CONSUMPTIVE LIFESTYLE AS AN ECOLOGICAL THREAT: AN ANALYSIS OF QUR'ANIC VERSES ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Abstract

The ecological crisis facing the modern world is becoming increasingly alarming, one of the causes being an excessive consumerist lifestyle. From an Islamic perspective, such consumptive behavior aligns with the concept of isrāf, which is morally and spiritually prohibited in the Qur’an. This study aims to examine the relationship between a consumptive lifestyle and environmental degradation through a thematic interpretation (tafsir maudhū‘ī) of verses containing the concepts of isrāf and fasād. The method used is a literature review with qualitative analysis of Qur’anic verses and the interpretations of both classical and contemporary exegetes. The findings show that a consumptive lifestyle is a clear manifestation of isrāf, which directly contributes to fasād or ecological destruction. As a solution, Islamic ecological ethics offer three key principles: tawḥīd (awareness that nature belongs to Allah), mīzān (balance), and khalīfah (human responsibility as stewards of the earth). These three principles form a normative framework for developing a lifestyle that is moderate, sustainable, and aligned with divine values. This study underscores the urgency of integrating revealed values in responding to today’s environmental crisis.