What does Islam say about climate change?

Islam teaches that the earth is a trust from Allah, and that wasting resources or harming others through pollution is wrong, so Muslims are encouraged to take climate change seriously. Islam does not decide scientific data, but its principles of stewardship, avoiding waste, preventing harm and justice all point toward protecting the environment. Many Muslim scholars and organisations have called for climate action.

The earth is a trust

The Quran describes humans as successors on the earth who are being tested with what they have been given:

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَـٰتٍ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌۢ "He is the One Who has placed you as successors on earth and elevated some of you in rank over others, so He may test you with what He has given you." Quran 6:165

We are caretakers, not owners. The Quran also says that "corruption has spread on land and sea as a result of what people's hands have done" (Quran 30:41). Many scholars apply this to harm people cause to nature, including pollution. For the wider Quranic picture of nature, see What does the Quran say about the environment?

Waste and harm are both discouraged

No waste: "Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful" (Quran 7:31).
Even in worship: the Prophet ﷺ once told a man who was using too much water for wudu that this was extravagance, "even if you are on the bank of a flowing river" (Sunan Ibn Majah 425).
No harming others: "There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm" (Sunan Ibn Majah 2340). Scholars use this principle widely, including for pollution that hurts neighbours and future generations.

Climate change tends to hit the poor and vulnerable first, so justice and mercy are involved too.

Responsibility is shared

The Prophet ﷺ said, "All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards" (Sahih al-Bukhari 893). Governments, companies and individuals all carry some responsibility within their reach. The Quran also says that "whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it" (Quran 99:7-8), so small actions count, even if one person cannot fix the problem alone.

Trust in Allah, and also act

Some people feel climate change is out of our hands. Islam balances reliance on Allah with action. When a man asked whether he should tie his camel or simply trust Allah, the Prophet ﷺ answered, "Tie it and rely upon Allah" (Jami at-Tirmidhi 2517). Islam does not reject science either. In 2015 a group of Muslim scholars and leaders issued the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change, calling on Muslims to reduce harm to the planet.

Everyday steps

Use water carefully for wudu and ghusl. See How much water should I use for wudu?
Cut down food waste, especially during Ramadan feasts. See Is it haram to waste food?
Save energy, buy less and repair things before replacing them.
Plant, recycle and support environmental charities as a form of ongoing sadaqah.

Key points

Humans are stewards of the earth and will be asked how they used it.
Waste is discouraged, and harm to others must be avoided.
Everyone has some responsibility, and small actions count.
Islam asks for trust in Allah together with practical effort.

Tip: Pick one habit this month, such as carrying a reusable bottle or planning meals to avoid waste, and treat it as an act of worship with the right intention.