Week 2: Islamic Sustainable Development

In this week, we are going to discuss about:

• The general concept of sustainable development in Islam
• Islam and Social Sustainability
• Islam and Environmental Sustainability
• Islam and Economic Sustainability

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What is the concept of sustainable development in Islam? "It is the balanced and simultaneous realization of consumer welfare, economic efficiency, attainment of social justice, and ecological balance in the framework of a evolutionary knowledge-based, socially interactive model of defining the shuratic process."

This explains that the concept of sustainable development in Islam emphasizes achieving a balance between various important aspects of life which focuses on:

1. Consumer Welfare: Making sure that people's needs and well-being are met.

2. Economic Efficiency: Using resources wisely to promote economic growth and prosperity.

3. Social Justice: Ensuring fairness and equality in society, so everyone has access to new opportunities.

4. Ecological Balance: Protecting the environment and maintaining harmony with nature.

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Fundamental of Islam and Development involves us maintaining good relationship with Allah, fellow human being and our surrounding. 

What does it mean to maintain good relationship with:

• Allah

Having a good relationship with Allah means developing a deep connection based on faith, trust, and devotion. In order to achieve that, we trust in Allah's existence and power, fulfill the requirement of our prayers to worship Allah, and being happy and content with His blessings.

• Fellow human beings

As much as maintaining relationship with the Creator is important, it is highlighted in this week's class that being concerned with fellow human beings too plays a crucial role in our life to achieve sustainability. One of the easiest way is to greet anyone with smile, smile and sejahtera. Sejahtera in this context means du'a which means we secretly pray for them to be blessed by Allah. It was discussed in the class that making du'a especially secretly is more advantageous because it often reflects on our sincerity and intimacy with our Creator.

• Surroundings

 Not just we concern with humans but also the nature around us. It is important that we preserve our nature by the easiest way such as saving water. Water can be saved by using it wisely by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and turning off the tap while brushing our teeth.

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Islam and Social Sustainability: What can be summarised from the lecture is that Islam teaches that humans are caretakers (khalifah) of the Earth, guiding us to make decisions together (shura) and be trustworthy (amanah) in leading society. The pillars of Islam and beliefs in Allah, along with personal and community duties, help build a fair and caring community for all (rahmatan lil alamin).

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Islam and Environmental Sustainability: Islam stresses using natural resources responsibly without causing harm, treating conservation as a duty to God. Everyone has a right to resources like water and land, but must use them wisely. Islam discourages wasting resources, especially water, and encourages planting trees as a good deed that helps the environment.

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Islam and Economic Sustainability: Islam teaches a balance between spiritual and material life, promoting moderation in consumption. Wealth is shared through zakat, sadaqah, and waqaf to support the needy, and the ban on interest (riba) ensures fairness. Proper inheritance (tarkah) helps pass down wealth fairly across generations, ensuring long-term economic stability.

Learned something? May this bring value to all. See you!