Written by: Aurangzeb Haneef
Posted on: June 14, 2018 | 
A man prays in the Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan (Image by Aurangzeb Haneef)
The Arabic word for fasting is “sawm” which originally means to ‘abstain from, to be at rest, and to be quiet.’ The month of Ramadan, ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time when Muslims all over the world fast from dawn till dusk, abstaining from food, drink, unnecessary desires, varying excesses, and immoral behaviour. They take this moment to reconnect with the Divine; in other words, they take a break from their usual lives.
According to the Quran – the holy book of Muslims – God’s message was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) in the month of Ramadan as the criterion to distinguish between right and wrong (verses 2:183–185). It is this guidance that Muslims acknowledge when they fast in Ramadan.
Moreover, these verses also state that the purpose of fasting is to be grateful and to become God-conscious (muttaqi). Generally, what Muslims take away from this is that through experiencing hunger, thirst, and a simpler life, they are meant to relate to the less privileged members of society. This experience helps them become more grateful for God’s bountiful favours. The acts of charity carried out in this month further reflect this gratitude. While this understanding has merit, it is also limited, since the larger purpose of this abstinence has been forgotten.
According to the Quran, humans were appointed as God’s deputies on Earth and are therefore responsible for its well-being by virtue of this position. This was a test from God even if there is a possibility that humans might fail, by becoming the ones who would cause corruption (fasad) on Earth and ignore its well-being (verses 2:30 and 6:165). It is important to clarify that “corruption” on Earth isn’t limited to unjust behaviour toward fellow human beings, but extends to all beings. Most importantly, it extends to the Earth, which was given to humanity as a responsibility. The Quran (33:72) calls this responsibility a trusteeship (al-amana), which means that ‘what was given will have to be faithfully returned.’ Thus, the purpose of humankind is to worship God, do good deeds, and abstain from corrupting the Earth.
When Muslims fast during Ramadan they are reminded of the revelation of Quran. Therefore, they must also be reminded of God’s purpose for humans on earth; the guardianship of this magnificent gift and its bounties, meant to be carried out in a just and beautiful manner. In this way, the purpose of fasting serves God’s purpose for humans on the Earth.
For the past few centuries, humanity has largely considered Earth and its resources at their disposal for fulfilling their needs and comforts. They have followed a ‘Human-Centric’ approach to the relationship between Humans, the Earth, and all other creations. The processes of mass production and habits of mass consumption, within a neo-liberal and capitalist economic framework have increased profits for some, while creating miserable conditions for millions.
Ever since the Industrial Revolution, there has been rampant exploitation of resources, rendering the Earth unsustainable. According to a report issued in 2015, Earth has lost one third of its arable land in the past forty years. This generation is witnessing some of the highest recorded temperatures in history, due to an ever-diminishing supply of fossil fuels being burnt. Furthermore, a massive fresh-water crisis is looming just around the corner.
The effects of these global phenomena can be seen in Pakistan, which has been ranked the seventh most vulnerable country to Climate Change. Reports by international organizations state that Pakistan will face acute water scarcity by 2025 – about eight years from now. The number of people dead due to heat waves has increased fivefold in the last 30 years. Only in 2015, air pollution related deaths numbered 60,000. Needless to say, a concerted, cohesive, and immediate effort is required in order to slow down, if not halt, the effects of climate change.
Such conditions prove that human beings have not fulfilled their purpose on Earth, as delineated in the Quran. They have conceived of themselves as rulers of Earth with all other creations subservient to them, largely acting as the usurpers and not the caretakers of Earth’s trusteeship.
Fasting in Ramadan reminds us of the gift of the Quranic revelation to humanity, which further reminds us of the immense privilege and responsibility we have of not corrupting Earth and its eco-systems. It helps us shift from a human-centric to a God-centric, or, in other words, an Earth-centric approach. But fasting is not only a reminder, since it also involves action – by abstaining from food, drink, and other excesses, along with focusing on the connection with the Divine, we practice controlling our urge for wanting more than what we need. By discouraging mass consumption and production, the practice of fasting acknowledges Earth’s limited resources, and teaches us how to benefit from them in a sustainable manner. The challenge is to carry forward the teachings of Ramadan, by extending and applying them to all months of the year.
While a systematic Earth-centric theology is yet to be properly articulated and promoted, the followers of other world religions have also recognized the urgency of the situation. The Pope, for example, has declared destroying the environment a sin. Similarly, the Quranic message can and must be used to address the preservation of this planet. Otherwise, as the Quran (30:41) warns us, “Corruption has appeared in the land and the sea due to what the hands of humans have earned, so God may let them taste a part of (the consequences of) what they did. Perhaps they would return (to being God-conscious).” Hopefully, it is not too late to develop an Earth-centric approach to life, lest we ignore it at our own peril. May this Ramadan be the beginning of a harmonious relationship between the Divine, human and Earth.
The writer teaches Islamic Studies at LUMS, Lahore. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Edinburgh.
You may also like:
