Ecotheology and Conservation Jurisprudence: Formulating Islamic Legal Principles in Sustainable Natural Resource Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15575/djash.v4i2.54152Keywords:
conservation fiqh, eco-sharia, legal governance model, Islamic ecotheology, sustainabilityAbstract
This study aims to critically examine and formulate the integration of Islamic ecotheology and conservation fiqh as the philosophical, normative, and applicative foundation for developing an Islamic legal framework in sustainable environmental governance. The focus is on bridging the gap between Islamic normative-spiritual discourse and the need for an operational legal environmental model compatible with global policies. Islamic Ecotheology, Conservation Fiqh (Fiqh al-Bi’ah), Maqāṣid al-Shariah al-Bī’iyyah, Eco-Sharia Legal Governance Model, Khilafah (Stewardship), Amanah (Trust), Sustainability. This qualitative research employs a library-based approach. The nature of the research is normative-philosophical and juridical-comparative, analyzing primary legal sources (Qur’an, Hadith, fatwas) and secondary sources (academic literature), while comparing Islamic legal principles with modern environmental policies. Data analysis is conducted through hermeneutics and qualitative content analysis. The research scope encompasses the study of Islamic theological concepts (Tawhid, Amanah, Khilafah, Mīzān), Islamic legal principles (fiqh maxims and maqāṣid al-shariah), and contemporary environmental policy instruments (SDGs, green economy, national regulations, green Islamic finance) within the context of sustainable natural resource management. The core finding is the formulation of the Eco-Sharia Legal Governance Model, an integrative framework connecting spiritual-ecotheological dimensions, normative-fiqh, and applicative policies. This model affirms environmental protection (hifẓ al-bi’ah) as a core objective (maqāṣid) of Shariah and offers implementation instruments such as environmental fatwas, halal-green certification, Green Sukuk, Green Waqf, Eco-Mosques, and integration into educational curricula. The main challenge lies in the conceptual nature of the model, requiring further empirical validation, and the complexity of integrating religious norms with the political and economic realities of practical environmental policymaking. Recommendations include adopting the model's principles into national environmental regulations, strengthening the role of fatwas as policy instruments, developing religious-based environmental education curricula, and establishing Shariah-compliant institutions or funding schemes dedicated to conservation.
References
Abdelzaher, D. M., Kotb, A., & Helfaya, A. (2019). Eco-Islam: Beyond the Principles of Why and What, and Into the Principles of How. Journal of Business Ethics, 155(3), 623–643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3518-2
Ahmad, I., & Truna, D. S. (2025). Cultural Identity and Economic Resistance in Banten’s Pesantrens. International Journal of Nusantara Islam, 13(1), 99–110.
al-Jayyousi, O. (2021). Islam and Sustainable Development: New Worldviews. Gower Publishing.
Alfadhli, Suratin, S. I., Nadir, K., Fadlillah, M. R., & Saputra, G. A. (2024). Ekoteologi Islam: Menjelajahi Hubungan Spiritual antara Manusia, Alam, dan Tuhan dalam Tradisi Islam. Ta’wiluna: Jurnal Ilmu Al-Qur’an, Tafsir Dan Pemikiran Islam, xx--xx. https://doi.org/10.58401/takwiluna.v6i1.2024
Alias, M. N., & others. (2025). The Position of Maqasid Al-Shariah within Islamic Legal Sources: A Comprehensive Analysis. Samarah, 9(2), 937–964. https://doi.org/10.22373/q4byre51
Amaral, R. D. do. (2025). The Legality of Harmony with Nature. In The Principle of Harmony with Nature as a Legal Foundation (pp. 147–246). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-05475-3_5
Auda, J. (2019). Maqasid al-Shariah as Philosophy of Islamic Law: A Systems Approach (Revised). International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).
Bagir, Z. A. (2021). Ecotheology in Islam: Principles, Perspectives, and Practices. Mizan Press.
