Ramadan and environmental protection? Is there a correlation between the two? As is well known, Muslims view Ramadan as a month full of wisdom. Muslims use it to practice self-restraint, increase worship, and strengthen their relationship with Allah SWT.

Therefore, Ramadan is an opportune moment to make improvements and changes in many areas. This momentum for self-restraint is one of the main reasons.

Furthermore, Ramadan is not simply a ritual of abstaining from hunger and thirst, but also a spiritual practice. It is hoped that it will lead people to self-awareness, social empathy, and controlled consumption. Unfortunately, the opposite often occurs: overconsumption, abundant food shopping, and ultimately, the resulting pile of waste. This is ironic, because the essence of Ramadan is simplicity, not luxury.

This situation leads to increased financial expenditures, especially during the traditional celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Fulfilling these needs often leads to a lack of self-control. Various efforts are undertaken, including those that cause environmental damage. Sporadic resource exploration is still carried out, including environmental destruction. Although not currently being carried out, the desire for resource management should be controlled after Ramadan.

Because one of the causes of environmental damage is human actions driven by their desires. Yet, Islam strongly emphasizes environmental protection, prohibits the destruction of the earth, and emphasizes humans as trustworthy caliphs. Numerous verses (evidence) call for environmental conservation, water conservation, tree planting as charity, and maintaining cleanliness, all of which are forms of gratitude and responsibility to Allah SWT.

The various natural disasters that have occurred recently are also inseparable from human behavior. Verses in the Quran also explain this phenomenon, such as the verse that states, "Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned." Yet, Allah SWT has already prohibited this in His Word, "And do not cause corruption on the earth after it has been set in order, and pray to Him with fear (of being rejected) and hope (of being answered). Indeed, the mercy of Allah SWT is near to those who do good."

Besides the verses of the Qur'an, Rasulullah SAW also said that "Every Muslim who plants a tree or grows a plant, then it is eaten by a bird, human or animal, then for him it will be alms". Apart from that, Rasulullah SAW in several narrations often reprimanded friends for excessively performing ablution, even in flowing river water. According to the ulama, this warning is a form of confirmation of the importance of water conservation.

Rasulullah SAW also said his words about the reward being as many as the fruit of a tree. Rasulullah SAW said "No one plants a plant, unless Allah 'Azza Wajalla records a reward for him in the size of the fruit produced by that plant" (HR Ahmad).

Apart from that, Rasulullah SAW also said, giving the command to plant trees, "If the doomsday occurs while one of you has a shoot in his hand, then if he is able before the doomsday occurs to plant it, then plant it." (HR Bukhari and Ahmad).

Therefore, the most important wisdom of the month of Ramadan is to increase a servant's piety towards Allah SWT. Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for Muslims to become pious, as explained in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 183. Through the wisdom of Ramadan, a Muslim is expected to learn to always feel watched by Allah SWT in every situation, whether alone or with others.

The simple essence of piety is carrying out Allah SWT's commands and avoiding His prohibitions. This means that when environmental preservation is a command from Allah SWT, it should be carried out. And when destroying the environment or nature is prohibited by Allah SWT, it should be avoided and avoided.

Human actions that damage nature in various ways should be avoided. Simple, frequently done actions that ultimately damage the environment should also be avoided. One example is not disposing of trash properly. Another simple action anyone can do is to encourage colleagues, relatives, and the wider community to protect the environment and the surrounding environment.

A broader and more complex preventive measure involves protecting forest areas. As part of nature and the environment, forests have strategic benefits in protecting the environment. They serve a vital role as the lungs of the world (producing oxygen and absorbing carbon), regulating water systems (preventing floods/droughts), protecting against erosion/landslides, providing habitat for biodiversity (80% of species), and providing economic resources, food, and medicines. Forests maintain the balance of ecosystems and the global climate.

The lessons learned from the frequent natural disasters of recent years have garnered considerable attention from all parties. The spirit of restraining the urge to destroy forests should be heightened as Ramadan approaches. It is hoped that the spirit of Ramadan, which teaches us to control our desires, will inspire a collective spirit for everyone to wisely protect nature and the environment.

Hopefully

Author: Regional Secretary of the Riau Regional Community Forestry Communication Forum, Hasan Supriyanto

Read the full details of this news on the Cakaplah website: https://www.cakaplah.com/berita/baca/133689/2026/03/06/ramadan-dan-upaya-penyelamatan-lingkungan/