Ali Yafie’s Environmental Fiqh: The Contribution of Nusantara Ulama Thought in Responding to Indonesia’s Ecological Crisis

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the construction of environmental fiqh pioneered by Ali Yafie from ontological, epistemological, and axiological perspectives, and how it is relevant to addressing the complex ecological issues in Indonesia. This study is a qualitative research based on a library research using a descriptive-analytical approach and content analysis to examine systematically the conceptual framework developed by Ali Yafie. The results of the study indicate that, ontologically, Yafie views the environment as an integral part of human life, and thus its existence must be preserved. Epistemologically, Yafie reconstructs the framework of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah from the ḍarūriyyāt al-khams to the ḍarūriyyāt al-sittah by adding ḥifẓ al-bī’ah (environmental protection), thus showing that protecting the environment is a primary need for everyone. Axiologically, Yafie formulates fundamental principles that are important guidelines for every human being in protecting the environment, such as prioritizing hifz al-nafs, limiting consumption (ḥadd al-kifāyah), maintaining ecosystem balance, and recognizing that all creatures are noble (muḥtaram). These findings indicate that environmental fiqh is a revolutionary concept that combines normative principles with practical legal systems, thus giving rise to the legal ruling that preserving environmental sustainability is a fard kifāyah (collective responsibility). Thus, the environmental fiqh formulated by Yafie is highly relevant to environmental conservation efforts in Indonesia.