Environmental Sustainability: Worldview, Philosophy and Teachings

Abstract

Economic choices influenced by animalistic instincts in an ethically neutral framework have not only resulted in huge disparities in distribution of income, wealth and standards of living, but, as we now realise, they have also resulted in an unprecedented loss to ecology and environment with catastrophic consequences for future generations. More than ever, economics as a discipline of knowledge needs an ethical base in order to rekindle a spiritual rationality that can enable us to take into account equity considerations more explicitly in economic choices, both at the individual and at the societal level. This paper explains how Islamic economics can help in bridging the gap. The paper explains the teachings of Islam on different environmental issues and shows how the Islamic worldview can help to encourage and reinforce environmentally friendly behaviour and choices.