Fasting serves as a means to limit human consumption in the pursuit of human excellence. The practice offers a pathway towards rejection of consumerism and a culture of wastefulness, factors that have contributed to Earth’s pollution and accelerated global warming. As a fundamental tenet of a Muslim’s religious practice, Islam encourages fasting to forge a deeper connection with the Divine. Abstaining from food and choices that impede our self-actualization enables us to transcend the vices of greed and envy, which thrive in the realm of overindulgence and consumerism.
Consumerism, identified as the primary driving force behind capitalism, has unequivocally played a role in the ecological and climate crisis. In the 20th century, capitalism transformed the average human into a consumer, emphasizing individual desire above all else. It propagated the notion that happiness hinges on excessive consumption of food, shelter, clothing and more. Interestingly, capitalism focused on democratizing individual desire, “rather than wealth or political and economic power”, which arguably exerts a more significant influence on an individual’s well-being in a society. The repercussions of mass consumerism are severe, manifesting in widespread pollution, overflowing landfills, and the pervasive presence of toxic plastics throughout the environment.
Read More: The Quran, Sunnah, and the Path to Climate Justice
Prophetic Inspiration for Anti-Consumerism
For Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his companions and the early Muslim community, fasting operated within the framework of Zuhd (asceticism). It transcended the mere ritualistic act of abstaining from food and water; instead, it included relinquishing all forms of material excess that could lead to a stronger attachment to this world. In other words, it was a form of fasting from consumerism.
As an integral part of his lifestyle, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) observed fasting every Monday and Thursday, leading a minimalist lifestyle. Through regular meditative retreats in the Cave of Hira, he (pbuh) exemplified Zuhd, disengaging from attachment to the world while concurrently leading an entire community.
Umar ibn al Khattab, a companion of the Prophet (pbuh) once expressed the essence of Zuhd, stating, ‘You will never be able to work for the next life with anything better than detachment to this life.’
This detachment requires forsaking the desire for materialism within our hearts and curtailing excessive material consumption outwardly in our lives.
Read More: Muhammad’s (pbuh) Lifetsyle: A Guide to Harnessing Blessings of Planting Trees
With the month of Rajab upon us, signalling the imminent arrival of Ramadan after Sha’ban, this presents a wonderful opportunity to begin practicing ritualistic fasting, extending beyond abstaining from food and water to include fasting from consumerism. In Islam, observing fasting during the months of Rajab and Sha’ban carries numerous benefits as a preparation for the sacred month of Ramadan.
Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq al-Balkhi (RA) said: ‘The month of Rajab is the month of planting (your seeds), Sha‘ban is the month of irrigating/watering (them), and Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crop’.
In recent years, Ramadan has unfortunately become synonymous with excessive shopping, undermining its sacredness. In several Muslim countries, there has been a noticeable surge in overconsumption and wastefulness during Ramadan, marked by impulsive shopping for food, festive decorations, modest fast fashion, gifts, and various other items.
Steps to Fast from Consumerism
Despite the concerning rise of Ramadan-induced hyper-consumerism in Muslim countries, it is entirely feasible to reverse this destructive trend. There are numerous steps one can take to observe fasting that incorporates abstaining from materialism, aligning with the true spirit of Islam and following the example of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Engaging in regular meditative retreats in seclusion at the mosque, known as Itikaf, to reflect on the impact of materialism and overconsumption on Earth, and making a conscious intention to fast from consumerism are ways to begin living in balance with nature during these sacred months. Additional steps may include:
- Planning and preparing meals in moderate portions using locally sourced ingredients to minimize waste, growing food in a backyard garden if there is one, or joining a nearby community garden; if neither works then starting a community garden in a local masjid.
- Conserving water by taking shorter showers, fixing leaking faucets, turning off taps when not in use, and considering rainwater harvesting if feasible.
- Saving energy in homes by switching off electronics and lights not in use, and opting for utilities that provide electricity from renewable energy sources if feasible.
- Walking or taking public transportation instead of driving, and carpooling with friends and family members whenever possible.
- Reducing the frequent purchases of clothing items by taking good care of existing ones, swapping clothes with friends and family, boycotting fast fashion brands, and opting for ethically-made clothing or learning how to sew clothes.
- Avoiding the purchase of single-use plastic items and minimizing overall plastic use by replacing them with biodegradable materials for easy natural disposal.
Considering the detrimental impacts of consumerism on our planet, embracing the practice of fasting together with adopting the teachings of minimalism enshrined in the concept of Zuhd provides a meaningful path to treading lightly on Earth. The life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his companions is filled with inspiration to detach ourselves from material excesses and strive for a harmonious coexistence with the environment. To reverse the environmental impacts of overconsumption, the practice of fasting must evolve beyond the ritualistic act to include fasting from consumerism – this is the only way forward to rejuvenate our connection with the Divine while preserving the beauty of our shared home, Earth.
