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.

Read More: The Quran, Sunnah, and the Path to Climate Justice

An excellent three-step strategy for overcoming fatalism in the face of growing climate concerns is provided in the example of Prophet Noah, peace be upon him (Nuh a.s): Employing disaster risk preparedness through acquiring the needed knowledge, or ‘Ilm; putting in the required effort, or ‘Amal, to prepare and protect from the disaster; and trusting in Allah, or having Tawakkul, for a favourable outcome.  

‘ILM: The Importance of Seeking Knowledge 

When confronted with disasters, Islam asserts that fatalism is unjustified. Humans are urged to utilize all the resources provided by God to mitigate disaster risks. Both the Quran and the Sunnah, the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), underscore the paramount importance of acquiring knowledge. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explicitly stated in a hadith: “Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim.” This hadith emphasizes the compulsory nature of acquiring knowledge within Islam.

An illustrative instance is the story of Prophet Noah (PBUH), as recounted in the Qur’an. This narrative serves as an inspiration, emphasizing the significance of proactive preparedness in the face of potential disasters.

In this respect, the Qur’an says:

 “So We revealed to him, saying: ‘Construct the Ark within Our sight and under Our guidance’; then when comes Our command, and the fountains of the earth gush forth …; and address Me not in favour of the wrong‐doers; for they shall be drowned.”
(Al‐Mumenoon 23:27)

The verse’s elucidation reveals that God directed Noah to prepare himself for the impending flood in his land. Noah (PBUH) built an ark because he knew of imminent harm. He also had knowledge of how to protect from the type of harm that was soon to befall his community. As safety is achieved when one is prepared, this directive signifies the necessity for human effort in mitigating disaster risks. 

’AMAL: Effort into Action

Climate change intensifies the risks of extreme disaster events. Therefore, it’s essential to actively engage in community planning and development as key elements of disaster risk reduction strategies. The community must be equipped with knowledge, skills, and understanding to ensure awareness and preparedness for disasters. Social media is a valuable tool for raising awareness. Modern technology represents our foremost conventional resource for advancing climate awareness. 

The mosque can also serve as an integral institution for sharing and expanding knowledge within the community. In Islam, the mosque has held important roles within the Islamic community since the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Mosques function as a hub for a wide array of programs, social interactions, and educational endeavours. 

Islam emphasizes the rejection of fatalism and instead encourages environmental conservation no matter how grave the circumstances may be. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: 

“If the Final Hour comes while you have a shoot of a plant in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it.”
(Sahih Al Albani)

The teachings of Islam underscore the importance of proactive measures towards safeguarding the environment and preparing for unforeseen challenges. This is exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) encouragement to engage in positive actions, such as planting trees, even when faced with imminent uncertainty. His guidance emphasizes the significance of individual efforts in mitigating potential risks and enhancing resilience. 

Read More: Fasting from Consumerism: How to Embrace Minimalism

In the story of Noah (PBUH), when he received the revelation to prepare for the imminent danger of flood in his land, he put the utmost effort into protecting his community from the disaster by spreading awareness while building the arc. 

“So he began to build the Ark, and whenever some of the chiefs of his people passed by, they mocked him. He said, “If you laugh at us, we will ˹soon˺ laugh at you similarly.”
(Hud 11:38)

Similarly, in the realm of disaster risk preparedness, proactive measures and community involvement are vital. These actions help to minimize vulnerabilities and ensure collective readiness to face adversities.

TAWAKKUL: Trust in Allah 

The fatalistic mindset prevalent in many Muslim communities across different nations stems from a misunderstanding of Islamic teachings. Particularly misunderstood is the concept of Tawakkul, trust in God. There is a misconception that Tawakkul involves surrendering to God’s will without making any efforts or preparations for disasters. From the Islamic perspective, Tawakkul starts with human exertion and diligence. Allah does not alter the condition of a people unless they actively strive to bring about positive change in themselves. Therefore, applying knowledge and technology in disaster risk reduction represents a human effort to mitigate the impact of disasters. 

Read More: The Eco-Conscious Journey of Black Muslim Americans

Allah (swt) says: “And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes).”
(al-A’raf 7:96)

Misconstruing Tawwakul as fatalism in the face of increasing climate threats can be deadly. It leads to inaction and hopelessness that can claim lives. However, Islam teaches the opposite—realistic optimism and struggle for excellence in all aspects, including bettering one’s living conditions. This can be translated into the aforementioned framework of seeking knowledge, making the effort and only then putting a complete trust in Allah for a favourable outcome. 

Recognizing the urgent threats of climate change, we can turn to lessons in Islam, rooted in the Qur’an and Hadith, to protect the Earth. Drawing inspiration from the story of Prophet Noah (PBUH), we find a practical framework for preparing for disasters that is embedded in Islamic principles. By embodying the principles of knowledge, effort, and trust in Allah, we can confront the challenges of climate change with determination and hope, fulfilling our duty as stewards of the Earth.

The post Noah’s Ark of Resilience: Islam’s Response to Climate Fatalism  appeared first on Muslim Climate Watch.

