Agriculture in the Qur’an and Hadith: A Forgotten Legacy

Agriculture holds a profound place in Islam—not just as a means of survival or livelihood, but as a sacred responsibility and even a form of worship. The Qur’an and Hadith offer a rich legacy of wisdom about the land, its cultivation, and the ethics surrounding food and farming, much of which is underappreciated in today’s world.

The Qur’an repeatedly uses imagery from nature—plants, rain, crops, and fruits—to illustrate divine lessons. One striking example is:

“And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firm mountains and rivers, and from all the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (Qur’an 13:3)

Such verses not only show the beauty and balance in nature, but also remind us that agriculture is a direct sign of Allah’s mercy and precision.

In the Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized farming as a noble act. He said:

“If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person, or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (Sadaqah) for him.” (Sahih Bukhari)

This Hadith highlights the concept of sadaqah jariyah—continuous charity—through something as simple as planting.

Islam promotes ethical farming. The Prophet ﷺ condemned hoarding and unfair trade practices, encouraged moderation, and warned against the destruction of crops or waste of water. He respected those who worked the land with honesty and treated animals and nature with kindness.

Sadly, much of this wisdom is being forgotten. In a fast-paced world of industry and urbanization, we often overlook the dignity Islam gives to farming. Many young Muslims aren’t aware that cultivating the earth is an act of faith and that sustainability is a core Islamic value.

To revive this forgotten legacy, we must:

Reconnect with the Qur’anic view of land as a trust (Amanah).

Support and respect farmers as key contributors to society.

Promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource protection.

Teach our youth that food comes not just from factories, but from Allah’s earth, through human effort and divine will.

In today’s age of environmental crisis and food insecurity, the Islamic teachings on agriculture offer not only a spiritual reminder but a practical guide. The land is a gift—and our treatment of it reflects our gratitude to the Creator.

Indeed, the legacy of agriculture in Islam is not lost. It only needs to be remembered.

Written By

F. Fathima Afrah

Faculty of Agro Technology and Rural Sciences (R), 3rd Year

University of Colombo