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Islamic environmental ethics

Riham R. Rizk (Durham Business School, Durham University, Durham, UK)

Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research

ISSN: 1759-0817

Article publication date: 2 September 2014

2650

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to elaborate and discuss key Islamic principles of relevance to environmental ethics and sustainability agendas and reflect on implications for the operations of Islamic financial institutions (IFIs).

Design/methodology/approach

An exploration of the tenets of environmental sustainability enshrined in Islamic Shariah through a review of key Islamic texts and relevant prior literature.

Findings

The Islamic approach to the environment is holistic and unequivocal. Qur’anic verses describing nature and natural phenomena outnumber verses dealing with commandments and sacraments. Centrality of the environment in the Shari’ah and the Islamic injunction to command right and forbid wrong are suggestive of an affirmative sustainability agenda for IFIs.

Practical implications

Implications and opportunities for corporate managers, environmental movements and policy makers.

Originality/value

By encouraging Muslim engagement in Ijtihad, this work contributes to conceptual development within Islam. It will also be of value to accountability and ecology researchers seeking a better understanding of ecological practices and the internal histories of religions.

Keywords

Citation

R. Rizk, R. (2014), "Islamic environmental ethics", Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, Vol. 5 No. 2, pp. 194-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIABR-09-2012-0060

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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