middle East At A Glance (Infographic)

The post What is an eco wudu? appeared first on Green Prophet.

Almost 3 million Muslim pilgrims arrived in the city of Mecca in November for Hajj. The Islamic pilgrimage gathers a record breaking number of people in the world who follow the historic footsteps of revered prophets and their families.

Every healthy and debt-free Muslim is obliged to make the Hajj journey at least once in their lifetime. But with the rising threat of climate change and famine, more organisations are calling for both pilgrims and Makkan authorities to reduce the environmental damage caused by the annual influx of travellers, CNN reports.

More pilgrims equals more damage

According to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, 1,799,601 pilgrims arrived in Makkah to perform Hajj in 2010. This year another record breaking number of foreign pilgrims descended, 1,828,195. That’s an extra 28,594 aeroplane seats, vehicle passengers, mouths to feed, waste producers and carbon emitters. Whether arriving through air travel, camel, and as we saw last year, on energy saving cycles, the polluting ‘footprint’ of pilgrims is a deep concern for Makkan residents and environmental agencies.

But it isn’t wholly fair to lay blame on all pilgrims. Muslims travel from every country on Earth for the Hajj journey, each with their own lifestyles and priorities. Community and livelihood concerns means that simple practices like picking litter and recycling are not a privilege for countries where even water is poorly managed.

With such a huge gathering of people in a short space of time, it brings a whole new meaning to the Islamic teaching of ‘walking lightly’ (Quran:25:63). A cleaner Hajj is therefore a matter of providing the education to those without. So, what can be done?

Earlier this month, we shared the launch of the world first environmental Hajj guide. Co-authored by Dr Husna Ahmed, The Green Guide for Hajj booklet promotes ecologically sustainable practices among Hajj pilgrims.

A study conducted at Faith Regen Foundation’s says that up to 100 million plastic bottles were dumped by pilgrims in 2010. Earlier this year distribution plans for bottling Zamzam water to Madina were set but Faith Regen says flasks are better. CEO of the foundation, Husna Ahmed, says that the Makkan authorities still fall short of providing adequate recycling sites and information for pilgrims.

Some ideas from The Green Hajj Guide to reduce the pilgrim ‘footprint’ include:

• Considering the carbon footprint of transport choices they make and avoiding or off-setting the impact of air travel
• Choosing travel companies with environmentally conscious policies regarding travel and accommodation for pilgrims
• Avoiding water waste, and recommending sustainable energy
• Avoiding the use of plastic bags and bottles, especially for traditional items such as misbahah (Dhikr beads) and sajjadah (prayer mats)
• Clearing up your own and other people’s litter and rubbish.

Green Prophet’s eco-Muslim reporter Arwa took the initiative to measure a pilgrim’s carbon footprint. Beginning with car journeys and ending on a flight, a typical British pilgrim’s journey creates approximately 32 tonnes of carbon. If that doesn’t sound dramatic, this is what one ton of carbon dioxide looks like.

Dr Ahmed also calculates that each pilgrim’s total energy consumption is vast. She told CNN,

“All the waste from food, all the fumes from coaches travelling around the city, all the energy used for powering local hotels, it has a significant environmental impact – and that’s before you think about the carbon footprint of those flying in from halfway around the world.”

A greener faith is the message from the newly formed Green Pilgrimate Network. Martin Palmer, secretary-general of the network says the multi-faith organisation aims to create a worldwide alliance of sustainable practices for holy cities throughout the world. Potential eco-movements include banning all vehicles on pilgrimage routes, investing in renewable energy and improving waste management systems.

Over the last few years dozens of red and yellow cranes have shadowed over sites in Makkah. The simple black box, Islam’s ‘House of God’ is bordered with huge metal scaffolding that can be seen from afar. The construction is part of a 6-year plan at increasing hotel space and improving facilities for pilgrims to make the Hajj safer and easier. New building work around the Kabah has opened up avenues for on-site sellers and street stalls that have upset visitors and residents for its artificialness.

“Mecca is the heart of the Islamic world… what we are doing is changing the heart from a natural heart to a mechanical one,” said one resident (National Post).

Holy cities Corrupted by Consumerism

According to the Green Pilgrimage Network, over 100 million people make a religious pilgrimage each year, and much of the journey has been “corrupted by consumerism”. Modern-day lifestyles have influenced holy cities like Mecca, Madina and Jerusalem, where once were palm trees and mountains, lay rows of fast-food chains.

