Ad-dawl : Jurnal Islamic Studies
Ad-dawl Vol. 2 No. 1 (Januari - Juni 2026)

Ecological Hermeneutics in Thabathaba’i’s Tafsir: the Relevance of The Caliphate Concept to the Contemporary Environmental Crisis

Siti Rohmah (Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten)
Ahmad Mumtazul Faqih (Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten)
Yusroh Yusroh (Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten)
Nadia Nurpadilah (Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten)
Khoirul Ropik Sidik (Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten)
Andi Rosa (Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten)



Article Info

Publish Date
10 Jan 2026

Abstract

The global environmental crisis demands a renewed interpretation of religious moral sources, including the Qur’an, as a foundation for ecological ethics. This study explores the hermeneutical thought of Muḥammad Ḥusain Thabathaba’i in al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an to examine the relevance of the Qur’anic concept of khalifah (vicegerent) in addressing contemporary ecological challenges. Methodologically, this research employs a qualitative, library-based approach with an ecological hermeneutic analysis that integrates Qur’anic self-interpretation (tafsir bi al-Qur’an), Sadrian rational philosophy, and modern environmental awareness. The findings reveal that in Thabathaba’i’s framework, humankind as khalifah is not an absolute ruler over nature but a guardian of cosmic balance, subject to divine law. His interpretation of verses such as Q.S. al-Baqarah [2]: 30, al-Rum [30]: 41, and al-A‘raf [7]: 56 indicates that environmental degradation stems from humanity’s deviation from its primordial role as God’s trustee. Therefore, Thabathaba’i’s hermeneutics can serve as a conceptual foundation for developing an Islamic environmental ethics grounded in spirituality and moral responsibility. This research contributes to Qur’anic studies by expanding the scope of Qur’anic hermeneutics toward ecological praxis, enriching Islamic eco-theology discourses, and offering an alternative epistemic response to the current global ecological crisis.

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Journal Info

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ad-dawl

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Subject

Description

Ad-dawl is an academic journal dedicated to the scholarly exploration of various aspects of Islam. The journal provides a platform for researchers, academics and practitioners to publish original research and reviews on topics such as Islamic thought, law, history, culture, Islamic education and ...