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THE PRESERVATION OF ENVIRONMENT IN
ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE: A CASE STUDY OF
AWARENESS AMONG IIUM STUDENTS
BY
RAUDHAH ABU HANIFAH
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement
for the degree of Master of Islamic Revealed Knowledge
and Heritage
Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge
and Human Sciences
International Islamic University
Malaysia
FEBRUARY 2013
ii
ABSTRACT
People today have become more aware of the importance of preserving the
environment for better life and comfort of future generations. Viewed from an Islamic
perspective, environment protection and preservation are human responsibility so that
people can dwell on the earth peacefully. This case study furnishes the modern notion
of environmentalism that was previously perceived to be lacking sound theoretical
framework grounded in the thought and tradition of Islamic jurisprudence. This
research explores the awareness of IIUM students at Gombak campus on the
environment protection and preservation in light of Islamic jurisprudence. There are
four main categories of environment covered in this study, namely the hydrological,
atmospheric, geological as well as flora and fauna. Both library research and field
work methods were used to collect and analyze the data. The awareness of IIUM
students on the said issue was analyzed to examine two hypotheses concerned. Firstly,
female students are more aware and actively engaged in environmental protection than
their counterparts. Secondly, students in Islamic or religious studies and design
programmes are more aware and actively involved in environmental preservation
approaches than their counterparts. The results revealed that female students were
generally more aware of environmental issues than male students. However, no
significant difference in the students’ daily practices could be discerned between
students of different faculties and academic programs.
iv
APPROVAL PAGE
I certify that I have supervised and read this study and that in my opinion, it conforms
to acceptable standards of scholarly presentation and is fully adequate, in scope and
quality, as a dissertation for degree of Master of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and
Heritage.
……………………………………………
Anke Sandra Bouzenita
Supervisor
I certify that I have read this study and that in my opinion, it conforms to acceptable
standards of scholarly presentation and is fully adequate, in scope and quality, as a
dissertation for degree of Master of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Heritage.
…………………………………………….
Benaouda Bensaid
Examiner
This dissertation was submitted to the Department of Fiqh and UÎËl Al-Fiqh and is
accepted as a fulfilment of the requirement for degree of Master of Islamic Revealed
Knowledge and Heritage.
…………………………………………….
Ahmad Basri Ibrahim
Head, Department of Fiqh and UÎËl Al-Fiqh
This dissertation was submitted to the Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and
Human Sciences and is accepted as a fulfilment of the requirement for degree of
Master of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Heritage.
…………………………………………….
Mahmood Zuhdi Abd. Majid
Dean, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed
Knowledge and Human Sciences
v
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this dissertation is the result of my own investigations, except
where otherwise stated. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently
submitted as a whole for any other degrees at IIUM or other institutions.
Raudhah Abu Hanifah
Signature …………………………… Date ……………………….
vi
INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
DECLARATION OF COPYRIGHT AND AFFIRMATION
OF FAIR USE OF UNPUBLISHED RESEARCH
Copyright © 2013 by Raudhah Binti Abu Hanifah. All rights reserved.
THE PRESERVATION OF ENVIRONMENT IN ISLAMIC
JURISPRUDENCE: A CASE STUDY OF AWARENESS AMONG IIUM
STUDENTS
No part of this unpublished research may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder except
as provided below.
1. Any material contained in or derived from this unpublished research
may only be used by others in their writing with due
acknowledgement.
2. IIUM or its library will have the right to make and transmit copies
(print or electronic) for institutional and academic purposes.
3. The IIUM library will have the right to make, store in a retrieval
system and supply copies of this unpublished research if requested
by other universities and research libraries.
Affirmed by Raudhah Binti Abu Hanifah.
…………………………… …………………
Signature Date
vii
Dedicated to
My beloved parents Abu Hanifah Bin Mat Dom and
Nortifah Binti Mohd Ali.
My sisters and brothers.
“May Allah bless and reward them”
viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Alhamdulillah, praise be to Allah and may peace and blessings be upon Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and all of his companions. First and
foremost, praise be to Allah with the greatest help and mercy from Him, for bestowing
upon me such patience and strength to complete this dissertation writing.
