WEEK 2 - Islam & Sustainable Development

At its core, Islam emphasizes the importance of care and responsibility towards the environment and society. Not only that, Islam also touches on the economic aspect by encouraging economic development in a way that is allowed instead of a way that are prohibited. To make it easier to understand, I will try to explain it based on what we learnt in the class this week.

First, Islam places great emphasis on environmental sustainability. Islamic teachings advocate moderation in the use of natural resources and prohibit waste. This is in line with what Allah swt has said in the Quran, "Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful" (Al-A'raf 7:31). Islam also advocates the protection of biological diversity. It recognizes that each species serves a unique role in maintaining ecological balance and that its loss can have a negative impact on the environment. Protecting biodiversity can be done in many ways, including habitat protection, extinction prevention and encouraging practices that can maintain natural ecosystems.

Second, Islam and social sustainability are interconnected through principles that emphasize community well-being, justice and ethical care. In Islam, the concept of social sustainability is based on the Ummah or community, which encourages social cohesiveness and mutual support. Furthermore, Islam also encourages their people the acts of charity (zakat), compassion, and equitable distribution of resources in order to foster a sense of responsibility for the needy and less fortunate.

Lastly, Islam promotes good development, not only socially but also economically. Allah swt has said in the Quran, "That is so because Allah will never change a grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their ownselves. Surely Allah is All-Hearing and All-Knowing" ( Al-Anfal 8:53). Economics in Islam focuses on the concepts of halal (permitted) and haram (forbidden) transactions, which guide Muslims towards ethical business practices and prohibit exploitative activities such as riba (usury). Plus, as discussed above, Islam requires every Muslim to pay zakat. This duty is not only aimed at helping the needy but also can help reduce poverty and reduce the economic gap in our society.