Palestinians suffer from extreme water shortages due to discriminatory Israeli policies, which include restrictions on drilling new water wells, installing pumps, or deepening existing wells without Israeli permits. Additionally, they are denied access to the Jordan River and freshwater springs and face discriminatory regulations on rainwater collection and harvesting.

Policies of Water Apartheid

Israel imposed stringent bans and restrictions on the Palestinian water sector immediately after its occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in June 1967. The Israeli military authorities centralized full control over all water resources and water-related infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). In November 1967, Military Order 158 was issued by Israeli authorities, mandating that Palestinians must obtain permits from the Israeli army to construct any new water installations. Palestinians were then obligated to seek Israeli permission to drill new wells. However, such permits were granted sparingly which intensified the difficulties faced by Palestinians in accessing water resources.

Joint Water Committee

The Joint Water Committee (JWC), established under the Oslo Accords, oversees water resource management in the West Bank. Established for a five-year interim period that was supposed to end in 1999, the committee continues to date due to the absence of a permanent status agreement for the OPT. It oversees water resource management in the West Bank, excluding the Jordan River.  

Read More: Seeds of Resilience in Palestinian Agriculture

Obtaining approval from the JWC is just the initial step for Palestinians undertaking water projects in the West Bank. The three zones of the West Bank, Area A, B and C were established after the Oslo Accords, with Area C being contiguous and covering over 60% of the West Bank. Following JWC approval, additional permits from the Israeli army are required before commencing any work in Area C.

Many applications are rejected, delayed, or simply ignored for days. Even with permits, the execution of work hinges on the Israeli army’s evaluation of “security considerations” in the specific location. Areas can be restricted to Palestinians for hours to weeks or longer, based on the Israeli army’s obscure security assessments. For example, repairing pipes connecting various sections of Area C and linking villages to wells necessitates obtaining separate permits for each area. The execution of this work is contingent on the Israeli army’s assessment of the so-called security considerations in the planned areas. Initiating such projects without prior approval leads to their suspension or demolition by the Israeli army.

Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement

In 1995, Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) signed the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, however, it failed to adequately address the Palestinians’ needs. Since the signing, Israel has extracted up to three times the amount from the Eastern Aquifer than initially agreed upon. In contrast, Palestinian withdrawals from the Eastern Aquifer have decreased, dropping from 138 million cubic meters (MCM) to 84 MCM in less than a decade. This decline is partially attributed to a decline in the water table potentially influenced by excessive Israeli extraction.

Read More: Climate Oppression, Eco-Apartheid & Palestinian Occupation

A major flaw in the Interim Agreement is the false equivalence of power dynamics between Israel and the Palestinians, with a complete disregard for the reality of Palestinian occupation. The agreement uses language suggesting two analogous water sectors—one Israeli and the other Palestinian—creating an illusion of joint monitoring and sharing of resources between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. 

While limiting Palestinians’ access to water, Israel has actively expanded its own water infrastructure and network in the West Bank to serve its citizens both in Israel and in settlements despite being illegal under international law. Mekorot, the state-owned Israeli water company, has systematically drilled wells and tapped springs in the occupied West Bank to provide water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes, including to Israeli settlers residing in illegal settlements.

Consequences for the Palestinian Community

As many as 180 rural Palestinian communities lack access to running water. Similarly, up to 97% of the water supply in Gaza is heavily contaminated. Numerous Palestinian communities in the West Bank are compelled to buy water from mobile trucks operated independently by Palestinians, accruing heavy costs. In some impoverished communities, water expenses can constitute up to half of a family’s monthly income. Moreover, Palestinian farmers have been forced to constantly vary their crops due to a lack of sufficient water supply.

Read More: Israeli Bombs Pushing Towards Climate Devastation

Breach of Agreements

Most of the arrangements stipulated in the Interim Agreement have not been implemented to this day. Almost 30 years after the agreement was signed, the Palestinians are still not able to pump the agreed amounts of water. Additionally, the JWC has become a tool for promoting Israeli interests only, whereas the failure of the Interim Agreement to ensure joint supervision and enforcement of water resources has left Israel with the sole enforcement powers. 

The contrast between the water supply enjoyed by Israeli citizens and the deliberate shortages imposed on Palestinians exposes a system of inequity and apartheid faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation. Israel’s unilateral control over Palestine’s water resources, coupled with a failure to uphold agreements, perpetuates a cycle of hardship for Palestinians. The water crisis not only reflects the power imbalances inherent in Israel’s occupation of Palestine leading to decades of conflict but also underscores the urgent need for international intervention to end the occupation, policies of apartheid and a reassessment of agreements to ensure a just and sustainable water distribution system in the region.

The post Israel’s Water Apartheid Policies in the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza Strip appeared first on Muslim Climate Watch.

Since 1996, at least 6 million Congolese have died, and more than 7 million people have been displaced as a result of conflict and violence, driven by Western and corporate intervention via arms sales to militias in the region and exploitation of the country’s rich mineral resources.

