We’ve gathered web-based resources for Muslims - including ayat (verses) from the Qur’an and resources related to various Muslim themes. You’ll see these below the ecospirituality tips.
O children of Adam, eat and drink, but do not be wasteful. Allah does not like prodigals!
Quran 7:31
Muslim Eco-Spirituality Tips
By Saffet Abid Catovic and Faraz Khan, with assistance from Fletcher Harper
More and more masjids (mosques) are integrating respect of Creation and Creation-oriented themes into their religious services. This is vitally important. As A. K. M. Mohiuddin writes in The Natural World and the Muslims, “Respect, love and concern for the environment are an essential part of a Muslim's piety and worship.” Here are our recommendations on how to do this well.
Muslims make use of water for wudu every time they prepare for salat (prayer) – whether at home or at the masjid. Usually, we do not think to conserve water, but instead take it for granted. If one considers the following facts, it becomes increasingly clear that this is not acceptable. According to the United Nations:
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Only 1% of the world's water is usable for humans. 97% is salt water, and 2% is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. The 1% of the world's water supply is a precious commodity necessary for our survival. 2.4 billion people - just under half the world's population - have no adequate water supply for daily needs. Many of these people are Muslims.
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Pollution makes a large amount of freshwater dangerous or undrinkable. 2.2 million people die each year from diseases caused by contaminated drinking water and poor sanitation.
Islam teaches that we are to use water sparingly as we conduct our wudu. Consider the following teachings. (Note that a sa’a – the measurement referred to below - is four madd (handfuls) of water from a moderate sized man’s hand.)
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The Prophet (PBUH) routinely made wudu with less than one half a liter of water. Anas said, "The Prophet, upon whom be peace, used to perform ghusl (the complete bathing) with a sa'a of water. He also used to make ablution with one madd of water." (Related by al-Bukhari)
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'Ubaidullah ibn Abu Yazid narrated that a man asked Ibn 'Abbas, "How much water is sufficient for wudu?" He answered, "One madd." "And how much is sufficient for ghusl?" He said, "One sa'a." The man said, "That is not sufficient for me." "Ibn 'Abbas said, "No? It was sufficient for one better than you, the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace." (Related by Ahmad, al-Bazaar and at-Tabarani in al-Kabeer.)
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Masakh - the wiping of parts of the body that is part of wudu - is properly understood as referring to the act of wiping not washing. While describing the ablution of the Prophet (PBUH), Ibn 'Umar said, "He wiped his head and ears with one wipe." (Related by Ahmad and Abu Dawud.) In another narration it states, "He wiped the inner portion of his ears with his index finger, and the outer portion with his thumb." In addition, the permissibility of wiping over one’s socks (providing they are of a certain thickness and material) as a muqeem (resident – non-traveler) for a period of up to 24 hours and for a musafir (traveler) for a period of up to 48 hours is well established in the Sunnah (Traditions) of the Prophet (PBUH).
We encourage you to post signs at your facility utilizing the passages listed above – or others. And, we encourage you to invite leaders of your masjid to practice wudu with a reduced amount of water. When leaders practice a new behavior, members of an institution will follow.
Muslims make use of water for wudu every time they prepare for salat (prayer) – whether at home or at the masjid. Usually, we do not think to conserve water, but instead take it for granted.
…Allah loves not those who waste.
Holy Qur’an 6:141
If one considers the following facts, it becomes increasingly clear that this is not acceptable. According to the United Nations:
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Only 1% of the world's water is usable for humans. 97% is salt water, and 2% is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. The 1% of the world's water supply is a precious commodity necessary for our survival. 2.4 billion people - just under half the world's population - have no adequate water supply for daily needs. Many of these people are Muslims.
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Pollution makes a large amount of freshwater dangerous or undrinkable. 2.2 million people die each year from diseases caused by contaminated drinking water and poor sanitation.
Islam teaches that we are to use water sparingly as we conduct our wudu. Consider the following teachings. (Note that a sa’a – the measurement referred to below - is four madd (handfuls) of water from a moderate sized man’s hand.)
