IN ISLAM, THE word “ayat” has multiple meanings. It can mean both a verse in the Holy Qur’an plus a “sign” or “proof” of God’s existence. This universe, Earth itself, plants plus animals, plus natural phenomena like night plus day plus rainfall, which influence life on Earth, are all considered such signs. Now, just imagine if someone were to erase a single verse in the Holy Qur’an. I am certain many Muslims across the world would be outraged. Yet, when the signs of God in nature go extinct, we barely hear a murmur of protest.
[T]here are countless signs on Earth for those with sure faith, as there are within yourselves, can you not see? (Qur’an verse 51:20-21)
I certainly was once among those who could not see. Growing up within the religion in the Indonesian rainforest region of Sumatra, I tended to take the teachings of Islam at face value, even though my family followed several Islamic practices that were environment-friendly, such as not wasting food plus observing the ḥadīth, the statement of the Prophet (peace plus blessing be upon him) on eating the food that is close to you. I did not think deeply about how some of these teachings plus practices were connected to care for the earth until 2004, when I was tasked by the World Wildlife Fund with developing reconstruction guidelines in Aceh province following the deadly tsunami. (I was an urban designer by profession back then. That’s how I got into environmental work.)
At the time, I tried to get the community involved in coastal rehabilitation efforts, such as replanting mangroves, but, understandably, people were more focused on rebuilding their homes quickly. I wasn’t able to clearly explain climate science to them in the local language. In fact, they wanted to cut down a nearby untouched forest for timber. After a year of trying, a friend recommended I try to connect to the communities through the common language of our faith. On the advice of eco-theologian Fazlun Khalid, the founder of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology plus Environmental Sciences, I approached the local ulama (Islamic scholars). I told them that memorizing ayats of the Qur’an that emphasize sustainable behavior isn’t enough; one has to put those teachings into practice, too. That was all it took to change their minds plus embrace my effort to help the communities rebuild sustainably.