Black seed has been widely researched for its therapeutic potential and biological properties, demonstrating a broad range of benefits. Studies have shown it possesses antioxidant, anti-cough, gastro-protective, anti-anxiety, anti-ulcer, anti-asthmatic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating effects. It has also been found to exhibit anti-tumor and hepato-protective properties, aid in treating gastric ulcers, slow tumor growth, enhance memory, stimulate milk production, and display antibacterial activity, among other benefits.

As Muslims, Allah has entrusted our bodies to us as a trust (amana). As Khalifas (stewards or caretakers) of our own selves, it is our duty to care for them with gratitude and responsibility. Incorporating black seed into your health regimen not only promotes well-being but also reflects Islamic values of self-care and a holistic approach to health.

The significance of Black seed is rooted in the following Ahadith:

Black seed as a cure for disease  

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
…‏ إِنَّ فِي الْحَبَّةِ السَّوْدَاءِ شِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ إِلاَّ السَّامَ…
“There is healing in the black seed for every disease except death.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5688; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2215)

Black seed as a remedy 

This relates to maintaining balance in one’s life; the full context comes from a narration where the Prophet Muhammad (saw) advised moderation in worship and self-care. This encompasses that Islam’s teachings address both spiritual well-being and physical health. Black seed aligns seamlessly with these holistic teachings through its extensive health benefits.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
…فَإِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا…
“Indeed, your self has rights over you”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5199) 

How Black Seed Supports Digestive Function and Respiratory Health
Black seed’s positive effects on digestion align with Islamic teachings on healthy eating habits. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) emphasized mindful consumption, reflecting the Quranic principle of moderation: “A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one-third of food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” (Sunan Ibn Majah). 

Black seed has been scientifically shown to stimulate digestive enzymes that promote digestion and reduce bloating. 

Read More: The Plants Mentioned in the Quran

Islam encourages a holistic approach to well-being, with respiratory health being a crucial element. Black seed’s anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce swelling, and its bronchodilatory effects, which open the bronchial airways to improve breathing, make it especially beneficial for those with respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Versatility

It’s important to understand that its healing properties are not confined to a single method of use. The versatility of its use reflects the Islamic principle of balance and moderation in all aspects of life, including health. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) recommended using black seed in various forms, which includes consuming it with honey, a combination that highlights its potential for synergistic healing. 

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar, a renowned Muslim scholar, said: “What is meant by this seed being a healing for every disease is that it should not be used on its own; rather, it may be used alone or with other ingredients. It may be used ground up or otherwise, and it may be eaten, drunk, used like snuff, applied as a poultice, and in other ways.”

The teachings of Islam guide us to care for our bodies as a trust, and the use of black seed exemplifies this holistic approach. By incorporating natural remedies like black seed, alongside other beneficial ingredients such as honey, we follow the Prophetic example of maintaining health and well-being in a balanced, mindful manner. This not only aligns with the Islamic principles of self-care but also reinforces the wisdom of utilizing nature’s gifts to promote overall health.

The post Black Seed and the Prophet’s Legacy of Health appeared first on Muslim Climate Watch.

Muslim burial procedures are strongly founded in religious traditions, with a distinct structure designed to honor the deceased. These customs include a quick burial, minimal grave markings, and the use of natural materials to ensure the body is returned to the ground in a respectful manner.

Funeral (Janazah) Principles in Islam

Islam guides Muslims through life and death using rulings from the Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) traditions (referred to as Sunnah), and Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh). Death is acknowledged as an inevitable part of one’s soul, with specific practices to honor the deceased. The Qur’an reminds believers of death’s certainty and the afterlife’s promise:

Every soul will taste death. And you will only receive your full reward on the Day of Judgment. Whoever is spared from the Fire and is admitted into Paradise will ˹indeed˺ triumph, whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment.
(Quran, Surah Al-Imran: 185)

Islamic funeral practices, outlined in five stages, emphasize swift burial, respect, and minimal disturbance to the body, including many elements suggested for a green burial. 

1. Confirmation and Washing of the Body: After confirming death, the deceased is cleansed on an inclined platform. Rituals like ablution are performed using clean, preferably scented, warm water, while ensuring modesty with proper covering.

2. Shrouding of the Body: Men are wrapped in three pieces of white cloth, women in five, with specific layers and sequences to maintain dignity even after burials.

