The recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel, coupled with recurrent interruptions to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, has shown us once again how connected our world has become. Despite being thousands of kilometres away, these events have a significant impact on our immediate environment. Increased energy prices, increased shipping costs and disrupted supply chains ultimately increase the price of food, fertilisers, animal feed and agricultural inputs. The impact for Malaysians is not only reflected at petrol stations, but also supermarkets and local markets, reminding us that food security is increasingly dictated by events beyond our borders.
These developments reveal a reality that is often overlooked: food security cannot exist without energy security. Every stage of the modern food system depends on a stable and affordable supply of energy. Electricity keeps irrigation systems running, keeps food fresh in cold storage, powers processing plants and makes sure that supermarket shelves are always full. Fuel transports crops, livestock and food products across increasingly complex supply chains, while natural gas serves as a critical input in fertiliser production, directly influencing agricultural productivity. This situation means that rising energy prices are not merely an issue for the energy sector; they ripple through the entire food system. When energy becomes more expensive or supply is disrupted, production costs increase, transportation becomes more costly and food prices inevitably follow.
Yet the global competition for energy is no longer driven solely by transportation, manufacturing, or households. It is increasingly shaped by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI). Around the world, governments and technology companies are investing billions of dollars in AI infrastructure, particularly hyperscale data centres that operate continuously and require enormous amounts of electricity and water for cooling. AI promises incredible advances in healthcare, education, scientific discovery and economic output. But its expanding energy demands are changing the global consumption of electricity. As agriculture, the food industry and AI compete for the same energy resources, the digital economy is thus an increasingly crucial issue in discussions on food security.
This situation should not be seen as an argument against technological progress. Instead, AI has huge potential to boost food systems by enabling precision agriculture, making irrigation more efficient, detecting crop diseases earlier, reducing food losses across supply chains and enhancing the ability of governments to anticipate food shortages before they become crises. The actual challenge, therefore, is not the technology, but its governance. As governments speed up their digital transformation, they must also invest in reliable electricity systems, renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure to ensure that AI complements rather than competes with key sectors such as agriculture. Strategic management of AI may be an engine of economic growth and a valued collaborator in boosting long-term food security.
It is precisely here that Islam offers a broader and more enduring perspective. The Quran reminds believers of the role of mankind to serve as khalifah (steward) on earth. Resources, scientific knowledge and technological innovation are not ends in themselves but trusts (amanah) to be administered wisely and justly. Allah says: “And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation” (al-A’raf, 7:56). This notion extends beyond environmental conservation to encompass responsible governance, sustainable economic development and ethical technology innovation. Innovation pursued at the expense of environmental balance or social welfare ultimately undermines the very prosperity a community strives to achieve.
The Quran also stresses moderation: “Eatand drink, but do not be excessive. Indeed, He does not love those who commit excess” (al-A’raf, 7:31). While this verse is generally interpreted in the context of personal behaviour, it has wider implications for national policy and sustainable development. Overconsumption of food, energy and natural resources puts unneeded pressure on the ecosystems and increases the vulnerability to future catastrophes. Globally, millions of tonnes of food are wasted each year, representing not just wasted meals, but also wasted electricity, water, fuel, land, labour and financial resources spent across the food production chain.
The Prophet Muhammad illustrated this lesson in his own life when he discouraged waste even while taking ablution beside a flowing river. Such guidance demonstrates that conservation is not only an economic need, but also an ethical responsibility. Islam teaches its followers to develop habits of efficiency and thankfulness regardless of whether resources appear abundant or insufficient. Such a teaching becomes increasingly relevant in a world where every unit of electricity saved and every kilogramme of food preserved contributes to a greater national and global resilience.
Islam also encourages strategic planning beyond moderation. The story of Prophet Yusuf is one of the examples in history of long-term food security governance. After interpreting the king’s dream, Prophet Yusuf advised storing grain during the years of plenty to prepare for the years of famine (Yusuf, 12:47–49). His response combined scientific observation, wise governance, efficient resource management and the public’s trust. He created resilience before the crisis, rather than reacting after disaster struck. This timeless lesson is especially pertinent for today’s civilisations that are confronting more and more interrelated dangers of climate change, geopolitical instability, technological disruption and energy insecurity.
These lessons suggest a balanced way forward for Malaysia. Expanding renewable energy, improving energy efficiency across the food supply chain, investing in climate-smart agriculture, supporting AI applications for sustainable farming, reducing food waste and increasing strategic reserves of food are not competing priorities but complementary. It is also necessary that technical advancement be embedded with ethical ideals that foster justice, public welfare (maslahah), environmental stewardship and equitable access to essential resources. In the end, the food crisis today is no longer simply about generating more food. It is about managing energy sensibly, adopting technology responsibly and protecting the fragile balance between economic progress and environmental sustainability. Islam presents a holistic framework that reconciles these priorities through the concepts of stewardship, moderation, justice, and foresight. In an era where global events, the rapid growth of AI-powered data centres and disruptions in energy markets can affect food prices in Malaysia, these timeless values are increasingly important for building resilient societies that are better prepared for future challenges.