I feel indebted to my supervisor Associate Professor Dr. Anke Iman Bouzenita
for her insightful guidance, support, intuitive comments and limitless patience given
to me from the start until the completion of this research. All my lecturers who have
taught me through out my master’s degree. My appreciation also goes to all IIUM
students who have contributed as respondents of the questionnaire of this study.
I would like to thank my sister Rashidah Abu Hanifah and her friends for
helping me in teaching and keying in the data survey. Last but not least, my deep
appreciation goes to my beloved father and mother Abu Hanifah Mat Dom and
Nortifah Mohd Ali, for their limitless patience and unfailing support, love, care and
continuous prayers for my successful completion of this research.
ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii
Abstract in Arabic .............................................................................................................. iii
Approval Page .................................................................................................................... iv
Declaration Page ................................................................................................................. v
Copyright Page................................................................................................................... vi
Dedication ......................................................................................................................... vii
Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... viii
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... xi
List of Abbreviation .......................................................................................................... xii
Transliteration…………………………………………………………...……….…
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1
1.1. Background of the Study ..................................................................................... 2
1.2. Statement of the Problem ..................................................................................... 2
1.3. Research Questions .............................................................................................. 3
1.4. Objectives of the Study ........................................................................................ 3
1.5. Significance and Justification of the Study .......................................................... 4
1.6. Methodology of the Study ................................................................................... 5
1.7. Literature Review................................................................................................. 7
1.8. Research Framework ......................................................................................... 11
1.9. Organization of Chapters ................................................................................... 18
CHAPTER 2: DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENT AND PRESERVATION OF
ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................................ 20
2.1. Definition of Environment ................................................................................. 20
2.2. Definition of Environment – Islamic Jurisprudence .......................................... 21
2.3. Definition of Preservation of Environment ........................................................ 24
2.4. Definition of Preservation of Environment – Islamic Jurisprudence ................. 26
CHAPTER 3: MUSLIM JURISTS THOUGHT ON THE PRESERVATION OF
THE ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................. 29
3.1. The Hydrological Environment ......................................................................... 30
3.2. The Atmospheric Environment .......................................................................... 39
3.3. The Geological Environment ............................................................................. 46
3.4. Flora And Fauna ................................................................................................ 52
xiii
x
CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ........................................................... 60
4.1. Demographic Information of Respondents ....................................................... 60
4.2. Analysis of IIUM Students’ Habitual Practices in Preserving the
Environment ...................................................................................................... 62
4.3. Analysis of IIUM Students’ Knowledge of the Preservation of Environment
According to Islamic Jurisprudence ................................................................. 74
4.4. Analysis of IIUM Students’ Awareness of the Importance of the Preservation
of the Environment ........................................................................................... 78
4.5. Analysis of IIUM Students’ Experience in Coaching Others in the
Preservation of the Environment According to Islamic Principles ................... 85
4.6. Analysis of IIUM Students’ Awareness of Environmental Projects and
Campaigns ........................................................................................................ 87
4.7. Significant Difference ........................................................................................ 91
4.8. The Discussion of Findings and Their Implications .......................................... 94
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................. 96
5.1. Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 96
5.2. Limitations and Recommendations.................................................................... 99
BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................... 102
APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE ............................................................................. 109
xi
LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Page No.
