Contextualising fasad for environmental stewardship: Islam Spirituality and the Hierarchy of Values in Contemporary Eco-Theology

The present study addresses the pressing ecological crisis by re-examining the Quranic concept of fasād (corruption). The argument is made that Islamic spirituality provides essential ethical principles for environmental stewardship. The study poses three fundamental questions to guide its investigation. The following questions must be addressed: firstly, what is the contextual meaning of fasād, and how does it relate to claims of doing good in an ecological context? The categorisation of environmental destruction as ecological kufr is a subject that merits closer examination. Thirdly, the question must be posed: what is the capacity of Saeed’s method to reveal the moral and spiritual imperatives of the verse for ecological awareness? As a qualitative library study, this research employs a contextual thematic exegesis method. The primary data source for this study is Al-Baqarah: 11–12, with additional analysis drawn from classical and contemporary exegeses. The data analysis process is comprised of three stages: reduction, presentation, and application of Saeed’s framework to bridge historical and modern contexts. The present study makes a novel contribution through its demonstration that fasād encompasses severe ecological damage, which can be interpreted as ecologically kufr (ingratitude for divine blessings). Moreover, the study demonstrates that Saeed’s hierarchy of values serves as a foundational framework for ecological ethics, drawing upon the Quran’s fundamental principles of justice, balance, and stewardship (khilāfah). It is recommended that future studies be conducted to empirically test these interpretations within specific sociopolitical contexts, such as policymaking or community practices. In addition, a comparison of Saeed’s approach with other contemporary hermeneutical models is recommended to expand the analysis and enhance comprehension.