Why so Green?

From the Green Dome of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina to the fluorescent greens of flags and political campaigns, Islam has established itself as the world's "green" religion

Green has strong associations to Islam. Prophet Muhammad seems to have favoured the colour and is said to have worn a green cloak and turban. The Hadith, which are generally believed to record the words and actions of the Islamic prophet, are full of references to the colour. In one, it says, “When Allah’s Apostle died, he was covered with a Hibra Burd”, a green square-decorated garment. In the Quran, Islam’s holy book, the colour is associated with paradise, a place where people “will wear green garments of fine silk”.

That green should be symbolic in the dry desert where Islam emerged is hardly surprising. The Quranic figure Al-Khidr – traditionally translated as “the Green One” or the “Verdant One” – symbolises immortality and has been associated with esoteric knowledge or fertility by Islamic scholars. 

Al-Khidr may have inspired the Green Knight, the heroic character of medieval legend, who is described in one story as worshipping Muhammed. Some scholars see green as a natural fit for Islam, since the colour is in the middle of the spectrum: The prophet preached moderation and the Quran describes the Muslim community as “the midmost nation”.