1.1 Return rate of questionnaires 16
4.1 Distribution of respondents by gender and faculty 61
4.2 Distribution of respondents by nationality and gender 62
4.3 Description of the scale measuring practices 63
4.4 Responses to water saving activities 63
4.5 Response to activities preserving the air 66
4.6 Response to activities preserving the geological environment 69
4.7 Response to activities preserving the flora and fauna environment 71
4.8 Response to the knowledge of Islamic principles relating to the
preservation of environment 74
4.9 Description of the scale of importance 78
4.10 Response to the importance of the listed activities 79
4.11 Response to the importance of these activities 82
4.12 Response to the best way of encouraging friends 85
4.13 Response to the best way of informing and advising family members 86
4.14 Response to involvement with an environmental organization 87
4.15 Names of cited environmental societies or organizations 88
4.16 Responses to the question
“Are you aware of any environmental activities?” 89
4.17 Response to known environmental projects or campaigns 90
4.18 The independent sample T-Test (t) result of level of
environmental awareness of IIUM students according to gender 91
4.19 The one-way ANOVA result of the level of environmental
involvement of IIUM students by courses 93
xii
LIST OF ABBREVIATION
% Percent
AED Architecture and Environmental Design
df degree of freedom
ed. Edited
edn. Edition
EDU Education
ENGIN Engineering
ENMS Economic and Management Sciences
Ibid. (ibidem): in the same place
ICT Information and Communication Technology
IIUM International Islamic University of Malaysia
IRKHS Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences
N Number
n.d No date
p Sig. (2-tailed)
P.B.U.H. Peace and blessing Be Upon Him
t statistical hypothesis
Trans. Translated
Std. Dev. standard deviation
vol. Volume
xiii
TRANSLITERATION
ARABIC TRANSLITERATION SCHEME
ء N ن Gh غ Sh ش Kh خ ’
بB د D ص Ø ف F و W
تT ذ Dh ض Ö ق Q ه H
ثTh ر R ط Ù ك K ي Y
جJ ز Z ظ Ú ل L
حÍ س S ع Ñ م M
Short Vowels
_َ a
_ِ i
‘_ u
Long Vowels
a َ_+ا
i ِ_+يْ
وْ_‘+ u
1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Islam is a comprehensive system of belief and practice which covers all aspects of
human life, including the way human are supposed to treat the natural environment.
The teachings are prescribed in the fundamental sources, namely the Qur’Én and the
Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). Although the Qur’Én and Sunnah contain
explicit rules on human conduct towards the natural environment to create a sound
ecological consciousness to promote in saving and preserving the environment,
pollution has become a worldwide menace threatening the existence of all earthly life.
Pollution and the resulting imbalance in the ecosystem are direct consequences of
wrongful human behaviour caused by the lack of “aesthetic education”.1
The promotion of the concept of “aesthetic education” with emphasis on the
preservation of the environment is closely related to raising awareness of the
consequences and implication of human conduct on environment. In the following
section, I will discuss the background of the study, statement of the problem, research
questions, objectives of the study, significance of the study, methodology of the study,
literature review and research framework.
1 According to Dr. Ahmad Ar-Raissouni, “aesthetic education means the whole education of the mind,
its predisposition, its gift for contemplation, all that which makes man’s attention be attracted to
everything beautiful in life and in nature, which allows him to experience emotions and a sense of
respect on seeing beauty, to enjoy it and benefit from it while watching over its preservation and its
blossoming”, “Aesthetic Education and Its Repercussions on the Preservation of Nature” in
Environmental Studies. Some Problems Analyzed from the Islamic Point of View, by Ahmad Ar-
Raissouni, Ahmad Al-Kadmiri and Farouk Hamada, (Rabat: The Islamic Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (ISESCO), 1999), 11.
2
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
A number of academic research has been done on the environment from an Islamic
perspective, some in general terms and others specifically related to Islamic
jurisprudence; there is a need, however, to assess the level of awareness these studies
have produced. For these reasons, this research focuses on examining the existing
body of knowledge while adding to it with the purpose of increasing public awareness
of the dire importance of preserving the natural environment from the Islamic legal
perspective.
The scope of this research is limited to assessing the environmental awareness
of students of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) in the form of a
case study. The necessary data are collected through a survey conducted among the
student body of the university’s Gombak campus.
1.2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This research seeks to analyze the perspectives and viewpoints of the Islamic
jurisprudence with regard to the preservation of the environment. It focuses on
examining the level of environmental awareness among IIUM students in order to
assess to what extent they are aware of the Islamic injunctions on environmental
preservation; furthermore to what extent do they actually apply these injunctions in
their daily life on campus.
3
1.3. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is the meaning of the environment from environmentalist
perspective?
2. What is the meaning of preservation of the environment from
environmentalist perspective?
3. What are the views of Muslim jurists (fuqahÉ’) on the preservation of the
environment?
4. Are IIUM students aware of the issues of environmental preservation from
an Islamic perspective?
5. If so, to what extent do IIUM students apply the concept of preservation
of the environment in their daily life on campus?
1.4. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1. To study the meaning of environment.
2. To study the meaning of preservation of the environment.
3. To examine the existing views of Muslim jurists on preserving the
environment.
4. To investigate the level of awareness of IIUM students in demonstrating
their understanding of the preservation of the environment from an
Islamic perspective.