Bin Kirin, A., & Kariman, Z. (2026). Toward Interfaith Ecological Ethics: Synergizing Religious Eco- Theology and Local Cultural Wisdom for Environmental Governance in Indonesia. Asian Journal of Media and Culture, 2(1), 23–48. https://doi.org/10.63919/ajmc.v2i1.71
Dusuki, A. W., & Bouheraoua, S. (2021). The Framework of Maqasid al-Shariah (Objectives of Islamic Law) and Its Application in Modern Economics and Finance (Issue 156/2021). ISRA Research Paper. https://www.isra.my/media/1444/research-paper-156-maqasid-al-shariah-eng.pdf
Fachruddin, M. M. (2020). Fiqh Lingkungan: Konservasi Alam dalam Syariat Islam. Prenadamedia Group.
Filiz, Ş. (2025). Multidimensional Theory of Ethical Values for Sustainable Ecological Balance. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202511.1174.v1
Gbadegesin, O. A., & Gbadamosi SAN, O. A. (2024). Indigenous Ecological Knowledge: a Transformative Approach to Biodiversity Legislation in Nigeria. Environmental Management, 74(2), 317–331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-024-01994-2
Ghani, M. K. A., & Hasrah, M. T. (2022). The migration of non-local communities and effects on language ecosystem in Baling, Kedah: Historical and linguistic evidence. 9th Asbam International Conference (Archeology, History, & Culture In The Nature of Malay)(ASBAM 2021), 376–383.
Guerrero, G., & Sjöström, J. (2025). Critical scientific and environmental literacies: a systematic and critical review. Studies in Science Education, 61(1), 41–87. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057267.2024.2344988
Halim, A., Rafii, M., & Kusnadi, E. (2023). Ecotheology In Promoting Environmental Sustainability: Conserving The Eco-Friendly Islamic Doctrine In Jambi Province. Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Ushuluddin, 22(2), 171–178. https://doi.org/10.18592/jiiu.v22i2.10069
Hernández Guzmán, D., & Hernández García de Velazco, J. (2024). Global Citizenship: Towards a Concept for Participatory Environmental Protection. Global Society, 38(2), 269–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600826.2023.2284150
Hussein, J. M. (2024). Islamic Legal Perspectives on Climate Change and Global Policy Frameworks. Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam, 9(2), 723–742. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v9i2.11185
Jonaedi Efendi, S. H. I., Johnny Ibrahim, S. H., & Se, M. M. (2018). Metode penelitian hukum: normatif dan empiris. Prenada Media.
Khalid, F. M. (2019). Signs on the Earth: Islam, Modernity and the Climate Crisis. Kube Publishing.
Kress, G., & Van Leeuwen, T. (2020). Reading images: The grammar of visual design. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003099857
La Fua, J., & others. (2018). Islamic Education on Formation of Environmental Awareness in Pondok Pesantren Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 156, 12035. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/156/1/012035
Maghfirah, F., Husna, F., Muammar, M., & Muksalmina, M. (2022). Fiqh Al-Bi’ah: Islamic Environmental Ethics In Business Development Of Seladang Café. Proceedings of Malikussaleh International Conference on Law, Legal Studies and Social Science (MICoLLS), 2, 00022. https://doi.org/10.29103/micolls.v2i.94
Mangunjaya, F. M. (2019). Memelihara Bumi: Etika Lingkungan Hidup dalam Islam. PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama.
Mangunjaya, F. M., & McKay, J. E. (2022). Revitalizing Islamic Environmental Ethics: A New Paradigm for Conservation. Routledge.
Mohamed, N. (2014). Islamic Education, Eco-ethics and Community. Studies in Philosophy and Education, 33(3), 315–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-013-9387-y
Nasr, S. H. (2020). Science and Civilization in Islam. Harvard University Press.
Nur, A., Bin Husin, H., Alwizar, & Yasir, M. (2025). Qur’anic Ecotheology and the Ethics of Forest Protection in Indonesia. Jurnal Studi Ilmu-Ilmu Al-Qur’an Dan Hadis, 26(2), 351–382. https://doi.org/10.14421/qh.v26i2.6312
Nurhayati, D., & Salim, A. (2023). From Fatwa to Policy: The Role of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in Shaping Environmental Law and Governance. Asian Journal of Comparative Law, 18(1), 112–135. https://doi.org/10.1017/asjcl.2022.28
Omran, A.-R., & Nasr, S. H. (2019). Islamic Perspectives on Science, Technology, and Environmental Ethics. Islamic Book Trust.
