Sustainable lifestyle within the Islamic framework: a case of Malaysia

Purpose The main objective of the present study is to investigate the influence of Islamic goals (i.e. the preservation of religion, life, intellect, progeny and wealth), known as Maqasid Shariah, on the sustainable lifestyles of people in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach Drawing upon the integration of Maqasid Shariah and the value-belief-norm theory, this study conducted a national survey ( N = 682) and in-depth interviews ( N = 18) with key Islamic leaders, environmental non-governmental organizations and Malaysian citizens. Findings Our findings show three out of the five Shariah goals, namely preserving religion, life, intellect, progeny and wealth, have a significant impact on a sustainable lifestyle in Malaysia. This suggests that the emphasis should be given to enriching Malaysian’s understanding on the connection between preserving religion and progeny to sustainable lifestyle. Our results from in-depth interviews further reinforce the importance of Maqasid Shariah as a guide for sustainable lifestyle and the crucial role of education in promoting the values. Practical implications This study highlights the role of education in promoting the Maqasid Shariah to foster sustainable lifestyles and provides policymakers with valuable insights for crafting policies related to sustainable living. Originality/value This study contributes to the development of the field of Islam and sustainability in Malaysia, which has received less attention in research.