Taking revolutionary steps towards a sustainable pilgrimage, the Green Pilgrimage Network asks major cities to sign up to the network and work towards “shared environmental goals”. Cities who live up to their community commitments will carry the honour of being a member. Makkah is not yet a member, although Palmer says “The Green Guide for Hajj” is a step towards getting on board.

Saudi Arabia’s local authorities already showed environmental reform when construction of Makkah’s Metro began.

The post Pilgrims Pose Environmental Threat To Holy City of Mecca appeared first on Green Prophet.

Islam’s Zabiha method of slaughter came in the line of fire this year when Holland banned ritual slaughter. When one hears counter arguments from animal rights activists and even Muslims who live vegetarian lifestyles, the idea of killing another creature can seem unnecessary, cruel and inorganic, especially in a religious context. Yet, the Islamic faith recognises these concerns and answers them. Traditionally, Muslims carry out a meat Qurbaan (sacrifice) every year for the Eid-ul-Adha festival and slaughter animals for food using the zabiha method any other time.

What can Muslims eat? Why is pork prohibited? And what makes meat zabiha? In Islam’s holy scripture, the Quran, God tells people,

“Forbidden to you (for food) are dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which has been invoked the name of other than Allah [God], that which has been killed by strangling or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death, that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal, unless you are able to slaughter it (in due form).” (Quran, 5:3)

A Muslim’s Meat Is Always Zabiha
For Muslims, animal slaughter is a straight forward concept. Known in Islamic law as zabiha (ذبيحة‎), the word literally means ‘slaughter’ and goes hand-in-hand with animal welfare and moral purification.

Does Islam promote Animal rights?
Prophet Muhammad of Islam was a big advocator of animal rights. Popular narrations demonstrate how providing water to a thirsty dog, feeding a stray cat and guarding a bird’s nest of eggs are actions of merit. Like his predecessors, Prophets Moses and Jesus, Prophet Muhammad was a shepherd – of sheep – and thus trained in a preserving awareness to ‘guide’ his flock towards health and conservation.

When being asked about the importance of quenching the dog’s thirst, Prophet Muhammad told people, “every kind act to the animal is rewarded”.

He also told people,

“Do not overload them (animals), do not treat them badly, do not tie them and shoot them (tying with intent to kill)”. *Hadith mentioned in Imam Muslim.

Animal welfare in Islam is extended to the slaughter process. A sharp knife is required for a single, efficient cut and so the animal “does not feel pain”. Muslims believe animals are ‘alive’ like plants but they do not have a soul like humans. Animals are acutely aware of what’s going on around them. Thus, Prophet Muhammad showed a concern for emotional stability saying “do not kill one animal in front of the other, and do not kill the animal twice.” *Hadith mentioned in Imam Muslim, read more on Wikipedia.

How Muslims Slaughter Animals
When an animal is slaughtered following the zabiha method, only the windpipe and 4 blood vessels are cut with a single slice. For one school of thought in Islam, the gullet (oesophagus) must also be cut. The knife must reach the back of the throat and the head must remain intact. No other harm to the animal’s body is allowed, which was an animal concern by Princess Ali of Jordan in the run before Eid.

Animals chosen for Islamic Qurbaan, the Eid-ul-Adha sacrifice ending the Hajj pilgrimage, need extra checks. If an animal is blind, lame, deaf, disfigured through mutilation or unhealthy, it cannot be used for the sacrifice. The idea behind this is to follow the Abrahamic footsteps by giving up the best, strongest and healthiest meat to distribute amongst the poor.

The spinal cord is not cut and should not be damaged, otherwise the nerves leading to the heart may get severed causing the animal to go under cardiac arrest.

As the spinal cord remains intact, the heart is still beating, preventing stagnation and allowing a constant flow of blood from the body until death. Since blood is forbidden for consumption in Islam, it’s important to see that the blood is completely drained.

Ask any medical student and they will tell you blood is the carrier of germs and bacteria. Slitting an animal’s throat precisely and sharply emits most of the bacteria from the flow. This keeps the meat healthier and fresher for longer.

4 Ethical Zabiha Principles You Need To Know

1) Animal freedom and organic living

The animal that is going to be sacrificed should be raised to graze freely, treated well, given food and water on the day of slaughter. When brought forward, the animal needs to be kept calmed. Its eyes are covered and it is laid down on the ground. Typically, no other instruments or pressure is involved, and the event is not shown to other animals. Organic Muslim butchers from America, Mercy Halal, have filmed Islam’s zabiha method quite stunningly on their farm. The second video showing the actual slaughter is graphic.