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The Prophet (PBUH) routinely made wudu with less than one half a liter of water. Anas said, "The Prophet, upon whom be peace, used to perform ghusl (the complete bathing) with a sa'a of water. He also used to make ablution with one madd of water." (Related by al-Bukhari)
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'Ubaidullah ibn Abu Yazid narrated that a man asked Ibn 'Abbas, "How much water is sufficient for wudu?" He answered, "One madd." "And how much is sufficient for ghusl?" He said, "One sa'a." The man said, "That is not sufficient for me." "Ibn 'Abbas said, "No? It was sufficient for one better than you, the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace." (Related by Ahmad, al-Bazaar and at-Tabarani in al-Kabeer.)
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Masakh - the wiping of parts of the body that is part of wudu - is properly understood as referring to the act of wiping not washing. While describing the ablution of the Prophet (PBUH), Ibn 'Umar said, "He wiped his head and ears with one wipe." (Related by Ahmad and Abu Dawud.) In another narration it states, "He wiped the inner portion of his ears with his index finger, and the outer portion with his thumb." In addition, the permissibility of wiping over one’s socks (providing they are of a certain thickness and material) as a muqeem (resident – non-traveler) for a period of up to 24 hours and for a musafir (traveler) for a period of up to 48 hours is well established in the Sunnah (Traditions) of the Prophet (PBUH).
We encourage you to post signs at your facility utilizing the passages listed above – or others. And, we encourage you to invite leaders of your masjid to practice wudu with a reduced amount of water. When leaders practice a new behavior, members of an institution will follow.
A number of sources within Islam teach that earth itself may be used as a purifying agent in place of water.
Many Muslims do not avail themselves of this practice, even when they find themselves outdoors and without easy access to water. We recommend that you remind members of your masjid about the ritual of tayammum, or "dry wudu" - the use of dust in the performance of ritual purification before prayer in the absence of water.
Tayammum literally means "aim, purpose." In Islamic law, it refers to "aiming for or seeking soil to wipe one's face and hands with the intention of preparing oneself to pray."
Many Muslims are not familiar with the Islamic sources related to tayammum.
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The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) had remarked that “…the ard (Earth) was made a masjid and a means of taharah (purification)…” (Sahih Muslim) With these words the Prophet (PBUH) emphasizes the sacred nature of earth or soil, not only as a pure entity but also as a purifying agent.
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The Qur'an says, "…And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes from relieving himself, or you have touched women, and you do not find water, then go to high clean soil and rub your face and hands (therewith). Lo, Allah is Benign, Forgiving." (Holy Qur’an 4:43).
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From the sunnah we have the hadith related by Abu Umamah in which the Prophet (PBUH) said, "All of the earth has been made for me and my nation a pure place of prayer. Whenever a person from my nation wants to pray, he has something with which to purify himself, that is, the Earth." (Related by Ahmad.)
Salat (prayer) is one of the pillars of Islam - Muslims are required to perform salat five times a day. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) has told us the whole earth has been made a masjid (mosque) for us. We could understand this as meaning that just as the masjid is sacred to the Muslim, so also is the Earth; there is no difference.
Salat – praying - outdoors exposes and reconnects the believer to nature and to Allah.
Many Muslims are not aware that outdoors is the preferred location (for the performance of the prayers of the two Shariah-sanctioned Islamic Holidays – Eid’Ul’Fitr and Eid’Ul’Adha. An Eid gah (example pictured) is an open-air mosque where prayers are to be performed on these holidays.
The importance of the outdoors as a place for Salat is reinforced by the design of the Kabbah (the House of Abraham) and the Baytul Ateeq (the Ancient House) in the Haram Sherif (Sacred precincts) whose qiblah (direction) Muslims face daily in prayer. The Kabbah is an outdoor roofless sanctuary in which humans and other creatures join together in a universal congregation of prayer and worship. It is sacred ground to which the Hajj (the Great Pilgrimage) and Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) are made. It is also notable that during these pilgrimages, no plant or animal can be needlessly killed – for to do so would violate the sanctity of the Kabbah and integrity of the pilgrimage itself.
Weather permitting, we recommend that your masjid encourage people to carry out their salat outdoors at times and to consider reviving the Prophet’s Sunnah to pray the Eid Prayers outdoors. Few acts can impact our salat in such a positive way.