3. Congregational Prayer: A prayer seeking pardon for the deceased follows, held at the masjid and attended by as many Muslims as possible for greater rewards.

4. Funeral Procession: The body is carried calmly and respectfully to the cemetery, with mourners walking in silence, avoiding music or excessive weeping.

5. Burial: Graves are simple, facing the Qiblah, with the body placed on its right side. Elaborate grave markings and rituals are avoided to maintain humility. The burial occurs locally and as soon as possible, with coffins used only if required by local laws.

Islam discourages the long-distance transportation of the deceased, preserving environmental resources otherwise spent in transportation. Not only does this reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transport, but it also additionally reinforces a sense of community within the local environment. Likewise, Islamic funeral practices discourage playing music during processions, thereby reducing noise pollution and maintaining the solemnity of the occasion. 

The conservation of resources extends to the burial site. Islam emphasizes avoiding the use of coffins, cement for plastering and building sophisticated tombs. This promotes natural decomposition while supplementing the soil, supporting the local ecology and aiding the survival of other vital species. Beyond the important value to the environment, these hybrid practices also hold significant symbolic meaning. Demonstrating a profound recognition for the interconnectedness of life and the environment, and understanding even in death, the effect on the planet is profound.

How Other Burial Practices Compare

China, the world’s most populous country, had nearly six million bodies cremated in 2021, burned in 7,000 thousand crematories in the country. This translates to about 58% of the deaths ending in cremation. This widespread cremation process greatly exacerbates the emission of many kinds of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), further highlighting concerns about air quality in the region and health risks to the local population. A thorough emission data collection of these pollutants was created for the period 1990-2012, and future emissions patterns up to 2030 are estimated and according to the analysis, overall emissions would continue to rise steadily. Furthermore, HAP emissions are projected to increase by 3% annually until 2030.

Read More: Reclaiming Zuhd: Embracing Minimalism in a Wasteful World

The burial of caskets with arsenic-treated wood and formaldehyde-based embalming fluids can also further harm the environment. Arsenic and formaldehyde can leak into ground water, affecting aquatic life and risking polluting drinking water. Even the most basic of Western burial processes run the risk of harming the environment. This differs vastly from objects Islam promotes using during burials. Ḥanūṭ has been used in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), referring to the use of oil or natural ingredients to cleanse and slow the decomposition process.  The mixture could have ingredients like lime, sandalwood, camphor, and other plant oils. Muslims also do not typically use caskets at all, many of which have been treated with harmful chemicals. Today some Muslims use a casket-like box to carry the body to and from the burial site, but typically refrain from putting the box underground.

In order to continue the commonality Muslims have in burial processes, there must be intentionality behind preserving the tradition and ensuring any new materials introduced to the process coincide with Islamic law.

How Can Islamic Burials be Made to be More Green?

One of the most encouraging developments in the field is the use of biodegradable shrouding materials. In recent years, some newer shrouding practices often involve materials that are not environmentally friendly, such as the rise of synthetic fabrics replacing natural ones that are biodegradable. Materials like cotton offer an alternative that supports both traditional and ecological values. 

Read More: 10 Must-Reads on Climate, Environment & Islam

A natural fiber, cotton decomposes more readily in the soil, minimizing the environmental impact of the burial process. The principle of simplicity in Islamic funerals also extends to this process. Every Muslim, regardless of social status, is shrouded in plain white cloth, devoid of sewing, cosmetics, or jewelry. This uniformity highlights equality and removes the environmental impact linked to creating and disposing of elaborate burial clothing. The use of these plain, unadorned shrouds ensures that the decomposition process is unhindered, facilitating the natural return of the body to the earth.

Involving Communities In Keeping the Tradition of Islamic Burials Alive

Change, even for environmental benefits, can be met with resistance, especially within communities deeply rooted in tradition. Educating the community about the environmental impact of current practices and the benefits of sustainable alternatives is crucial. Religious leaders and scholars play a pivotal role in this, as their endorsement can significantly influence community acceptance. Ensuring that any changes are in strict accordance with Islamic principles is vital to maintaining religious observance and community trust.

As modern environmental concerns grow, adapting these traditional methods while ensuring community acceptance and adherence to Islamic principles is essential. By balancing tradition with sustainability, Islamic burial rituals provide a meaningful example of how cultural and religious practices can contribute positively to environmental stewardship.

Additional research by Halima Salah.

The post The Soulful Elegance of Islamic Green Burial Practices appeared first on Muslim Climate Watch.

