International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies: Honoring a Divine Blessing and Embracing a Human Responsibility

On 7 September, the United Nations marks the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. This day highlights the urgent need to combat air pollution, protect human health, and preserve the Earth’s natural balance for present and future generations.

The Earth as a Divine Trust

The Earth and everything on it are a divine blessing entrusted to humanity. God the Almighty has charged us with cultivating, benefiting from, and safeguarding it from harm or corruption. The Quran declares,  “He is the One Who produced you from the earth and settled you in it” (11:61). This verse makes it clear that humanity’s mission is to cultivate and preserve the Earth, not to pollute or destroy God’s blessings.

Clean Air: A Blessing for Body and Spirit

On this occasion, Muslims—and especially followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (p)—are reminded of the weight of this trust. Clean air and blue skies ensure not only physical health but also spiritual tranquility and social vitality.

Imam al-Sadiq (p) teaches, Living does not become pleasant except with three things: pure air, abundant sweet water, and fertile land. (Tuhaf al-Uqul, Ibn Shuʿbah al-Ḥarrani, vol. 1, p. 320).

These three elements not only fulfill humanity’s basic needs but also symbolize the balance between human beings and nature. Pure air is the breath of life, clear water sets the veins of the Earth flowing, and fertile soil is the cradle of civilizations. Safeguarding these blessings today is not a matter of choice, but a moral duty for the present generation and a priceless legacy for those to come.

Responsibility Beyond Ourselves

Imam Ali (p), in a sermon delivered at the beginning of his caliphate (Sermon 167 of Nahj al-Balaghah), underscores this responsibility, “Fear God with regard to His servants and His lands, for you are responsible even for the regions and the animals.”

Our duty extends beyond human relationships to the skies, lands, and all living beings. To pollute the air and threaten life is to betray this divine trust.

Moreover, any behavior that degrades the environment violates the rights of future generations. They, too, have the God-given right to enjoy clean air, fertile land, and safe water. In Islamic ethics, such deprivation is a form of injustice for which we will be accountable before God.

The Ahl al-Bayt (p) embodied this ethic in their lives. Imam Ali (p) cultivated land around Medina, dug wells, and planted orchards, then endowed them as waqf for society’s benefit. This shows that development should serve justice and the common good—not greed or destruction.

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes moderation and warns against waste, “Do not be wasteful; indeed, He does not love the wasteful” (6:141).

Today, much of the world’s air pollution stems from excessive reliance on fossil fuels. Reducing waste, embracing renewable energy, and practicing conservation embody the Quran’s command against excess.

From Personal Action to Collective Stewardship

Environmental responsibility is both individual and collective. Homes, mosques, and community centers should model sustainable practices through renewable energy, efficient water and electricity use, and waste reduction.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh&hp) said: “A servant entered Paradise because of a thorny branch that was on the path of the Muslims, and he removed it from their way.” (al-Ṣadūq, al-Khiṣāl, vol. 1, p. 18) He (pbuh&hp) also said: “Whoever removes from the path of Muslims that which harms them, Allah will record for him the reward of reciting four hundred verses, each letter of which is equal to ten good deeds” (al-Tusi, al-Amali, vol. 1, p. 185). And he (pbuh&hp) said: “Your removal of harm from the road is an act of charity” (al-Majlisi, Biḥar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 50).

These narrations emphasize that keeping the Earth and public spaces clean is not merely a matter of personal preference but a collective social responsibility. Removing harm, waste, or obstacles from the paths benefits the whole community, and Islam elevates such simple acts of environmental care to the level of worship and charity.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Clean air and blue skies are among God’s greatest gifts, signs of His mercy, and trust. Upholding this trust is a duty of faith, ethics, and justice. If we protect it, we ensure the well-being of both present and future generations. If we neglect it, we commit injustice not only against ourselves, but also against those who come after us.

On this International Day, let us honor God’s blessing by embracing our responsibility as faithful stewards of the Earth. Let us begin with small steps in our homes, mosques, schools, and communities—reducing waste, conserving energy, planting trees, and raising awareness. By doing so, we live our faith in action and safeguard a healthier, more just, and more beautiful world for all.