Separating Fact from Fiction
Islam, the Environment, and Animals
To encourage Muslims to take up their forgotten duty of preserving the environment, it is necessary to dispel some oft-repeated myths and reveal hidden pearls of wisdom from the Islamic tradition.
Islam as a religion does not emphasize taking care of the environment.
Myth 1:
Muslims are generally unaware of Islam’s teachings regarding the environment. As this particular aspect of our beautiful and holistic religion is not emphasized widely enough, people believe that Islam does not have much to say on the topic of the environment. In reality, however, Islam strongly emphasizes taking care of the environment and its various aspects, through beautiful teachings from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Myth 2:
The climate crisis is a myth.
The most common argument presented is that the Earth’s climate has always changed. While that is true, the rapid pace at which the current climate change is occurring is unprecedented, and can’t be explained by natural cycles of climate fluctuations. The changes that naturally occur over millennia are happening in the span of mere decades due to human activities. It is imperative that we bring about a cultural shift in our global way of life as soon as possible.
There is a lot of disagreement among scientists about climate change.
Myth 3:
The vast majority of climate scientists agree that human-induced climate change is an undeniable reality. There is a consensus among all major global climate bodies that climate change is a dire and immediate reality. Therefore, it is vital that we equip ourselves with authentic and credible information regarding climate change, and take action quickly.
Myth 4:
Eating meat has little to no impact on the environment.
The global consumption of meat, while a widespread cultural phenomenon, has been established through numerous scientific reports to have a negative impact on the environment. It has been linked with an increase in rates of methane and CO2, overuse of land resources, overconsumption of water resources, water and air quality degradation, waste production, deforestation, as well as species extinction.
Myth 5:
It is assumed that human beings absolutely must consume meat or other animal products to remain healthy. However, in addition to being significantly better for the environment, varied plant-based diets have in fact also consistently been shown to be much better for our health as compared to meat-based diets, across a number of metrics. This is backed by a vast amount of credible scientific literature.
Plant-based diets are unhealthy.
Working for the environment is pointless since the world's end is predetermined and solely in Allah's (SWT) control.
Myth 6:
While it is true that all things are ultimately in the knowledge and control of Allah (SWT), this does not mean giving into inaction or despair about the present circumstances. Islam is a religion of hope, characterized perfectly by the hadith of the Prophet (SAW): “If the [Day of] Resurrection were established upon one of you, and in his hand is a sapling, then he should plant it.” (Musnad Ahmad). Taking action on climate change is a fard al-‘ayn (individual obligation) as well as a fard al-kifaya (collective obligation) upon Muslims.
Myth 7:
Veganism is “un-Islamic” or haram.
This misconception is bound to come up in any discussion surrounding veganism and Islam. However, it’s also the easiest myth to dispel. Islamic scholars from a wide variety of schools of thought accept that veganism is permissible and perfectly in line with Islamic values. Read what they have to say.
Muslims are obligated to sacrifice an animal on Eid al Adha.
Myth 8:
This misconception is the most common reason for people to assume that the vegan lifestyle and plant-based diets are un-Islamic or impermissible in Islam. However, in reality, it is the zakat due in udhiyah that is obligatory on Eid al Adha, not the sacrifice of an animal. See what Islamic scholars have to say on this.
According to Islam, the Earth and all its resources have been created for us and are ours to use however we see fit.
Myth 9:
As Allah’s appointed Stewards on the Earth, we have been charged with the trust (amanah) which is the just (adl) and effective (ihsan) administration of all that has been placed under our care. With this incredible authority also comes incredible responsibility – rather than do as we please, we are obligated to carry out the Will of Allah (SWT) with His creation. If we were to think of ourselves as the real owners, deciding what to do with the Earth and its resources as per our desires, it would constitute an act of rebellion towards the Almighty.
Myth 10:
Vegans try to make haram what Allah (SWT) has made halal.
While it is true that Islam allows the consumption of certain animal products, this allowance is subject to strict conditions and guidelines that are being violated by the unjust, fraudulent, and haram practices in the modern animal agriculture industry. Thus, the modern animal agriculture industry is in reality making halal what Allah (SWT) has declared haram, and vegans are merely recognizing this violation.
Myth 11:
Halal meat is always humane and ethical.
While it is commonly assumed that halal meat equals ethical meat or meat that is in line with Islamic guidelines, this is, sadly, nothing more than a comforting lie. The halal meat industry is rife with examples of false halal labels and violations of Islamic teachings. Modern factory farming fails to fulfill Islamic conditions, leading to inhumane, unethical, and un-Islamic treatment of animals. This results in meat that is not in accordance with Islamic guidelines of halal and tayyib (pure) sustenance. See what Islamic scholars have to say on this.
Myth 12:
Environmentalism is only for the rich.
While some aspects of environmentalism may be perceived as disconnected from the everyday lived experiences of working-class individuals, issues such as litter, air pollution, water contamination, etc. are aspects that affect everyone and require collective efforts regardless of any distinctions, socioeconomic or otherwise.
Myth 13:
Veganism doesn’t bring you closer to Allah (SWT).
On the contrary, abstaining from taking the life of an animal for sustenance is a morally praiseworthy act in Islam. As per a hadith: Mu’awiya ibn Qurra reported that his father said, “A man said, ‘Messenger of Allah, I was going to slaughter a sheep and then I felt sorry for it (or ‘sorry for the sheep I was going to slaughter’).’ He said twice, ‘Since you showed mercy to the sheep, Allah will show mercy to you.’” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad). Thus, even if an animal has been raised and is about to be slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines, sparing its life serves as a means of getting closer to the Mercy of Allah (SWT).
Myth 14:
The climate situation is beyond repair.
It is understandable (and easy) to feel hopeless considering the present state of affairs. But it is also very dangerous. This belief, once internalized, can lead us to inaction. We are still very much in the race to stop global warming, and every tenth of a degree is vital. Every little step we take today will shape the future of our coming generations.
Eating local meat is better for the environment than plants that have been flown in.
Myth 15:
One of the most popular arguments put forward against the idea of eating less meat for the environment is to state that eating locally grown, seasonal food is a much better alternative. While eating local, seasonal food can indeed lessen the impact of our diet, cutting down on meat consumption has a significantly greater impact on reducing our emissions. So much so, that even if you ate 100% local, it would still have a smaller impact on reducing your environmental footprint than choosing a vegan diet.
Myth 16:
Meat from grass-fed cows can be climate neutral.
It is believed by some that grass-fed beef is good for the environment, as, according to their claim, these animals can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through their grazing actions. Research, on the other hand, has shown that this is actually not the case. It has been shown that grazing livestock are net contributors to the climate problem, similar to all livestock, and that rising production and consumption of meat is harming the environment, regardless of the farming system.
Myth 17:
Individual actions cannot make a lasting impact.
While it is true that structural changes and effective global environmental policies are vital in the fight against climate change, the importance of our lifestyle choices, such as the food we eat, the way we travel, etc., cannot be underestimated. Every little act we do, when added up over a lifetime, can create a massive impact. Individual actions might not have caused the climate crisis, but they hold the key to solving it.