The Sacred Earth: Discourse Formation and Environmental Ethics in Modern Shia Islamic Thought

In recent years, environmental discourse has gained hegemonic status across societies, prompting various intellectual traditions to reinterpret their relationship with nature. In Iran, Shia religious thought has contributed to this dialogue by offering distinct theological perspectives on environmental ethics. This study employs discourse analysis to examine how two prominent Shia scholars—Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Mostafa Mohaghegh Damad—articulate the concept of the environment within Islamic frameworks. Using Laclau and Mouffe's theory of discourse, the research identifies key nodal points such as sanctity, order, ethics, and tradition in their works, revealing how these concepts are mobilized to reconstruct the meaning of nature and challenge secular and modernist paradigms. The study finds that while Nasr emphasizes metaphysical and spiritual dimensions rooted in traditional sciences, Mohaghegh Damad provides a jurisprudential framework based on Islamic law to guide environmental conduct. Both scholars reinterpret the environment as a sacred entity, opposing its reduction to a material or utilitarian resource. The analysis suggests that contemporary Shia religious discourse engages critically with modernity and aligns with certain postmodern critiques, yet retains a commitment to transcendent truths. Thus, it offers an alternative epistemology for environmental action rooted in local, theological traditions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Religious Discourse ، Environmental ethics ، Seyyed Hossein Nasr ، Mostafa Mohaghegh Damad ، Shia theology