Islam's Secret to Preserving Earth Through Maqashid Shariah
Imagine a world where every drop of water is valued like gold, trees are considered friends, and pollution is seen as betrayal of divine trust.
This is not an eco-utopian fantasy, but the core of Fiqh Al-Bi'ah (Environmental Jurisprudence) in Islam. Amid climate crisis, deforestation, and threatening pollution, Islam offers profound solutions rooted in the highest objectives of Shariah: Maqashid Al-Syari'ah. This article reveals how this 14th-century concept becomes a powerful weapon for ecosystem preservation in the 21st century!
Contemporary fiqh branch examining Islamic laws related to environment. It answers questions like:
The ultimate objectives behind Islamic law as revealed by Allah SWT. Scholars (like Al-Syatibi) summarize them in 5 core purposes (Ad-Dharuriyyat Al-Khamsah):
Environmental damage (air pollution, water contamination, global warming) directly threatens Hifzh An-Nafs (life/health), Hifzh Al-'Aql (brain health from toxins), Hifzh An-Nasl (generation survival), and Hifzh Al-Mal (economic loss). Therefore, environmental preservation (Hifzh Al-Bi'ah) is not just good action but religious obligation (fardh) to achieve Maqashid Syariah!
How is this theoretical concept implemented? Let's examine the pilot "Green Mosque Initiative" implemented in several mosques in Indonesia and Morocco, directly inspired by Fiqh Al-Bi'ah and Maqashid Syariah principles.
Expert team (scholars, environmentalists, architects) assesses mosque's environmental impact (energy/water consumption, waste, land use).
Special study circles and Friday sermons connecting environmental verses/hadiths with Maqashid Syariah (e.g., hadith prohibiting urinating in water sources relates to Hifzh An-Nafs).
Forming "Green Mosque Teams" from congregation to manage programs and ongoing education.
Measuring impact changes before and after project over 2 years.
The project showed significant results:
| Parameter | Before Project | After Project | Reduction | Sharia Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Consumption (kWh) | 15,000 | 8,500 | 43% | Reducing Israf (Waste) |
| Water Consumption (m³) | 3,000 | 1,800 | 40% | Preserving Hifzh An-Nafs & Resources |
| Waste Production (kg) | 2,000 | 1,200 | 40% | Cleanliness & Disease Prevention |
| CO₂ Emissions (tons) | 10 | 5.5 | 45% | Preserving Clean Air (Hifzh An-Nafs) |
These dramatic reductions aren't just numbers. They're concrete evidence of Fiqh Al-Bi'ah implementation to achieve Maqashid Syariah:
| Statement | Agree Before Project | Agree After Project | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental preservation is religious duty | 65% | 92% | 27% |
| Littering = sin | 70% | 95% | 25% |
| Saving ablution water = worship | 55% | 88% | 33% |
| Willing to participate in mosque environmental actions | 40% | 78% | 38% |
Shariah-based education proved effective in changing perceptions. Environmental preservation is no longer seen as just "worldly movement" but integral part of faith and obedience (Hifzh Ad-Din).
Studying Fiqh Al-Bi'ah requires special "tools" combining sharia and environmental sciences:
| Main "Reagent" | Research Function |
|---|---|
| Sharia Texts (Qur'an & Sunnah) | Primary legal sources. Examples: QS Ar-Rum:41, Hadith prohibiting littering in roads. |
| Classic & Contemporary Fiqh Books | Understanding past and present scholars' interpretations (e.g., Al-Muwafaqat by Asy-Syatibi for Maqashid). |
| Environmental Data (Scientific) | Pollution statistics, deforestation, water scarcity etc. as evidence of threats to dharuriyyat. |
| Maqashid Al-Syari'ah Principles | Analytical framework for assessing environmental laws & policies. |
| Istishlah & Saddu Adz-Dzari'ah Concepts | Ijtihad methods: Seeking public benefit & closing paths to corruption. |
| Khalifah & Amanah Concepts | Philosophical basis of human responsibility toward earth. |
Fiqh Al-Bi'ah isn't obsolete theory. It's visionary solution embedded in Islam's teachings. Through Maqashid Al-Syari'ah lens, environmental damage appears not just as technical problem but as spiritual crisis threatening humanity's creation purpose. Projects like "Green Mosque" prove: when sharia principles about ecological preservation (hifzh al-bi'ah) are understood and implemented, results are real and sustainable.
Islam teaches that earth is our vast mosque. Fiqh Al-Bi'ah provides practical guidance, while Maqashid Syariah serves as moral compass. It's time we, as khalifah, take active role. Start from mosques, homes, and closest communities. Every saved water drop, every sorted waste, every planted tree is tangible worship in preserving divine trust and realizing sustainable earth—according to sharia objectives. Earth doesn't need superheroes; it needs responsible stewards. Be part of the solution!