5. To examine the implications of lacking awareness of environmental
preservation among IIUM students.
4
1.5. SIGNIFICANCE AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
The importance of this research is to instill awareness on the importance of
environmental preservation among IIUM students in particular and the public in
general. The preservation of the natural environment constitutes a basic Muslim duty.
The study assesses the current level of awareness among IIUM students with regard to
specific views of Islamic legal thought on the preservation of the environment.
Although there are several references directly related to this topic on the
preservation of the environment from the Islamic legal perspective, no study has
examined the issue in respect to the specific group of IIUM students. Given the unique
vision and mission of the International Islamic University of Malaysia which is to
create a new generation of Muslims who integrate Islamic knowledge and values with
empirical scientific knowledge as developed in the West, the environmental
consciousness of its students may serve as a mirror of modern Muslim values and
attitudes in general.
The study also serves as a means of raising environmental awareness of IIUM
students. Although a high level of awareness is expected from students who are in the
course of their studies continuously exposed to Islamic values and legal perspectives
on numerous current issues, the question is whether the importance of preserving the
environment has been sufficiently addressed and whether it has affected the students’
perception and conscious response to life.
The findings of this research may also contribute to a further clarification of
the different approaches and viewpoints which form part of the Islamic legal
understanding of the issue of environmental preservation.
5
1.6. METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY
This research adopts both qualitative and quantitative methods.
1.6.1. Library Research
The researcher uses various textual references such as monographs, conference
proceedings, and selected academic articles which reflect both traditional and modern
scientific research. The consulted Islamic references consist of primary sources of the
Qur’Én and the respective Íadith compilations, in addition to authoritative works on
Islamic jurisprudence. In terms of the secondary sources which reflect the Islamic
perspective, the researcher reviews the existent body of literature related to the topic
available in the English, Arabic, and Malay languages. A number of distinctively
current references related to the environment as such and its preservation in particular
are mostly consulted for the definition of relevant terms. The following methods are
employed:
i. Analytical method:
This research draws upon a number of relevant passages of the Qur’Én
and reported sayings and practices of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) in
addition to selected legal principles and rulings based on juridical
consensus (ijmÉ’) and juridical analogy (qiyÉs) on the preservation of the
environment. Also taken into consideration are the views of contemporary
Muslim jurists like YËsuf al-QaraÌawÊ, Ibrahim Ozdemir and Mu’il Yusuf
ÑIzz al-Din. Based on the content of the aforementioned textual sources,
the problem of environmental pollution and its consequences are analyzed
6
and solutions are addressed as approaches and methods used to preserve
the environment.
ii. Descriptive method:
This method is used to describe and explain the ways in which Qur’anic
injunctions, the normative practices of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.)
and the exemplary conduct of his Companions (ÎaÍÉbah) can be adhered
to and emulated in contemporary society with respect to preserving the
natural environment.
iii. Comparative and Analytic method:
This method is used to assess and compare the existing differences IIUM
students demonstrate in terms of factual knowledge, comprehension,
application, and level of awareness with regard to the issue associated
with environmental preservation. The surveyed students major in different
fields of study and are of mixed gender so differences are expected to
surface.
1.6.2. Field Work or Survey Research
This aspect is discussed under “Research Framework” of the case study on IIUM
students at the Gombak campus on page 12.
7
1.7. LITERATURE REVIEW
There are several references relevant to this topic of research. A useful point of
departure constitutes The Environmental Dimensions of Islam by Mu’il Yusuf ÑIzz al-
Din2 who stresses that preservation of the environment in Islam is both an ethical and
a religious imperative which should be backed with legislation and effective
enforcement of environmental laws. ÑIzz al-Din offers an array of quotations from the
Qur’Én and promotes Islamic law as a universal law which harmonizes the diverse
dimension of human creations within the notion of submission to Allah Almighty;
environmental protection being one of its primary objectives.
