Galamsey is Haram!

Over 1,447 years ago, the Qur’an commanded: “And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order.” (Qur’an 7:56) This verse calls for the protection of our environment and warns against actions that disturb its natural order. In another verse, Allah says: “Do the disbelievers not realize that the heavens and earth were ˹once˺ one mass, then We split them apart? And We created from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” (Qur’an 21:30) And: “Allah has created from water every living creature. Some crawl on their bellies, some walk on two legs, and some on four. Allah creates whatever He wants. Surely Allah is Most Capable of everything.” (Qur’an 24:45).

Water is life. It is the foundation of all creations and the bedrock of human survival. Yet in Ghana, this most precious resource is under siege. Illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey”, is devastating our rivers, poisoning our lands, and destroying the forests that sustain life. This is not just an environmental issue. It is self-destruction, an act of suicide. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) warned: “Two hungry wolves sent in the midst of a flock of sheep are no more destructive to them than a man’s greed for wealth and fame is to his Deen.”

Scholars explain that greed corrupts society as wolves ravage sheep, leaving nothing untouched. The Islamic concept of stewardship (khilafah) teaches that humans are appointed as caretakers of the Earth. Allah tells us: “I am going to place a successive authority on earth…” (Qur’an 2:30). This appointment is a trust. To pollute our rivers and destroy forests in pursuit of profit is a betrayal of that trust. Across Ghana, religious leaders, traditional chiefs, activists, and ordinary citizens have spoken with one voice: We cannot trade the future of our children for quick money today. Yet, greed continues to blind many leaders and citizens alike. As legal scholar Danette Zaghari-Mask observes, in all Abrahamic faiths, water is both physically and spiritually cleansing, a symbol of renewal and proximity to God. Islam and Judaism go further, embedding water into laws of stewardship and justice. Protecting water is, therefore, both a moral and legal duty.

I acknowledge that governments, past and present, have made efforts to combat “galamsey. But I also believe that many in leadership are not entirely free from responsibility. Whether by direct involvement, negligence, or political compromise, we have all allowed this crisis to worsen. Let us be clear: destroying the environment for profit is haram. It is a sin against God, a crime against humanity, and a betrayal of generations yet unborn. Allah reminds us: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Qur’an 13:11). It is time for each of us, leaders, citizens, miners, and consumers, to change. If we fail, the rivers will run dry, the forests will vanish, and the land will turn against us.

May Allah protect Ghana from the greed of a few and bless us with leaders and citizens committed to justice, mercy, and the protection of His creation.