2) Animals allowed in Islamic law

Muslims only eat animals that are herbivores, leading a vegetarian life. Animals shot, killed by accident, birds of prey, pork and porcine substances and roadkill are not halal. Pork in particular is forbidden for major health reasons; while the animal itself is seen as a creature of God, it will eat practically anything put in front of it including excrement and is a carrier of many diseases. Amongst the animals Islam permits for slaughter are: cattle – cows, buffalo, poultry – chicken, pigeons, duck and others, deer, goats, sheep, rabbits. Fish are halal by default.

3) Sanitised sharp tools

The knife intended for the slaughter needs to be sterile and for no irritation, sharpened, but not in front of the animal. Gloves are recommended, as well as a clean workspace with access to water.

4) A Muslim prayer before slaughter

Before slaughtering the animal, Islam asks for the person performing it to be a mature Muslim, and to read a prayer in God’s name, saying “Bismillah” (in the name of God) and “Allahu akbar” (God is Greater). Without the “bismillah”, the animal is not halal for eating.

Do Animals Feel Pain?
One of the major reasons for vegetarianism from the eco-Rabbi and arguments heard from animal rights campaigners is the view that animals feel pain, and as another species, should not be killed without need. Islam holds the view that while animals do feel pain and need loving treatment, the zabiha method does not tolerate any unecessary pain or fear.

For correct slaughter, it is the blood vessels in the animals’ throat that are cut, along with the nerves responsible for pain. Due to a gush of blood, the animal’s muscles contract and relax. When done properly, there is no pain involved in zabiha slaughter. The animal is not writhing in pain, it is simply dying a painless death.

Zabiha Meat – But It Is Halal?
In a nutshell, ‘zabiha’ is the name given to the method of slaughtering an animal by a believer reading a prayer in God’s name. But halal (حلال‎) is the description for products that are permissible by God and which include people’s welfare. Therefore, halal products are also healthy, sustainable and good for you.

A table format breaks down the zabiha method on Green Zabiha, organic and halal meat farmers in America.

In many areas of the less developed world where Muslims are the dominant population, one will find animals being injected with an infamous hormone to fatten them up. DES, Diacecerol Beseserol, is used by farmers to quicken the muscle growth and get more sales for the zabiha flesh. This meat is haram.

Additional preservatives and electrical stunning affect the nervous system of the animal, which Halal Monitoring Committee explains, would also not be considered halal. Figures suggest as high as 80% of worldwide meat is injected with hormones and according to European Union’s Scientific Committee, artificial growth hormones in meat pose a potential risk to human’s health and reproductive system, Sustainable Table reports.

All carginogenic hormones injected into animals – even if slaughtered by the zabiha method, make the animal haram.

The animal is zabiha, but it’s not halal.

What a Muslim Vegetarian Looks Like
Islam does not compel its followers to eat meat. A Muslim can be a great believer and remain a pure vegetarian. But God has given Muslims permission to eat non-vegan food (meat, dairy products, fish, poultry). In the Quran it says, “…Lawful for you are the animals of grazing livestock except for that which is recited to you [in this Qur’an]…” (Chapter 5, verse 1). The Quran also says there are “numerous benefits” to eating meat, which is why most Muslims browse the worldwide restaurant guide Zabiha.com to enjoy a good burger, halal hot-dog and lamb kebab.

Indian Muslim scholar and public speaker Dr Zakir Naik, writes in his book, Non-Vegetarian Food, Permitted or Prohibited for Human Beings?, about the health benefits to the Islamic method of slaughter,

“If the Islamic guidelines are followed and slaughter is done through the Islamic method of Zabiha, blood is removed, hormones are not given, the food is cooked well, hygienic conditions are developed and pork is avoided; most of the (carried) diseases can be prevented.” – Dr Zakir Naik.

More on green halal lifestyles:
10 Easy Ways To Eat More Halal
ARC To Revive Faith In Food
7 Tips for a Sustainable Eid-ul-Adha Festival
Interview With Green Hajj Expert Dr Husna Ahmed

The post If It’s Not Organic, It’s Not Halal (4 Ethical Zabiha Principles) appeared first on Green Prophet.

I’m overjoyed and giddy like a child on Christmas eve. As a Muslim, my year is punctuated with two religious festivals, or Eids. Eid-ul-Fitr ended the 30-day fasting in Ramadan two months ago, and Eid-ul-Adha which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah with a sacrifice.

A sacrifice of meat is an emphasised ritual for the pilgrims, while Muslim families all over the world slaughter an animal to commemorate Prophet Abraham’s sacrifice, and distribute it to the poor nearby. This is the ultimate offering: giving your most loved riches to those without, for God’s sake.

It creates a balance of wealth and unites the faithful.

