Muslims should not be wasteful or harm the environment, this week’s sermon reminds worshippers.
“The greatest trait a Muslim can have in life is moderation in all matters. No excessiveness or negligence, but intention and balance,” says the sermon.
It quotes a verse from the Quran, which says: “Eat and drink, but be not prodigal. Lo! He loveth not the prodigals.”
Wasting resources is being prodigal. “The Quran has linked worshipping Allah and building the Earth,” the sermon states.
The Quran quotes Prophet Shoayb as saying: “O my people! Serve Allah, and look forward to the Last Day, and do not evil, or make mischief in the earth.”
Muslims should not spend excessively on food, clothes or vehicles. Such profligacy encourages people to buy things they do not need just to compete with others, which is wasteful.
Overeating should likewise be avoided, to avoid “harming oneself and one’s body”.
The Prophet Mohammed taught his followers that when eating they should allocate a third of their stomach to food, a third to drink, and a third to their selves.
“Extra food litters the earth with its residue and turns it into waste, which harms the environment,” the sermon states.
It is also important not to waste water when performing ablutions. The Prophet Mohammed once passed a man who was doing so and asked him why he was being so wasteful.
He told the man he should refrain from such extravagance, even if he were performing his ablutions at a running river.
