ISLAMIC ETHICS ON PREVENTING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: QURANIC STEWARDSHIP (AMANAH) AND THE PRINCIPLE OF PREVENTING HARM IN SOCIETY.

Abstract

Environmental pollution poses a growing threat to human dignity, public health, and ecological balance. Islamic ethics provides a comprehensive moral framework for confronting this challenge, grounded in accountability to the Creator and responsibility toward creation. This paper examines how Qur’anic stewardship known as ‘khilāfah’ informs ethical behavior in modern societies, and how the Qur’an’s moral principles can translate into practical strategies for preventing pollution. Central to the discussion is the Qur’anic worldview that regards the natural world as a “trust”, ‘amānah’ rather than an object of unlimited exploitation. Human beings are accountable for actions that damage air, water, and land, and for choices that harm living beings and future generations. The study also highlights the ethical significance of preventing harm, a principle that resonates across Islamic jurisprudence and ethics. By emphasizing prevention over repair, the paper argues that society must prioritize measures that stop pollution at its sources, including waste generation, industrial emissions, improper disposal, and irresponsible consumption. The paper further explores how Qur’anic guidance nurtures a culture of restraint, justice, and moderation, thereby challenging harmful patterns of production and consumption. It considers the role of moral education, communal responsibility, and institutional governance in creating environmental policies consistent with Islamic ethics. The research concludes that integrating Qur’anic stewardship with the principle of preventing harm can motivate sustainable practices, strengthen ethical accountability, and provide a values-based foundation for environmental protection in contemporary settings.