The Status of the Environment in Islamic Jurisprudence

The environment, as a precious asset and a divine trust, plays a vital role in the continuity of human life and the health of society. From the perspective of Islamic Sharia, environmental protection is not merely a moral virtue but a religious and social obligation; neglecting it entails irreparable consequences for the individual, society, and future generations. The pollution of natural resources—such as air, water, and soil—not only threatens human health but also disrupts social, economic, and cultural systems. Adopting a jurisprudential and legal approach, this article examines the foundations of environmental pollution prevention within Islamic jurisprudence and elucidates its legal status. The primary sources of the research include verses from the Holy Quran, Prophetic traditions, narrations from the Infallibles, the consensus of jurists, and significant jurisprudential principles—such as the rule of *La Darar wa La Dirar* (no harm and no harassment), the preservation of public interests and the prevention of harm, and the concepts of collective (*kifa'i*) and individual (*ayni*) obligations. An analysis of the evidence demonstrates that Islamic jurisprudence not only opposes all forms of environmental pollution but also deems the observance of the rights of present and future generations—along with the equitable utilization of natural resources—to be a religious obligation. The duty to prevent pollution applies both as an individual obligation incumbent upon every person and as a collective obligation incumbent upon society; furthermore, the role of educational, executive, and religious institutions is essential to the fulfillment of this mandate. Reinterpreting environmental jurisprudence and aligning traditional teachings with contemporary environmental challenges will pave the way for developing preventive policies and guiding Islamic society toward sustainability and environmental justice. Ultimately, this article demonstrates that environmental jurisprudence can play a strategic role in fostering an environmental culture, mitigating human-induced harm, and protecting divine gifts.

کلیدواژه ها:

environment ، Islamic jurisprudence ، jurisprudential discourse ، prevention ، pollution