By: Wari Wicatman
Editorial Board, Jayanews.com
The universe and all it contains do not belong to us absolutely. The blue seas, the verdant forests, the air we breathe, and the ground we walk upon are all a sacred trust. In every religious teaching, caring for this trust is an expression of love for the Giver.
1. The Earth is a Sacred Trust, Not Personal Property.
God created the earth with perfect balance: mountains to stabilize the land, trees to produce oxygen, and water to sustain all living beings. When we disrupt that balance, we are, in essence, betraying that sacred trust.
Religious scriptures state:
“Nature is a reflection of God’s Names and Attributes… Treat it with care and reverence.”
This means that whenever we plant a tree, clean a river, or reduce waste, we are honoring that “mirror” of the Creator.
2. Worship Is Not Limited to Places of Worship.
We often assume that worship consists solely of ritual prayers or fasting. Yet, the true meaning of worship is “devotion.”
Sweeping the mosque courtyard, picking up litter from the street, growing vegetables in the garden, or conserving electricity and water—all of these become acts of worship when done with the intention of preserving God’s creation.
“Do not squander what God has bestowed upon you.” — Kitáb-i-Aqdas.
Wastefulness is a form of ingratitude, whereas preservation is a tangible expression of gratitude.
3. Gratitude Manifested Through Action.
Uttering “Alhamdulillah” (Praise be to God) is good, but the most sincere form of gratitude is expressed through deeds.
How can we claim to be grateful for clean water if we pollute it?
How can we be grateful for fresh air if we indiscriminately cut down forests? ‘Abdu’l-Bahá once reminded us:
“We must be guardians of nature, not its conquerors.”
4. Simple Steps to Care for the Earth as an Act of Worship.
Step Concrete Example Spiritual Significance
1. Reduce: Conserve water, electricity; cut down on single-use plastics Avoiding wastefulness; cherishing God’s gifts
2. Reuse: Carry a reusable bottle and cloth shopping bags Not squandering resources
3. Plant & Restore: Plant trees, compost, maintain cleanliness Nurturing the “field” for future generations
“Consider this world as a fertile field; prepare to sow within it that which will benefit you in the future.” — Bahá’u’lláh
CONCLUSION
Caring for the Earth is not merely about environmental issues or climate change. It is a matter of faith.
It is about whether we truly believe that all things belong to God, and that we are merely entrusted with them for a time.
Let us start with small actions today—from our homes, from our Indramayu.
For caring for the Earth is caring for our worship.
And caring for our worship is proof of our love for the Creator.
“The Earth is fine. What needs fixing is the way we treat it.”
Indramayu, August 24, 2026.
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