There is a proud tradition of gardens within Islam, which served as places of reflection and rest. With this tradition in mind, we encourage masjids to beautify their facilities, featuring the Earth’s presence in several ways.
Plants or other natural elements such as fountains or running water, flowers, bushes or plants, leaves or cuttings from local trees can be placed at the entrance to the masjid where they are visible to all. Just like Islamic gardens of old, these elements can beautify the masjid and deepen worshipers’ relationship with Allah’s Earth.
Worship leaders can also use natural products, or services shaped by human effort – to strengthen people’s bond with Creation. For example, masjids can make certain that any handouts provided after salat are printed only on recycled paper, reduce their energy use during worship through energy-efficient lighting (or turning lights off), controlling the thermostat and reducing the opening and closing of doors, or purchasing renewable energy credits to offset carbon emissions from energy used during worship services.
Technology makes it possible to increase worshipers’ sense of nature’s presence through images. In other religious traditions, worshiping communities are using PowerPoint slides with photographs of nature alongside the words of prayer or verses from sacred texts. Perhaps there is a place in our Islamic Centers’ facilities (outside the musallas – dedicated prayer space) for such images alongside ayat (verses) from the Qur’an.
Finally, the imam can integrate an increased amount of collective silence into all prayers – particularly jumm’ah prayers (Friday prayers). Through silence, people become more aware of surrounding sounds, natural and man-made. They have their senses sharpened, and can develop a stronger relationship with their surroundings and with Allah. In 30-60 seconds of silence, worshipers can experience a bird’s call, a dog’s bark, the rumble of traffic, the sound of a breeze. Many people commented that silence increases their awareness of their neighborhood and deepens their spirituality.
Ramadan – the holiest time of year for Muslims – represents an important opportunity to deepen awareness of the beauty of the Earth and, by extension, the Earth’s Creator - Allah. Ramadan also provides us with opportunities to reduce our impact on the environment.
The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was sent down, a guidance for the people, and clear verses of guidance and criterion…
Holy Qur’an 2: 185
We suggest the following steps to “green” your Ramadan:
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Encourage more outdoor salat. As suggested in the tip above, Ramadan is an excellent time to pray outdoors, and to gain a greater appreciation of the beauty of the night sky, and the wonder of the heavens which Allah created.
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Reduce waste at your Iftars (meals at which a fast is broken). Iftars during Ramadan are an important time of joyful celebration. However, too often our Iftars involve the unnecessary waste of food or other resources. Reduce the amount of food, plates and plastic flatware that you use during Ramadan. Avoid using Styrofoam – which is extremely harmful to the environment and never decays. Bring your own cutlery and plates and re-usable water bottles.
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Read what the Qur’an teaches about nature, its care and respect. There is a selection of passages in the Muslim Eco-Spirituality Qur'an ayat (verses) and Books section of the Eco-Spirituality site.
And once again, please see our Muslim Web-Based Resources page for more information on the greening of Ramadan.
Imams have an important opportunity to speak on ayat (verses of the Holy Qur’an) about the Earth during their khutba (sermon) during jumm’ah prayers. Over 700 ayat have direct references to the environment and nature, and imams have an important chance to speak about Creation as an amanah (trust) - and Muslims’ obligation to care for it and conserve it. Many people have never heard an imam speak in this way, and it can be a life-changing experience to hear such a khutba.
Seest thou not that it is Allah whose praises all being in the heavens and on earth do celebrate…
Holy Qur’an 24:41
Worshiping collectively outdoors connects people with Allah in powerful ways. In recent decades, many masjids have stopped worshiping outdoors because, understandably, they associate worshiping indoors with comfort and protection from inclement weather. By worshiping only indoors, however, a richness of worship and a connection with Allah’s other creatures is lost. Remember – the Prophet (PBUH) and his (companions) regularly prayed outdoors. His masjid consisted of an earthen floor and thatched roof. This simple practice can offer people a new and profound way to connect with the Prophet (PBUH), his Sahabah and their experience of worship.
Seest thou not that to Allah bow down in worship all things that are in the heavens and on earth - the sun, the moon, the stars; the hills, the trees, the animals; and a great number among mankind…
Holy Qur’an 22:18
Here are our recommendations about worshiping outdoors:
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Be comfortable. Worship outside when the weather is mild. While some people may be willing to pray outdoors in cold or wet weather, we recommend that you schedule worship outdoors for times when the weather is likely to be pleasant.