Qadir, R. L., & others. (2025). Development of Sustainable Value Chain Framework for Halal Opportunities in Green Economy: A Systematic Review. In M. A. Salisu & others (Eds.), Green and Blue Economy Frameworks for Halal Industry Sustainability. Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-1729-6_15
Razali, N., & Hassan, R. (2024). Contributions of Islamic Green Finance to SDGs. In M. M. Billah & others (Eds.), Islamic Green Finance (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032672946-5
Ritonga, B. R., Said, H. A., & Hasan, H. (2025). The Ecotheology of the Qur’an in Tafsir Al-Marāghī and Tafsir Al-Mishbāh for Building Ecological Awareness and Responsibility in the Perspective of Educational Psychology. Scaffolding: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam Dan Multikulturalisme, 7(3), 334–353. https://doi.org/10.37680/scaffolding.v7i3.7924
Rois, C., & others. (2024). Islamic Law Paradigm Responding Conflicts of Interest of Economic Development and Ecological Conservation Hifdz Al-Bi’ah Perspective. Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam, 9(1), 193. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v9i1.8660
Rozi, S. (2019). Understanding the Concept of Ecosufism: Harmony and the Relationship of God, Nature and Humans in Mystical Philosophy of Ibn Arabi. Ulumuna, 23(2), 242–265. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v23i1.354
Saidin, M. I. S., & O’Neill, J. (2022). Climate Change and the Diversification of Green Social Capital in the International Political Economy of the Middle East and North Africa: A Review Article. Sustainability, 14(7), 3756. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073756
Salim, M. (2022). Makam Prabu Tadjimalela dan Jejak Islam di Sumedang. Dinas Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata.
Sarif, S. M., & Ismail, Y. (2025). Humanising Governance and Management with Spirituality. In Islamic Finance and Sustainable Development (pp. 154–174). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003505570-10
Šetek, J., Alina, J., & Bartůňková, T. (2025). Factors A New Paradigm of Sustainability: Integrating Circular Economy, Inclusive Capitalism, and Christian Ethics. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 14(3), 867. https://doi.org/10.14207/ejsd.2025.v14n3p867
Shabanov, Z. M., Elshad, G. Y., & Yusifov, E. (2025). Islamic Legal Perspectives on Climate Justice: Integrating Environmental Ethics and Economic Responsibility. Journal of Islamic Law and Legal Studies, 2(2), 62–78. https://doi.org/10.70063/jills.v2i2.121
Shahida. (2024). From micro-rituals to macro-impacts: mapping eco-ethics via religious/spiritual teachings into higher education. Ethics and Education, 19(2), 233–254. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449642.2024.2339165
Subhasmita, S. M., & Behura, A. K. (2024). Harmony with Nature: Exploring Sustainable Development through the Lens of Hindu Tradition. Problemy Ekorozwoju, 19(2), 251–264.
Suherman, U. D. (2018). Analysis of Strategy for Development of Halal Tourism Potentials in Syariah Hotels in West Java. Li Falah: Jurnal Studi Ekonomi Dan Bisnis Islam, 3(2), 1. https://doi.org/10.31332/lifalah.v3i2.1193
Suša, O. (2019). Global dynamics of socio-environmental crisis: dangers on the way to a sustainable future. Civitas: Revista de Ciências Sociais, 19(2), 315–336. https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2019.2.31969
Wahdini, M., Kamsi, Hasse Jubba, & Wahyudi Kurniawan. (2025). Negotiating Shari’a and Sustainability: The Changing Roles of Islamic Organisations in Indonesia’s Environmental Legal Reform. Indonesia Law Reform Journal, 5(3), 377–391. https://doi.org/10.22219/ilrej.v5i3.42010
White, R. (2022). Restorative Justice, Repairing the Harm and Environmental Outcomes. In The Palgrave Handbook of Environmental Restorative Justice (pp. 27–50). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04223-2_2
Yasmeen, K., Yasmeen, K., & Al Abri, S. (2024). Islamic Framework for Sustainable Development. International Journal of Islamic Finance and Sustainable Development, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.55188/ijifsd.v16i4.978
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).