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.

iii

.

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/wanadli@ymail.com/,

(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.