Maqasid daruriyyah al-kulliyah (universal essential objectives) in the preservation of nature

Abstract

Islam is a harmonious religion that preserves universal significances in all aspects of human life. Islamic law (Shariah) that is based on two major sources namely, the Holy Quran and the prophetic traditions (Sunnah) aims to preserve maslahah (goodness) and avoid the mudarrah (harm). In order to achieve the true meaning of Islam, a comprehensive understanding on any contemporary issues needs to cover all aspects of life and must be perceived from Islamic weltanschauung. This study uses inductive, deductive and comparative methods. The issues of pollution and natural disasters resulted from human actions and errors provide an indication the need to understand the obligations of preserving nature in the paradigm of maqasid al-shariah (objectives of Islamic law). This study has found that arūrah kulliyah (universal essential or necessity) in the context of maqasid al-daruriyyah (objectives of essentials) as an important indicator for awareness of environmental preservation.