Why Muslims should support the Degrowth movement
Key Takeaways
The Degrowth movement calls for the organization of society around human and ecological interests, advocating for simplicity and justice in the face of self-interest-maximizing conceptions of humanity.
Islam gives a similar call, advocating for the establishment of society around adl (justice), and living a sustainable existence in harmony with all life and as servants of the Almighty (SWT).
Owing to the similarities, Muslims should not only support the movement, but can actively add a spiritual dimension to it through the teachings of Islam.
The economic paradigm of our time, obsessed with the idea of ‘progress’ and perpetual growth – more production, more consumption, more extraction – is under attack due to its disastrous effects on humans, animals, and the environment.
One of the most prominent challenges comes from the increasingly popular movement of Degrowth, which advocates for the shrinking of economies, rather than pursuing unlimited growth at all costs. It calls for organizing the economy not around purely capital interests, but around human and ecological interests.
If this, as a Muslim, sounds familiar to you, then it’s because it is: this is exactly what Islam asks us to do as well. Both Islam and Degrowth call for reevaluating our values, responsibilities, and relationship with the Earth.
Not only should Muslims support the movement, but we can contribute to it through the teachings of our holistic religion.
Let’s have a look at the similarities between Islam and Degrowth, and why we as Muslims should support the movement.
(The insights below on Degrowth have been taken from The Environment in Anthropology, Second Edition, edited by Nora Haenn, Allison Harnish, and Richard Wilk.)
The environment has intrinsic worth
Degrowth: Sees ecosystems as valuable in themselves, not merely as resources for human use.
Islam: Teaches that nature is a sign (ayah) of Allah, and humanity is a Steward/Caretaker (khalifah), not the owner of the planet.
Islam’s concept of mizan (balance) parallels the Degrowth principle of reducing human pressure on ecosystems and the natural world. The overexploitation of the planet and its resources is a violation of this divine balance.
“And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance. That you not transgress within the balance.”
Humans are more than Homo Economicus
Degrowth: Rejects the idea that humans are just utility-maximizing individuals i.e. Homo Economicus. It critiques the colonial and homogenizing model of “development”, where economic increase based on Western-centric models is treated as the baseline (and goal) for all cultures.
Islam: Emphasizes humanity’s role as Allah’s (SWT) appointed Stewards, where our purpose is to live as His servants, with a spiritual purpose and ethical relations with all life beyond mere material gain.
In Islam, humanity has been created by Allah (SWT) to worship Him and live as His humble servants (Qur’an, 51:56). This involves treating all life with justice (adl), excellence (ihsan), and building communities based on mutual care (ta’awun) – as opposed to selfish economic pursuits.
And the idea that success is measured by GDP or possessions contradicts Prophetic and Qur’anic guidance, in which a simple life where life’s blessings are enjoyed in moderation is encouraged:
“Eat and drink without going to excesses. For Allah does not like those who go to excess.”
A meaningful life involves embracing voluntary simplicity
Degrowth: Points to the failure of wealth and material gain to deliver lasting happiness, a phenomenon referred to as the Easterlin Paradox – long-term happiness of a people is not linked to their economic development – and advocates for voluntary simplicity.
Islam: Teaches qana'ah (contentment) with Allah’s (SWT) blessings and that simplicity is part of faith.
Being content with the blessings that Allah (SWT) has provided us with is a core aspect of our religion, as reiterated multiple times in Surah Ar-Rahman (Qur’an, 55).
Adding to this, being content with a simple life is part of our faith, as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Do you not hear? Do you not hear? Simplicity (in life) is part of Faith, simplicity is part of Faith.”
Justice and structural repair are central to societal living
Degrowth: Highlights inequality, colonial ecological debt, and calls for degrowth of elite lifestyles.
Islam: Demands adl (justice) and prohibits zulm (oppression), and that society be built around the concept of justice.
Degrowth’s demand for the redistribution of the excess wealth of the ultra-rich finds echoes in the Qur’an’s call against those who hoard wealth (kanz):
“Give good news of a painful torment to those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah’s cause.”
And among all the values cherished within the religion, the establishment of adl (justice) is perhaps the most important one. Society in Islam is meant to be centered on the principle of justice, as we’ve been asked to be just at all times, even against ourselves:
“O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate ˹from justice˺.”
Returning to Islamic wisdom in a post-growth world
With so much similarity between the principles and calls of Degrowth and Islam, we argue that every Muslim today should support the movement. Both call us to ask: What kind of world are we building? Who benefits from it? And how do we walk a path of justice and balance?
And while Degrowth’s call for a more sustainable future comes from a secular lens, Islam’s call carries that much more weight and speaks to something deeper in us as it informs us that not only is such a future the need of our times, it is how our Creator intends us to spend our time on this beautiful planet.
““The world is sweet and green and verily Allah is going to install you as vicegerent in it in order to see how you act.” ”