After a day experiencing ever-growing consumerism attached to the Muslim celebration and on the eve of “Eid-mas”, my family already sponsored a meat-drive for British locals and abroad in Pakistan.

Yet, I am wondering what it is exactly I was supposed to sacrifice. Got any ideas?

Sacrifice is an ethical component of Islamic faith. Pilgrimage too is a journey of preservation – reminding the inner-self of an organic fate all the while using environmentally friendly transportation, the Makkah Metro, to get there. Prophet Muhammad of Islam called these days of pilgrimage the “days of Sacrifice”, saying that selfless actions would be rewarded multifold.

How to give back sustainably for Eid Adha

Without sacrifice, fasting during Ramadan every year becomes a mere diet phase for Muslims. Without sacrifice, the compulsory 2.5 zakat tax intended to purify one’s use of wealth, is nothing more than an economic burden. Hajj, the fifth pillar to Islam’s 5 after belief, prayer, fasting and charity (zakat), is also fundamentally based on the ultimate act.

But our sense of giving is lost when our focus is on providing for ourselves. Charity is an everyday act, yet on the day of sacrifice, a simple donation to the local mosque is not enough. In popular custom, a general view is accepted that the Eid festivals are like a ‘free-pass’, what we consume and wear is not going to be tallied against us, provided of course what we consume is Halal and healthy.

Instead of dishing out the usual charity, do more and do something different. Invest in kindness, reach out to a new organisation, challenge yourself to commit the ultimate sacrifice.

7 ways to make your Eid Adha sustainable

1. Give your Eid outfit away: A rich culture of ornate clothing prevails in Arab people and in my own African heritage. But instead of buying the top-end price of suits, go one band lower and donate the difference to a charity. Better yet, follow a Sunnah (prophetic action) by wearing your new suit once and giving it away. Find a regional clothes bank at Islamic Relief who ship clean clothes to disaster areas.

2. Fairtrade Eids: Take is a step further and buy your next Eid outfit from a Fairtrade store, buy Islamic tops that are organic, and look into swapping one item of clothing for hijab-friendly ethical outfits. Your clothing will carry the trademark of fair business, alleviating working conditions in third world countries, and you don’t lose out on the fabulousness.

3. The 3/3 food rule: Reduce that food baby. Save your expenses and make less food for Eid. Keyword: Less. Instead of having a gigantic Eid feast of meats and fats brimming with heart-attacks, opt for more fruit salads and grow your own vegetable. Check out how to make maklubah, an Arabic upside-down chicken and rice dish. And follow the 3/3 rule: Eat till your stomach’s full one-third, drink till your full one-third and leave the rest to breathe!

4. Eid gifts with value: Money is a standard Eid present but it’s so bland. Coupons and vouchers come second, but that money can make a bigger impact. Plant a tree in Palestine (or Britain) with Trees4Life, on behalf of someone or as a group of friends. Handcraft your own upcycled Eid cards. Read the Islam and Water story of Hajrah and son Ismail, who were the originators of modern day Hajj. And take your children to a soup kitchen on Eid day to instill community love.

5. Use less water: Muslim women, I’m talking to you. On Eid day, take part in water management by dedicating one set of dishes for everyone so that less water is used for washing up. Save unused clean water for tea or coffee and if you drop an ice-cube onto the floor, don’t chuck it in the sink, drop it into a plant pot.

6. New Year Resolutions: Hajj occurs in the last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah. Instead of making a dozen new year’s resolutions just make one. And stick to it throughout the year. My resolution is to (God willing) become a full-time volunteer worker, and you can start by giving just 5 minutes a week to your local environmental campaign or disability home.

7. Zabiha or Halal? Animal slaughter: Finally, ask your butchers where they get their meat from. Are the animals well fed, treated humanely? If the meat’s zabiha, it’s slaughtered according to religious law, but is it halal (Islamically permissible) and organic? Princess Ali of Jordan supports advancements such as stunning the animal before slaughter so be wise and ask.

Watch Almaghrib’s video on Zabiha Man vs. Halal Man to figure out the difference:

I’d love to hear what you gave up for Eid-mas. Comment below!

From the Green Prophet team and I, عيد مبارك‎ / عید مبارک

Eid-ul-Adha Mubarak.

Want to do do more to make Eid Adha more sustainable? Read:
Nominate Your Green Prophet Eco Hero for 2011
Some Tips to Help Break Your Coffee Habit
The Do’s and Don’ts of Green Blogging for Muslims

The post 7 Tips for a Sustainable Eid ul Adha Festival appeared first on Green Prophet.