Mother Earth and the Islamic Perspective
Human survival is not possible without land. Land grows food, stores water, provides minerals, and offers shelter. That’s why, in many pre-Islamic civilizations, land was portrayed as a “mother.” But the Qur’an describes the Earth as a creation of Allah—submissive and subjugated—not as a mother or goddess. This distinction draws a clear line between Islamic monotheism (Tawhid) and polytheistic beliefs.
Today, the real cause of Pakistan’s destruction is the land issue. Before the creation of Pakistan, all Indian Muslims stood united as one Muslim nation against Hindus and achieved a homeland together. Tragically, after Pakistan’s creation, when Urdu-speaking muhajir arrived in Sindh, a storm of hatred arose in the eyes of Sindhi-speaking Muslims. The same Sindhi-speaking leaders who, prior to Partition, never tired of calling themselves Muslim nationalists in the Sindh Assembly, immediately transformed into Sindhi nationalists after Pakistan came into being.
When Nadeem Rizvi reminds them, “Aren’t you the same Sindhi Muslims who resemble the killers of Imam Hussain?”—it recalls that at the time of his martyrdom, Imam Hussain had reminded the Yazidis, “I am the grandson of the one whose Kalima you recite—did you not declare faith in loyalty and affection to the Prophet?”
Just like that, these self-proclaimed Sindhi nationalists must explain how yesterday’s Muslim nationalists suddenly became ethnic nationalists just because muhajir arrived. The same Sindhis whom Hindus once begged in the Sindh Assembly, “Please don’t divide our Mother India—don’t cut our sacred Mother Earth,”—why did you not listen to them then? Was it just because you wanted to occupy their land? And when your plan to seize Hindu land failed due to unexpected violence at Partition, the Hindus fled to India and muhajir were legally and constitutionally settled in Sindh under the population and land exchange policy. The land left behind by Hindus “ MatrukaSindh” was lawfully allotted to muhajir.
Yet, to illegitimately claim this land, you adopted the very same polytheistic philosophy of those Hindus with whom you once clashed! Why? If you are still Muslims, then come—let us understand the land through the lens of the Qur’an.
The Creation of Earth — A Manifestation of Allah’s Power
In numerous verses, the Qur’an declares that the heavens and the Earth were created by Allah:
Surah Ibrahim 14:32
“Allah is He who created the heavens and the earth.”
Surah Al-Anbiya 21:30
“We made every living thing from water.”
This clarifies that Earth is not a creator, but a creation.
Earth as a Source of Comfort and Sustenance
The Qur’an presents the Earth as a source of ease and shelter not motherland :
Surah Nuh 71:19
“And Allah has made the earth a spread for you.”
Is a spread the same as a mother?
Surah An-Naba 78:6
“Have We not made the earth a cradle?”
Is a cradle a mother?
The resources and provisions in the Earth are attributed to Allah:
Surah Al-Hijr 15:19
“And We caused to grow therein every kind of balanced thing.”
Surah Taha 20:53
“Who made the earth a bed for you and created pathways within it.”
Man’s Status on Earth — As Vicegerent and Trustee
The Earth was entrusted to mankind—not made into a mother:
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:30
“Indeed, I will make a vicegerent on earth.”
Is there any shame left? Instead of viewing the Earth as the entire planet under God’s stewardship, you reduce it to just a province of one country. The Lord appointed you as vicegerents of the whole earth—and yet, in your hatred for the muhajir nation, you shamelessly call abandoned Sindhi land “Mother Earth.”
Nadeem Rizvi gives you argument after argument with evidence, and you respond with abuse?
Surah Al-A’raf 7:10
“We have certainly established you upon the earth.”
He did not make you its child, but granted you authority—so cultivate it, extract its oil, and prosper. But stop tormenting the muhajir nation. Behave like human beings. Stop grabbing abandoned land.
Earth is Subjugated for Human Use
Allah has made the Earth subservient to mankind:
Surah Al-Jathiya 45:13
“And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.”
Surah Al-Mulk 67:15
“It is He who has made the earth manageable for you.”
This shows the Earth serves you—it is not your mother.
Earth’s Fate — Its End and Replacement
The Earth will not last forever:
Surah Ibrahim 14:48
“On the Day the earth will be replaced by another earth.”
Surah Az-Zalzalah 99:1-2
“When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake.”
If the Earth were a mother, its destruction or replacement would be religiously inconceivable.
“Mother Earth” — A Polytheistic Legacy
“Bhumi Devi” in Hinduism is worshipped as a goddess and mother.
The idea of “Matar Bhumi” (Mother Earth) stems from these same religious roots.
The Greek goddess “Gaia” was also considered the mother of Earth.
Qur’anic Critique
The Qur’an explicitly commands not to invoke anyone besides Allah:
Surah Al-Qasas 28:88
“And do not call upon another deity besides Allah.”
Calling the Earth a mother or goddess leans toward shirk (polytheism), as it elevates creation to the level of the Creator.
The Islamic Alternative
In Islam, the Earth is:
- A trust from Allah (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:30)
- A testing ground (Surah Al-Mulk 67:2)
- A temporary residence (Surah Ghafir 40:39)
It should be respected and protected, but not deified or personified as a mother.
The Qur’anic view of the Earth is rooted in pure monotheism:
- The Earth is a creation of Allah and made subservient to mankind.
- It will perish and be replaced by a new Earth.
- Referring to the Earth as “Mother Earth” or adopting such a belief is rooted in polytheism, and the Qur’an gives no support to it.
I appeal to all Sindhi-speaking people: please, stop calling the land “Mother.” Acknowledge the muhajir as a nation, recognize their right to the MatrukaSindh, the evacuated lands of Sindh, and end all illegal occupations.
— Nadeem Rizvi
MatrukaSindh Tehreek
Dated: 8 August 2025