From nuclear testing in the Sahara by the French to the desert used as a tool for the displacement of the Nubian people, the ecological impact of colonial powers on deserts around the world has been profound and destructive. According to Dr. Samia Henni, the desert and those who inhabit it have been systematically racialized and marginalized, enduring ongoing violence and exploitation driven by colonial ideologies that seek to dominate and reshape these landscapes. This highlights the vulnerability and importance of deserts and the people who inhabit them globally. 

Read More: 10 Must-Reads on Climate, Environment & Islam

Deserts are arid biomes, characterized by the lack of precipitation, typically receiving less than 10 inches of rain per year and make up one-third of our planet’s land surface. Examples include the Sahara in Africa, the Mojave Desert in North America, and the Gobi Desert in Asia. Deserts are also defined by their sparse vegetation, specialized fauna, unique soil characteristics, and water scarcity. The arid desert biome is crucial for global climate regulation and carbon cycling. Through the carbon cycle, carbon atoms repeatedly move between the atmosphere and Earth’s organisms, primarily stored in rocks, sediments, oceans, atmosphere, and living beings, facilitating continuous reuse. Deserts can act as “carbon sinks”, storing carbon by accumulating organic matter in their soil and experiencing slow decomposition rates, although this depends on many other factors.

Deserts are a significant source of natural mineral aerosols, tiny particles suspended in the air that play a crucial role in atmospheric dynamics, climate processes, and ecosystem functions. They can be of either natural origin or man-made origin. Anthropogenic aerosols result from human activities such as industrial processes, transportation emissions, and agricultural activities while natural aerosols originate from sources such as sea spray, dust storms, and volcanic ash.  Mineral aerosols are one of the most important atmospheric aerosols, and the majority are from the Sahara and Sahel region impacting hurricane formation in the Atlantic and fertilizing the Amazon Basin. 

The Many Ways of Seeing the Desert 

In John Berger’s seminal text and BBC program Ways of Seeing, the British art critic examines the mechanics of perception, exploring how viewers engage with art. This parallels the need for critical examination when observing our planet. It requires us to scrutinize the lenses through which we understand and describe the natural world. When advocating for environmental justice, it becomes essential to critically examine how colonialism has shaped our perceptions and descriptions of the natural world. Similarly, in the group exhibition Getting Over the Color Green, artists discussed the impact green has had on their perceptions of the world and surroundings despite being in a naturally arid region. Curators Athoub AlBusaily and Gaith Abdulla posed questions in their open call for art submissions, addressing how to dismantle the associations of arid landscapes with colonial ideologies. 

Read More: What is Climate Colonialism?

Colonial powers have viewed deserts as barren and desolate, often considering them as ‘unwanted’ regions despite their exploitation. However, Deserts have served as conduits of knowledge and points of transaction and trade, with the deserts of the Hijaz being the birthplace of Islam as we know it today. In Deserts Are Not Empty (2022), Danika Cooper argues that emptiness is neither a geographical category nor an ecological feature. Unfortunately, this perception of the desert as empty extends not only to its cartographic depiction but also to the flora, fauna, and people that inhabit it. When advocating for environmental justice, it becomes essential to critically examine how colonialism has shaped our perceptions and descriptions of the natural world. For example, the phrase “making the desert bloom” has been used to legitimize settler colonialism, often serving as a form of greenwashing, while implying the necessity of “filing” it through occupation. This has had a profound impact on how many view the environment.

A Holistic Understanding of Planet Earth

To the untrained eye, the desert landscape evokes a sense of alienation. To the colonial gaze, it is to be conquered, a testing ground, and a site for dissent. However, for those who belong to deserts, it is a site of memories and heritage. Divorcing the desert from “barren” and “obsolete” requires a transformative shift in perspective. Although the desert is ecologically fragile, it plays a major role in maintaining our planet. To be stewards of Earth, we must embrace its different states of being. From the fiery eruptions of volcanoes to the mysterious depths of the oceans, to the vast expanses of arid deserts—these all contribute to the unique identity of our planet. 

Viewing Earth solely through a lens of greenery overlooks its complexity, much like the layers of the atmosphere, each with its role. It’s a humbling realization that nature encompasses all aspects of existence, and as inhabitants of this planet, we are inherently intertwined with it.

The post Deserts Are More Vulnerable Than You Think appeared first on Muslim Climate Watch.