WAQF-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE: ISLAMIC INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSES TO GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL CHALLENGES
Indonesia 
Brunei Darussalam Brunei Darussalam 
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Ecological Resilience, Environmental Governance, Islamic Institutions
Abstract
Global ecological degradation has intensified the need for institutional models that combine ethical responsibility, sustainable finance, and community participation. This study aimed to examine how waqf institutions can contribute to environmental governance and respond to contemporary ecological challenges through accountable, inclusive, and financially sustainable mechanisms. A qualitative comparative multiple-case design was employed involving ten waqf institutions and thirty informants, including n??irs, Shar??ah advisers, environmental experts, regulators, and community representatives. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and non-participant observation, then examined using thematic and cross-case analysis supported by exploratory institutional scoring. The findings show that waqf institutions have supported environmental education, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, waste management, and renewable energy. Stronger institutional performance was associated with clear governance structures, diversified financing, formal partnerships, and systematic ecological monitoring. Financial accountability and Shar??ah compliance were generally more developed than environmental measurement and independent ecological auditing. The study concludes that waqf can strengthen environmental governance when religious legitimacy is integrated with professional management, scientific evaluation, stakeholder participation, and transparent reporting. Waqf should therefore be understood not merely as a charitable instrument, but as a long-term governance mechanism capable of linking Islamic ethics, social welfare, and ecological resilience across diverse institutional contexts.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ridhoul Wahidi, Ahmad Zainal, Nadiah Ismail
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