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Be safe. Make sure that place of prayer is dry with secure footing and a safe place for people to prostrate themselves. For people to offer worship deeply, they need to feel safe.
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Use silence. Especially outdoors, periods of silence and silent meditation can be powerful ways to help people re-connect with Allah. In 30 seconds of silence outdoors, people will hear a range of sounds they don’t normally notice – wind, birds, and a range of other sounds. Silence can help people relax, and serves as a reminder of Allah’s Mercy.
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Worship at different times of day. Try over the course of a year, to conduct worship periodically outdoors at all five prescribed times for salat. Different times of day evoke different moods, and different ways to experience Allah’s natural wonders. Don’t worry if only a few people take part if you pray outdoors for Fajr (prayer before dawn) or Isha’a (evening prayer) – the experience will be memorable.
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Read, study and reflect on ayat (verses) from the Holy Qur’an that are related to the Earth. You’ll find a list of passages listed on our Eco-Spirituality site here.
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Enjoy each other’s company. When you’ve finished worshiping outside, make it easy for people to stay outside to talk and socialize.
Conclusion
We encourage imams and Muslim teachers to incorporate the material and suggestions in this resource into worship, religious classes, weekend school and full-time Islamic schools where religious instruction is imparted to the children and youth of the community. These teachings can inculcate in current and future generations a respect for the Allah’s Creation and a desire to care for and preserve it.
In conclusion, we recognize that Allah knows best in relation to all these recommendations.
Muslim Web-Based GreenWorship Resources
The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; and yet ye understand not how they declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbearing, Most Forgiving!
Holy Qur'an 17:44
Muslim GreenWorship Qur'an Verses and Books
To Him belongs every being that is in the heavens and on earth: all are devoutly obedient to Him.
Holy Qur'an 30:26
Qur'an ayat (verses)
These ayahs (Quranic verses) have been put into three groups. The first tells us that all creation worships Allah, the second, that all of creation is a ayah (sign) of Allah for the guidance of mankind, while the third group tells us man's position in the creation, warning him against the pitfalls, and reminds him of his eternal destiny and accountability on the Day of Judgment. For the sake of convenience the ayahs have been grouped on the basis of their particular focus, but in fact they are inextricably related and need to be read and understood in their proper relation to each other. There are many similar verses in the Qur'an as well as many hadith (sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammed Peace be Upon Him) confirming and further elaborating these themes. (Edited and adapted from an article entitled "The Natural World and the Muslims" by A. K. M. Mohiuddin, published by Islamicity.com.)
To Him belongs every being that is in the heavens and on earth: all are devoutly obedient to Him. (Holy Qur'an 30:26)
Seest thou not that to Allah bow down in worship all things that are in the heavens and on earth - the sun, the moon, the stars; the hills, the trees, the animals; and a great number among mankind? But a great number are also such as are fit for punishment: and such as Allah shall disgrace - none can raise to honor: for Allah carries out all that He wills. (Holy Qur'an 22:18)
The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; and yet ye understand not how they declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbearing, Most Forgiving! (Holy Qur'an 17:44)
Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises all being in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds of the air with wings outspread? Each one knows its own mode of prayer and praise. And Allah knows all that they do. (Holy Qur'an 24:41)
Do they not look at Allah's creation even among inanimate things-how their shadows turn round, from the right and the left, prostrating themselves to Allah, and that in the humblest manner? And to Allah doth obeisance all that is in the heavens and the earth, whether moving living creatures or the angels: for none are arrogant before their Lord. They all revere their Lord, high above them, and they do all that they are commanded. (Holy Qur'an 16:48-50)
Nay, thunder repeateth His praises, and so do the angels, with awe. (Holy Qur'an 13:13)
There is not an animal that lives on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but forms part of communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they all shall be gathered to their Lord in the end. (Holy Qur'an 6:38)
Allah disdains not to use the similitude of a gnat... (Holy Qur'an 2:26)
Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth - here indeed are signs for a people that are wise. (Holy Qur'an 2:164)
Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding, men who celebrate the praises of Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the wonders of creation in the heavens and the earth, with the thought: "Our Lord, not for naught hast Thou created all this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire. (Holy Qur'an 3:190-91)
Do they not look at the camels, how they are made? And at the sky, how it is raised high? And at the mountains, how they are fixed firm? And at the earth, how it is spread out? (Holy Qur'an 88:17-20)