ÑIzz al-Din also asserts that the legal principle of public interest (maÎlaÍa)
ought to serve as a guideline for environmental legislation and thus represents an
effective method that can be employed by Muslim jurists. However, he cautions that
the notion of public interest needs to be carefully assessed in order to locate the actual
priorities of individuals, groups or countries. Noteworthy is his interpretation of
environmentalism as an important part of man’s search for happiness and for the
meaning of existence which is relevant to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Another interesting work on environmental is made by ÑAbdullah bin ÑUmar
bin MuÍammad Al-SaÍaibÉnÊ entitled AÍkÉm al-BÊ’ah fÊ al-Fiqh al-IslÉmÊ (Rulings on
the Environment in Islamic Jurisprudence)3 in which he addresses the issue of
environmental preservation from a purely juridical perspective. He divides the natural
environment into four types, namely hydrological (water), atmospheric (air),
geological (earth), and flora and fauna (biological). He discusses each type of
2 ‘Izz al-Din, Mu’il Yusuf, The Environmental Dimensions of Islam, (Cambridge: Lutterworth Press,
2000). 3 Al-SaÍÊbÉnÊ, ÑAbdullah bin MuÍammad, AÍkÉm al-BÊ‘ah fÊ al-Fiqh al-IslÉmÊ, (al-RiyÉÌ: DÉr Ibn al-
JawzÊ, 2008).
8
environment in terms of its natural conditions, its pollutants, as well as the methods of
conservation and offers juridical reasoning when solving novel problems which
correspond to the already established rulings and opinions of authoritative Muslim
jurists.
In his QanËn ×imÉyah al-BÊ’ah al-IslÉmÊ MuqÉranan bi al-QawÉnÊn al-
WaÌÑÊyah (Islamic Law on the Protection of the Environment: A Comparative Study of
Existing Laws) 4
, AÍmad ÑAbd Al-KarÊm Salaman discusses the principles of the
SharÊÑah on environmental conservation focusing on the hydrological, geological, and
atmospheric environment. He emphasizes the legal principles underlying the
preservation of every type of the environment based on the verses from the Qur’Én,
prophetic traditions (ÍadÊth) and the established objectives of the SharÊÑah (maqÉÎid
al-sharÊÑah).
A further noteworthy contribution has been made in the form of a paper
presented at the International Conference on Islamic Jurisprudence and the Challenges
of the 21st Century, MaqÉÎid al-SharÊÑah and its Realization in Contemporary Societies
entitled “The Objectives of the SharÊÑah in the Protection of the Environment” by
Muhammad Ridwaan Gallant.5
Gallant argues that today’s corruption of the
environment is the result of unchecked industrialization which ultimately results in its
destruction. For him, the Islamic guidelines established fourteen hundred years ago
could if effectively implemented protect the environment and thus encourage
Muslims to face the challenges of the 21st century.
4 Ahmad ÑAbd al-KarÊm Salaman, QanËn ×imÉyah al-BÊ‘ah al-IslÉmÊ MuqÉranÉn bi al-QawÉnÊn al-
WaÌÑÊyyah, (al-QÉhirah: Ahmad ÑAbd al-KarÊm Salaman, 1996). 5 Muhammad Ridwaan Gallant, “The Objective (MaqÉÎid) of the SharÊÑah in the Protection of the
Environment”, at the International Conference on Islamic Jurisprudence and the Challenges of the 21st
Century: MaqÉÎid al-SharÊÑah and its Realization in Contemporary Societies, (IIUM, 2006), vol.3.
9
Another relevant paper presented at the same conference is by Farida Zouzou
entitled “MaqÎad ×ifÐ al-BÊ’ah wa Atharuhu fÊ ÑAmaliyat al-IstikhlÉf” (Objective of
Preserving the Environment and its Effect on the Practice of succession)6 which offers
a different yet more philosophical approach to the topic, in which it focuses on the
objectives of the SharÊÑah in preserving the environment.
Another contemporary source of reference is MawsËÑat al-Fiqh al-IslÉmÊ al-
MuÑÉÎir (The Compendium of Contemporary Islamic Fiqh) edited by Wahbah al-
ZuÍaylÊ7 which contains a section on environmental preservation. Its main argument is
that the importance of cleanliness as emphasized in Islamic law applies not only to an
individual’s personal environment but to all aspects of life including the environment.
As such, Islam is anathema to any form of pollution, be it moral or physical.
