Isra’ Mi’raj, Ecotheology, and the Responsibility of Civilization
By Ali Aminuloh
Isra’ Mi’raj is often remembered as a celestial event, a majestic journey of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) transcending the boundaries of time and space. However, amidst a world roiled by conflict, environmental crises, and the decline of public ethics, Isra’ Mi’raj actually invites humanity to look back to earth. Because every spiritual ascension always ends with one fundamental question: what do we do after we return?
During the commemoration of Isra’ Mi’raj at the Istiqlal Mosque, the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia delivered a message that struck a chord with the nation’s collective consciousness. He emphasized the importance of ecotheology, a religious perspective that places nature as part of a divine mandate. Indonesia, he said, is a painting of God; a masterpiece of creation that should not be damaged, messed with, or exploited without conscience. This message feels relevant amidst the irony: a country rich in resources, yet often neglectful of sustainability; a nation religious in rituals, yet negligent in protecting the environment.
This ecotheological message is in fact aligned with the philosophical meaning of Isra’ Mi’raj. The Prophet’s journey did not begin with a direct “ascension to heaven,” but rather with a horizontal journey, from the Grand Mosque to the Aqsa Mosque. This symbolizes that the relationship with God never severes the connection with the earth. Authentic spirituality is tested in how humans treat each other and their environment. When nature is damaged, it is not only the ecosystem that collapses, but human consciousness itself.
In today’s global context, the humanitarian crisis is increasingly apparent. World politics is filled with arrogance and narrow interests, education produces intelligence without wisdom, and corruption has become a transboundary disease. Nature has become the silent victim of human greed. Isra’ Mi’raj presents a silent critique of a civilization overconfident in material progress but lacking in moral awareness. Humans are capable of reaching space but failing to protect forests; capable of creating advanced technology but neglecting the balance of life.
It is at this point that Shaykh AS Panji Gumilang’s thoughts on the trilogy of consciousness (philosophical, ecological, and social consciousness) become relevant as a framework for building civilization. Philosophical awareness reminds humans of the meaning and limits of life; that power, knowledge, and technology are not ends in themselves, but rather means to ennoble life. Ecological awareness positions nature not as an object of exploitation, but as a partner that must be cared for. Meanwhile, social awareness affirms that the future of human civilization lies in the welfare of society at large.
The effort to build this awareness is evident at Al Zaytun. Since its inception, the campus has been known for its serious concern for environmental sustainability. Development is not carried out by indiscriminate felling, but rather by an approach that respects nature. Trees affected by development are removed using bigjhon, replanted, and cared for. Reforestation is continuously encouraged, green spaces are expanded, and the campus environment is maintained as a healthy and sustainable living space.
What Al Zaytun does is not merely a technical policy, but rather a manifestation of ecological awareness rooted in spiritual and philosophical values. Education takes place not only in the classroom but also in the preserved natural landscape. Students learn that loving God is inseparable from caring for His creation, and that building civilization does not have to begin with destroying the environment.
In this context, Isra’ Mi’raj serves as a mirror for the nation and the world. It teaches that spiritual ascension without social and ecological responsibility will only create emptiness. A truly advanced civilization is not the one with the tallest buildings or the most advanced technology, but rather the one most aware of the meaning of life, the most just in managing power, and the wisest in preserving nature.
Today’s commemoration of Isra’ Mi’raj is a reflective invitation for all elements of the nation: to re-imagine our relationship with God, with our fellow humans, and with the earth. For Indonesia, as the Minister of Religious Affairs stated, is God’s painting. And humanity’s task is not to desecrate it, but to preserve it so that it remains beautiful for future generations.***
Indonesia, January 16, 2026
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