Even before the Sustainable Development Goals were made public by the United Nations, Islam has taught us long before on the ways to sustain our lives. With the teachings of Islam, sustainability can be obtained socially, economically, and environmentally. One of the concepts of Islam that helped me to sustain my life is al-Wasatiyyah.
The meaning of al-Wasatiyyah is mostly known as moderation. However, based on an article about Wasatiyyah from iium.edu.my, referring to the Quranic quote "ummatan wasatan", it is interpreted as the Islamic nation having attributes of balance, excellence, and justice in this world and afterlife to serve as Allah's believers "shuhada' ala al-nas" (witnesses over mankind) and it can also be simplified as "Justly Balanced Nature" or "Justly Balanced Quality" of Islam and the Islamic nation (Quran 2:143).
As a Muslim, I try to be moderate in many things and consequently achieve social, environmental, and economic sustainability. For maintaining social sustainability, I would try not to buy food and drinks more than what I need. This is to avoid wasting valuable food and drinks so that others can have the opportunity to eat and drink it too. This is aligned with the quote from the Quran which is "O Children of Adam! take your adornment at every worship: and eat and drink, and waste not; verily He approveth not the wasters." (Quran 7:31). I also try not to waste water like when I brush my teeth, I will make sure that the water is not running while I'm brushing my teeth. The action may look simple, but it is actually important because saving the water resources can help others by avoiding a shortage in water resources and others. This can also be applied to other valuable resources like electricity and etcetera so that the community can all live harmoniously together. If everyone does their part in ensuring the sustainability of the world, SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) can be accomplished.
As for environmental sustainability, I love to create arts and crafts, especially from plastic, paper, or polystyrene that people do not use anymore. Plastic waste like a used water bottle can be perfectly used as a pencil holder. I also like to decorate it with my own creativity and it will look like a brand new thing freshly out of the store. Reducing material wastage can also reduce chemical wastage like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and chlorofluorocarbons out to the environment and consequently pollute the air, water, and other natural resources and cause harm to the health of the nation. I hope that everyone can implement the 3R concept (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) in their lives so that SDG 3 (Good health and Well-being), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life below Water), and 15 (Life on Land) can be obtained.
For economic sustainability, I like to make myself practice the gift of sharing even when it's just sharing knowledge. Knowledge can be spread and obtain so easily as long as we are willing to share. The economy of a country can be developed if education is also well developed. We can also share or donate items even if they are used as long as it is still in a good condition to other people that are in need. My family would always give out the things we do not need anymore in a plastic bag and put them in the charity bin near our home or give it to the Cash Converters store. My dad also taught me to always donate some money even if it is just cents to the moneybox in the mosque if I'm there. He said even the littlest gift matters. We need to be more of a sharing person than a stingy person. "they give preference to others above themselves, even though they were in poverty, and those that are saved from the stinginess of themselves, they are successful.” (Quran 59:9). I'm sure this can help in achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