YËsuf al-QaraÌawÊ’s RiÑÉyat al-BÊ’ah fi SharÊÑah al-IslÉm (Environmental
Protection in Islamic Law)8 contains a section on Fiqh and environmental protection
which also approaches the issue of the conservation of the environment from a
juridical perspective based on the ritual prescription of cleanliness (tahÉrah).
Sulaiman Kadikon’s article, “The Perception of Environmental Awareness
based on the Principle of Islam Hadhari of Malaysia”9 argues that although the level
of awareness of the importance of the protection of the environment is considerably
high in Malaysia, it still lacks practical implementation. Kadikon looks into the local
Muslims’ perceptions on recycling, domestic waste disposal, and water usage in order
6 Faridah Zouzou, “MaqÎad ×ifÐ al-BÊ’ah wa AthÉruhu fÊ ÑAmaliyyat al-IstikhlÉf”, at the International
Conference on Islamic Jurisprudence and the Challenges of the 21st Century: MaqÉÎid al-SharÊÑah and
its Realization in Contemporary Societies, (IIUM, 2006), vol.2. 7 Wahbah al-ZuÍaylÊ, ×imÉyah al-BÊ´ah fÊ al-SharÊÑah al-IslÉmÊyyah, in MawsËÑah al-Fiqh al-IslÉmÊ al-
MuÑÉÎir, (Dimashq: Dar al-MaktabÊ, 2007), Vol. 6, pp. 219-263. 8 YËsuf al-QaraÌawÊ, RiÑÉyat al-BÊ‘ah fÊ SharÊÑah al-IslÉm, (al-QÉhirah: DÉr al-ShurËq, 1
st edn., 2001).
9 Sulaiman Kalidon, The Perception of Environmental Awareness based on the Principle of Islam
Hadhari of Malaysia (n.d.), http://www.geocities.com/[email protected]/,
(accessed 6 September 2009).
10
to assess their level of environmental awareness and its relevance to Islamic ethics and
culture. For Kadikon, the characteristics of the framework of environment in Islamic
thought include the divine origin of all creations, constancy (thabÉt),
comprehensiveness (shumËl), balance (tawÉzun) and practicality and realism
(waqÑÊyah).
Ibrahim Ozdemir wrote an article entitled “Towards an Understanding of
Environmental Ethics from a Qur’anic Perspective”10
in which he asserts that
according to the prevalent secular scientific worldview, nature constitutes merely of a
machine or an artificial entity having no intrinsic value or higher purpose. This
mechanical view of nature has been challenged by environmentalists who argue that
there is a direct causal relationship between environmental problems and modern
understanding of nature. According to him, the divine message of the Qur’Én rejects
the notion that nature in itself is meaningless and purposeless and affirms the divine
purpose and meaning of all creations as well as man’s relation with them and conduct
towards them. Humanity is entrusted to organize human life in such a way as to
achieve and sustain justice and balance on earth through harnessing and utilizing of
natural resources yet without ruthlessly exploiting nature or destroying its balance.
Finally, Al-Balagh Foundation in Iran issued a monograph entitled
Environmental Protection in Islamic SharÊÑah to explore the various ways and means
of protecting the environment while proposing a number of strategies supported by
textual evidences from the Qur’Én and ÍadÊth.
10
Ibrahim Ozdemir, “Towards an Understanding of Environmental Ethics from a Qur’anic
Perspective” (n.d.), via pdf, http://www.ibrahimozdemir.com/Makaleler/EnvironmentalEthics.pdf,
(accessed 6 September 2009).
11
1.8. RESEARCH FRAMEWORK
The study’s findings are based on data collected through a questionnaire distributed to
IIUM student population in Gombak. The respondents were both female and male
students attending various academic programmes at the IIUM Gombak campus. The
selection of population, sampling technique, and data analysis of the study followed
the procedures as specified below.
1.8.1. Hypotheses
1. Female students are more aware of environmental issues and more
involved in activities related to preserving the environment than do their
male counterparts.
2. Students enrolled in Islamic studies and Design programmes are more
aware of environmental issues and more involved in activities related to
preserving the environment than others.
1.8.2. Objectives of the Research
1. Determine the level of awareness among IIUM students about the
preservation of environment in Islamic legal thought and practice.
2. Identify to what extent the Islamic principles and rules of conduct in
support of environmental preservation are applied in students’ day-to-day
activities or practices.