Reconstruction of Environmental Fiqh Thought, Muhammadiyah Scholars' Response to the Modern Ecological Crisis

Abstract

This study aims to explore the reconstruction of environmental Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh al-bi’ah) within the Muhammadiyah movement as a religious response to contemporary ecological crises by examining its epistemological foundations, normative constructs, and practical implementation within social contexts. A qualitative research method was employed because it enables an in-depth investigation of meaning, interpretative dynamics, and the reasoning processes of scholars dimensions that cannot be adequately represented through numerical data. The study adopts an interpretive case study design based on the consideration that reconstructing Muhammadiyah’s environmental jurisprudence requires a comprehensive reading of institutional contexts, religious documents, and the lived experiences of actors involved in the process. The research was conducted at Muhammadiyah’s Central Office in Yogyakarta, an appropriate setting as it serves as the organizational center for fatwa formulation and tarjih development. Five purposively selected informants participated in this study, each chosen for their expertise and direct engagement in environmental issues, including scholars of tarjih, academics, environmental activists, and community leaders. The findings reveal that Muhammadiyah’s reconstruction of environmental jurisprudence emerges through integrating contemporary maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, socio-ecological analysis, and Islamic spirituality, which are further operationalized in various environmental programs. The study recommends strengthening the epistemological framework, expanding environmental advocacy, and developing future research grounded in community-based environmental practices.