ISLAM AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: A QURANIC PERSPECTIVE ON SUSTAINABILITY AND STEWARDSHIP
Abstract
ethical frameworks capable of guiding sustainable human interactions with nature. Islamic teachings provide significant insights into environmental responsibility through Quranic principles emphasizing stewardship, balance, moderation, and accountability. This study aimed to analyze the Quranic perspective on environmental ethics and examine its contribution to contemporary concepts of sustainability and ecological stewardship. The research employed a qualitative approach using thematic Quranic analysis supported by classical interpretations and contemporary environmental ethics literature. The findings reveal that Islamic environmental ethics is constructed through interconnected principles of khil?fah (stewardship), m?z?n (balance), prevention of environmental destruction, responsible resource utilization, and moral accountability. The analysis demonstrates that the Quran positions humans as trustees of the earth whose authority over natural resources must be accompanied by ethical obligations to maintain ecological harmony. The study concludes that Quranic environmental ethics offers a comprehensive conceptual framework that complements modern sustainability discourse by integrating spiritual values, ecological responsibility, and human accountability. The findings highlight the potential contribution of Islamic perspectives in developing culturally and ethically grounded approaches to environmental sustainability.
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