And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in men's habitations; Then to eat of all the produce of the earth, and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought. (Holy Qur'an 16:68-69)
Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them in? None can uphold them except Allah Most Gracious: truly it is He that watches over all things. (Holy Qur'an 67:19)
I have only created Jinn and men, that they may worship me. (Holy Qur'an 51:56)
It is He who hath made you (His) khalifas on the earth: he hath raised in ranks, some above others: that he may try you in the gifts He hath given you; for thy Lord is quick in punishment; yet He is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Holy Qur'an 6:165)
We did indeed offer the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it - he was indeed unjust and foolish... (Holy Qur'an 33:72)
Blessed be He in Whose hands is dominion; and He over all things hath Power-He Who created death and life, that He may try which of you is best in deed; and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. (Holy Qur'an 67:1-2)
Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern of conduct for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah. (Holy Qur'an 33:21)
Say: 'If ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.' Say: 'Obey Allah and His Messenger': but if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject faith. (Holy Qur'an 3:31-32)
So set thou thy face steadily truly to the faith: establish Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change let there be in the work wrought by Allah: that is the standard religion: but most among mankind understand not. (Holy Qur'an 30:30)
Work not confusion in the earth after it has been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing in your hearts: for the Mercy of Allah is always near to those who do good. (Holy Qur'an 7: 56)
So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah, and do no evil nor mischief on the face of the earth. (Holy Qur'an 2: 60)
The prayer that man should make for good, he maketh for evil; for man is given to hasty deeds. (Holy Qur'an 17:11)
... make not your own hands contribute to your destruction; but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good. (Holy Qur'an 2:195)
It is He who produceth gardens, with trellises and without, and dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar in kind and different in variety: eat of their fruit in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. But waste not by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters. (Holy Qur'an 6:141)
Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the evil ones and the Evil One is ungrateful to his Lord. (Holy Qur'an 17:27)
... do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. (Holy Qur'an 2:190)
Is there any reward for good other than good? (Holy Qur'an 55:60)
But seek, with the wealth which Allah has bestowed on thee, the home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not occasions for mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief....That house of the Hereafter We shall give to those who intend not high-handedness or mischief on earth: and the end is best for the righteous. (Holy Qur'an 28:77-83)
...but those will prosper who purify themselves, And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord and lift their hearts in prayer. Nay, behold, ye prefer the life of this world; But the Hereafter is better and more enduring. (Holy Qur'an 87:14-17)
The mutual rivalry for piling up the good things of this world diverts you from the more serious things, Until ye visit the graves. But nay, ye soon shall know the reality. Again, ye soon shall know! Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, ye would beware! Ye shall certainly see Hellfire! Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight! Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy ye indulged in! (Holy Qur'an 102:1-8)
...on the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open. It will be said to him: 'Read thine own record: sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee.' Who receiveth guidance receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray doth so to his own loss... (Holy Qur'an 17:13-15)
Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: but the things that endure, good deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as the foundation for hopes. On the Day We shall remove the mountains, and thou wilt see the earth as a level stretch, and We shall gather them, all together, nor shall We leave out anyone of them. And they will be marshalled before thy Lord in ranks with the announcement, 'Now have ye come to Us bare as We created you first: aye, ye thought We shall not fulfill the appointment made to you to meet Us!' And the Book of Deeds will be placed before you; and thou wilst see the sinful in great terror because of what is recorded therein; they will say: 'Ah! Woe to us! What a book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!' They will find all that they did, placed before them: and not one will thy Lord treat with injustice. (Holy Qur'an 18:45-49)
When the earth is shaken to her utmost convulsion, And the Earth throws up her burdens from within, And man cries distressed; 'What is the matter with her?' On that Day will it declare its tidings: For that thy Lord will have given it inspiration. On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they had done. Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it! And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it. (Holy Qur'an 99:1-8)