Mining and Violence in DRC

Artisanal mining, small-scale informal mining activities carried out with minimal equipment, in the DRC is marked by dangerous work conditions, where miners are ruthlessly exploited by traders who purchase from them along a shady supply chain. 

DRC is rich in coltan –  short for columbite-tantalite, a highly sought-after mineral and a key component used in manufacturing heat-resistant capacitors found in laptops, cellphones, and high-end electronic devices. In 2021, the DRC was its largest producer globally, producing 700 metric tons, approximately more than 60% of the world’s coltan supply. However, coltan extraction in the DRC is marred by violence and corruption. Activists, journalists and scholars state a direct correlation between the exploitation of coltan with widespread environmental harm, human rights violations, violence, and loss of life. 

The DRC also possesses abundant cobalt deposits crucial for rechargeable lithium batteries used in millions of products from companies like Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft, and Tesla annually. 

Read More: Seeds of Resilience in Palestinian Agriculture

The relentless demand for cobalt and other minerals, fueled by the pursuit of affordable handheld technology and a ‘zero carbon market,’ has tripled in the last five years and is anticipated to double by the end of 2020.

Armed groups and militias have taken over many mining sites, terrorizing local communities to control the lucrative trade. The ruthless pursuit of power and profit has led to mass displacements, livelihood destruction, and the loss of numerous innocent lives.

Via The Africa Report, 2022

Climate Apartheid in the DRC

The DRC, despite possessing abundant minerals crucial for sustainable energy, is poorly equipped to face climate impacts. The nation is facing a text-book definition of climate apartheid, as richer countries exploit its resources for their climate resilience sourced through the exploitation of local miners working in hazardous conditions and subject to atrocities, while DRC continues to rank among the bottom 5 countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis and least resilient to withstand its impacts.

The demand for sustainable energy technologies has created a market for metals like copper and cobalt, essential for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and cell phones. 

However, the labour commodification in the DRC, in large part due to the lack of environmental regulations, has allowed companies to monopolize the production of these crucial minerals in the DRC, vital for technologies in energy transitions such as wind turbines and storage batteries.

Who’s Responsible?

The supply chain in the DRC, from mining to end use, is highly complex, operating without meaningful oversight and lacking a paper trail for tracking minerals from source to export.

Miners, often working long hours underground, frequently express a sense of being exploited by a system that leaves them no recourse to negotiate with traders. Faced with the need to survive, they find themselves compelled to accept these unjust terms of business.

Read More: The Libya Floods Are a Deadly Interplay of War & Climate

The role of multinational corporations and their complex supply chains with convoluted networks of intermediaries and traders obscures the origins of coltan. It is almost impossible to decipher whether a mineral has been sourced ethically and responsibly. The global tech industry’s demand for coltan has played a big role in perpetuating atrocities in the DRC.

What are the Environmental & Humanitarian Impacts?

The DRC’s minerals are being exploited in the name of green energy technologies with many foreign-led industrial mining operations tied to deforestation in the Congo River Basin, and the destruction of agricultural fields of local communities – further exacerbating food insecurity and poverty. These dire conditions have forced children as young as 5 years old to search for minerals in the sand near mines, and 40% of unregulated artisanal miners are reported to be children. Over 40,000 of artisanal miners working in DRC’s coltan mines are children and teenagers.

The DRC has lost 8.6% of its tree cover since 2000, with mining being a major cause of deforestation. Coltan production also has polluted water bodies and aquatic life with chemicals, as the process of mineral separation, sieving and sorting is manually done through washing at streams and rivers. 

References

1. International Insight: the silent genocide in the DRC. https://libertywingspan.com/75226/opinion/international-insight-the-silent-genocide-in-the-drc/ 
2. What coltan mining in the DRC costs people and the environment. https://theconversation.com/what-coltan-mining-in-the-drc-costs-people-and-the-environment-183159 
3. Child miners: the dark side of the DRC’s coltan wealth – ISS Africa. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/child-miners-the-dark-side-of-the-drcs-coltan-wealth 
4. 7 Million People in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Are Now Displaced. https://www.democracynow.org/2023/11/10/headlines/7_million_people_in_the_democratic_republic_of_the_congo_are_now_displaced 
5. Inside the DRC’s Artisanal Mining Industry. https://www.amnestyusa.org/updates/inside-the-drcs-artisinal-mining-industry/ 
6. In Congo, Lure Of Quick Cash Turns Farmers Into Miners: NPR. https://www.npr.org/2013/03/28/175577518/in-congo-lure-of-quick-cash-turns-farmers-into-miners 
7. Addressing the enablers of coltan smuggling in the DRC requires holistic solutions. https://www.theafricareport.com/203796/addressing-the-enablers-of-coltan-smuggling-in-the-drc-requires-holistic-solutions/ 
8. ND-GAIN Index Country Rankings. https://gain.nd.edu/our-work/country-index/ 
9. Silent genocides: Congo, Armenia + Sudan. https://migrantsrights.org.uk/2023/11/07/silent-genocides/ 

The post DRC Silent Genocide & Climate Apartheid Amidst Mining Rush appeared first on Muslim Climate Watch.