Islamic Environmental Thought: A Theological Perspective

This paper examines the relevance of Islamic environmental theology in contemporary Islamic society. Islamic law or Shariah gives a significant prominence to environmental care. The responsibility to care for the environment is set at individual and societal levels, depending on the situation that grants it. The responsibility is further extended tofirms based on the al-dhimmah concept. Environment is an important element that supports the objective of Shariah or Maqasid al-Shariah, which is to safeguard the interests of all beings (maslahah). However, the current devastating state of the global environment poses major challenges to the Maqasid al-Shariah. Hence, environmental degradation may hinder the existence of all beings on earth. This paper shows that the maxims of Islamic jurisprudence in harm prevention is applicable and can provide an impetus to the global environmental movement in modifying human attitudes and actions pertaining to the environment.

Keywords:

Islam , Maqasid al-Shariah , Corporate Environmentalism , Environmental Protection