New
New
Year 9

Khalifah: Muslim perspectives on the earth

I can investigate Muslim attitudes to the earth and explain how some Muslims live out being a khalifah.

New
New
Year 9

Khalifah: Muslim perspectives on the earth

I can investigate Muslim attitudes to the earth and explain how some Muslims live out being a khalifah.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Within Islam, there is a vision for how to care for the earth.
  2. The Qur'an speaks of humans are khalifahs who protect the earth.
  3. The Qur’an emphasises Tawhid and mizan in the khalifah’s role, highlighting the duty to prevent fasad.
  4. Cambridge Central Mosque and Easton Jamia Mosque support Muslims in living out this vision in real, practical ways.

Keywords

  • Tawhid - oneness of God

  • Mizan - balance and harmonyin the universe

  • Khalifah - human stewardship and responsbility for the Earth

  • Fasad - corruption and disruption of God’s natural order

Common misconception

Students may think that Islam doesn't have much to say about environmental ethics

Islamic teachings provide a strong and ancient vision for sustainable living.


To help you plan your year 9 religious education lesson on: Khalifah: Muslim perspectives on the earth, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Cambridge Central Mosque and Easton Jamia Mosque have excellent resources to supplement this lesson or for further research. The Muslims' guide to climate change is freely available. Students could look at the examples from the hadith and Qur'an to analyse what practical action is suggested and why.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
What does the idea of stewardship encourage people to do?

care for nature as if it belongs to them
Correct answer: look after the Earth on behalf of God
control nature using scientific knowledge

Q2.
Which word best describes the belief that humans are the most important part of the universe?

stewardship
dominion
Correct answer: anthropocentric

Q3.
What belief is linked to the idea that humans can use the Earth’s resources freely?

Correct answer: dominion
stewardship
environmentalism

Q4.
What is philosophy?

a way of creating religious laws
Correct answer: a way of exploring big questions using reason and logic
a method for memorising facts about nature

Q5.
What did philosopher Mary Midgley say about the view that humans are above nature?

It’s supported by the Bible.
It helps people respect animals.
Correct answer: It leads to environmental destruction.

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Match each key word to its correct meaning.

Correct Answer:Mizan,balance and harmony in the universe

balance and harmony in the universe

Correct Answer:Khalifah,human stewardship and responsibility for the Earth

human stewardship and responsibility for the Earth

Correct Answer:Rahmah,mercy, compassion and kindness towards all creation

mercy, compassion and kindness towards all creation

Q2.
When humans break the balance Allah created in the world, they cause .

Correct Answer: fasad, Fasad

Q3.
Which of the following shows rahmah?

cutting down forests for wood
Correct answer: helping injured animals and planting trees
using more plastic for convenience

Q4.
What is one way the Cambridge Central Mosque shows care for the Earth?

Correct answer: by using solar panels and rainwater recycling
by encouraging more driving to the mosque
by holding large festivals every weekend

Q5.
Islam doesn’t have much to say about environmental ethics.

True – The Qur’an is only about prayer and worship.
False – Muslims only care about the afterlife, not nature.
Correct answer: False – Islamic teachings promote sustainable living and care for Earth.

Additional material

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