A new book by Prof. İbrahim Özdemir, Chair of the Environmental Ethics Platform at Üsküdar University, has been released by Hayat Publishing. The work titled (Ç)Evrenin Efendisi: Çevreci Yönüyle Hz. Peygamber’in Biyografisi (Master of [Eco]Universe: A Biography of the Prophet Muhammad from an Environmental Perspective) presents the Prophet Muhammad not only as a historical figure, but as a moral guide who shaped the relationship between humanity, nature, and the universe on the principles of mercy, balance, and responsibility.
A seerah revisited in an age of global crises
Against the backdrop of intensifying debates on global warming, environmental destruction, and ecological justice, the book aims to reread the life of the Prophet through an environmental lens. Özdemir describes the work as: “A messenger, a leader, a guide… and the greatest friend of nature. A biography of a prophet who embodied the universal messages of the Qur’an through his life and presented them to humanity.”
The Prophet’s approach to nature and all living beings is examined through the concepts of mizan (balance), amanah (trust), and rahmah (mercy).
Prof. İbrahim Özdemir: “Powerful examples of environmental and cosmic balance were not made visible”
İbrahim Özdemir, faculty member of the Department of Philosophy at Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Vice Rector of American Islamic College, spoke about his motivation for writing the book. He recalled a moment from a lecture he delivered in New York on Islam’s environmental perspective, noting that despite the Prophet’s life offering strong examples regarding nature, living beings, and cosmic balance, this dimension had not been sufficiently highlighted.
“A product of deep reflection and moral responsibility”
Özdemir emphasized that in traditional seerah literature, the Prophet is often portrayed primarily as a historical figure, statesman, or military leader, while his mercy-centered ethics concerning the human–nature relationship remained in the background. Reexamining classical and modern sources through today’s environmental crises and ethical responsibilities, Özdemir invites readers to rediscover the Prophet as a teacher of balance and moral measure who guided humanity’s relationship with nature.
Strong resonance from academic and intellectual circles…
Following its publication, the book received appreciation from prominent figures in academia, literature, and the world of thought.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “It makes environmental sensitivity visible by linking it to today’s environmental crises”
Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, President of Üsküdar University, shared his evaluation of the work. Tarhan stated, “With his work titled (Ç)Evrenin Efendisi, our esteemed scholar İbrahim Özdemir offers us the opportunity to read the life of the Prophet from an entirely new perspective. This study makes visible the Prophet’s environmental sensitivity, the importance he placed on ecological balance (mizan), and his understanding of mercy that encompasses all creation by relating them to today’s environmental crises.”
Prof. Ümit Doğay Arınç drew attention to the interdisciplinary impact
Prof. Ümit Doğay Arınç, President of Manisa Celal Bayar University, emphasized the book’s interdisciplinary influence. Arınç said, “I believe that the book (Ç)Evrenin Efendisi will also be inspiring and encouraging in fields such as nearly zero energy buildings, heat pumps sourced from air, water, and soil, and structures designed with solar energy.”
Mehmet Ali Bulut: “This book is an ijtihad on the concept of mercy”
Researcher and writer Mehmet Ali Bulut underlined that he does not see the work as limited only to environmental awareness. Bulut stated, “This book is not merely a lesson in environmentalism, but also an ijtihad on the concept of mercy. With this work, İbrahim Özdemir has truly opened a great gate of mercy. He has shown us that the concept of mercy to the worlds encompasses all beings. The Prophet is not only merciful to humans and all creatures, but also a mercy for the continuation of the world itself.”
Nurdan Damla: “This trust can be protected through the principles exemplified in practice by Prophet Muhammad”
Writer Nurdan Damla highlighted the book’s emphasis on the consciousness of trust. Damla said, “As a Native American proverb states, ‘The Earth was not inherited from our ancestors; it was borrowed from our children.’ The Earth is an ancient trust belonging to all of us and offered to all humanity. The way to protect this trust is through the principles exemplified in practice by the Prophet of mercy, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We will encounter this beauty in the refined style of our respected scholar İbrahim Özdemir.”
Yıldız Ramazanoğlu: “A book that proclaims our Prophet as the master of the universe and the environment”
Writer Yıldız Ramazanoğlu also stated, “A book that proclaims our Prophet, who said ‘Our Lord will hold accountable the one who unjustly kills a sparrow on the Day of Judgment; be merciful to those on earth so that those in the heavens may show you mercy,’ as the master of the universe and the environment. A master in whose being the harmony, justice, elegance, and balance of both worlds are manifested…”
(Ç)Evrenin Efendisi: Çevreci Yönüyle Hz. Peygamber’in Biyografisi” stands as an important work for all readers interested in environmental ethics, the relationship between religion and nature, and ecological responsibility.