Ibrahim Özdemir*
Wastefulness in the Islamic worldview isn't just careless use of natural resources; it's a moral and spiritual failing — a form of ingratitude toward the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Owner of all blessings. Wasting means forgetting that the earth and its bounty are divine trusts, not private possessions. Therefore, Islam allows the lawful enjoyment of God's provisions but prohibits extravagance and excess.
Today, the moral importance of this teaching has never been more apparent. We now understand that the planet's resources are finite, and that unlimited consumption damages not only us but also future generations. The Qur'an, long before modern ecology became evident, reminds us of this sacred balance: 'Verily, We have created all things in due proportion and measure.' (54:49).
This verse invites humanity to reflect on mīzān — the divinely ordained balance that sustains life. Modern ecological science affirms what the Qur'an declared more than fourteen centuries ago: the universe is woven through delicate systems of interdependence, which humans are entrusted to maintain, not disrupt.
To preserve this harmony is a human and spiritual duty. The Qur'an defines humanity as God's vicegerent (khalīfah) on earth — a moral agent charged with stewardship, not domination. Thus, maintaining balance in nature is not optional; it is an act of worship, a reflection of divine trust.
The Qur'an commands: 'O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer; eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for God loves not the wasters.' (7:31)
This injunction connects moderation in consumption with spiritual growth. To eat and drink mindfully is to acknowledge the balance within creation — to live in harmony with the rhythm of divine generosity. Wastefulness, on the other hand, distorts this balance and breaks the ecological covenant between humanity and nature.
Islamic ethics, therefore, emphasizes a conscious and disciplined connection with the material world. Every act of consumption should be guided by awareness, gratitude, and restraint. True abundance is found not in accumulation, but in balance — in taking only what is sufficient and leaving the rest for others and the earth itself.
The Qur'an's guidance is strikingly relevant in our age of consumerism and climate crisis. It's call for moderation anticipates today's discourse on sustainability and responsible economics: 'Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the traveler, but do not squander wastefully; for the squanderers are brothers of the devils.' (17:26–27)
'And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly, but hold a just balance between those extremes' (25:67).
These verses lay out a lasting moral guide for ecological living — one that connects economy, spirituality, and justice. Wastefulness, in this context, is not only an environmental issue but also a spiritual problem — a failure to see the limits God has built into creation.
To live sustainably, then, is to live faithfully. Moderation becomes a form of remembrance (dhikr); frugality becomes a way of showing gratitude through action. As the Qur'an reminds us, God does not love the wasteful, for wastefulness, at its core, is forgetfulness of the sacred balance within all things.
* Ibrahim Özdemir is a philosophy professor, Muslim environmental thinker, educator, and author dedicated to connecting faith, ecology, and ethics. He is the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the American Islamic College in Chicago and has contributed to global initiatives, including Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth and the Islamic Declaration on Climate Change. His influential writings, including 'Rumi and Confucius on the Meaning of Life' and 'Towards an Understanding of Environmental Ethics from a Qur'anic Perspective', advance Muslim environmental thought. Dr. Özdemir encourages mindful living and moral renewal through philosophy, education, and ecological awareness.