SEJ 401 Sustainable Development: Islamic Perspective
This course explores sustainable development through the lens of Islamic ethics, principles, and civilizational experience. Students examine how Islamic teachings—rooted in stewardship (khilāfah), balance (mīzān), public welfare (maṣlaḥah), and the higher objectives of the Sharīʿah (maqāṣid)—provide a holistic framework for addressing modern environmental, economic, and social challenges. The course analyzes global sustainable development debates, including climate change, equitable resource use, poverty alleviation, and environmental governance, and compares them with Islamic approaches to justice, ecological integrity, and human flourishing. Through case studies, contemporary issues, and interdisciplinary perspectives, students explore how Islamic values can inform sustainable policy, community development, and ethical decision-making in today’s interconnected world.
Learning Outcomes
Explain foundational Islamic principles related to sustainability, stewardship, equity, and ecological balance.
Analyze global sustainable development frameworks, including the UN SDGs, from an Islamic ethical perspective.
Assess environmental, economic, and social challenges through Islamic teachings and historical examples.
Evaluate contemporary sustainability initiatives in Muslim-majority and minority contexts.
Apply Islamic principles to real-world policy-making, community development, and ecological decision-making.
Critically reflect on the intersections of environmental justice, economic welfare, and social equity within Islamic thought.