ISLAMIC ECO-THEOLOGY AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION: REINTERPRETING KHALIFAH ON EARTH FOR THE ANTHROPOCENE
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Anthropocene, Climate Adaptation, Islamic Environmental
Abstract
The intensifying ecological disruptions of the Anthropocene have renewed interest in faith-based environmental ethics, particularly within Islamic traditions that frame humanity as khalifah (stewards) on Earth. The growing vulnerability of Muslim-majority regions to climate change highlights the need to reinterpret this theological concept as a foundation for climate adaptation. This study aims to develop an eco-theological framework that repositions khalifah as an ecological stewardship ethic aligned with contemporary climate science. A qualitative interpretive design was employed, drawing on classical Islamic texts, modern eco-theological scholarship, and scientific literature on climate adaptation. The findings show significant conceptual convergence between Islamic principles of balance, trust, restraint, and intergenerational responsibility and scientific imperatives related to ecological resilience and sustainability. The study concludes that Islamic eco-theology provides a culturally resonant and normatively robust foundation for shaping adaptation policies, educational initiatives, and community-based environmental action in Muslim contexts. The proposed reinterpretation strengthens interdisciplinary dialogue and highlights the potential of religious ethics to enhance climate governance in the Anthropocene.
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