Analysis of Environmental Sustainability in the Holy Quran: Maqasid Framework

Abstract

The current global challenges of climate change and sustainable development are leaving the world helpless, despite numerous failed attempts to address these critical issues. Exploring the Islamic worldview of environmental sustainability and conservation is therefore even more vital in these momentous times. This worldview features a purpose-driven focus, exploring the higher objectives behind environmental sustainability as extrapolated from the Revelation. Four main themes in the Quran regarding the environment include the concepts of corrupting (ifsaad) and bettering (islaah) the Earth, as well as the key objectives of being custodians and inheritors of the Earth (istikhlaf/isti’mar/wirathah). The concept of utilization (taskheer) is coupled with the “communities like you” (umamun amthalukum) that share the planet and resources with us. Derivatives of the term (fa sa da) have been mentioned 50 times in the Quran, 36 of which reference earth. Custodianship is mentioned in the Quran more than 30 times, with direct references to the earth appearing 17 times. Facilitation includes many groups, such as the sun and the moon, which were emphasized nine times, as well as stars, sea, and cattle, each emphasized three times in conjunction with the facilitation theme. Stipulated values include knowledge, respect, preservation, humility, and responsibility. The collection of verses has been compiled, coupled with references from the Sunnah and Islamic jurisprudence, and analyzed in light of the maqasid methodology. Similarly, human groups can be further classified into reformers, corrupters, believers, non-believers, wrongdoers, and hypocrites. At the same time, other communities, such as animals, plants, mountains, and other species, fall into these groups. Environmental sustainability from an Islamic worldview is defined holistically and distinctively, combining spiritual, social, economic, moral, ethical, intellectual, and religious aspects into a single core meaning. Although some creatures are facilitated for humans on Earth, communities like humankind emphasize that bettering and preserving the balance of Earth is humankind's unique responsibility.