WEEK 3: MAQASID SYARIAH AND SDGs

Date: 18 March 2025

Course: SCSH1201-Sustainable Development: Issues, Principles and Practices

Section: 4

     During Week 3, I was introduced to the foundational concepts of sustainability from the Islamic worldview, particularly through the Maqasid al-Shariah framework. This topic resonated deeply with me because it links my faith with responsibility towards the environment and society.

     As an IIUM student, I felt proud and spiritually connected when learning that Islamic teachings have always emphasized the protection of five essentials: life, intellect, faith, lineage, and wealth. These core elements are directly aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which shows how timeless and universal Islamic principles are.

     One key realization I had was the idea that development in Islam is endogenously sustainable. For example, protecting life includes safeguarding the environment, health, and peaceful living conditions. As a vicegerent (khalifah) of Allah on earth, I am responsible for ensuring my actions do not harm the future generation.

     I reflected on how I live my daily life at IIUM. Whether I waste food, water, or paper. Whether I care for others, how I strive for balance in my intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development. I began to see sustainability not only as a matter of physical resources but also moral and ethical behavior.

     This week made me realise that faith is not separate from sustainability. It is in fact the foundation for responsible, compassionate, and meaningful development.