Islamic ecological piety in the Lubuk Larangan tradition: Religious responsibility, customary rules, and social welfare

In the Lubuk Larangan tradition, communities temporarily close sections of a river to fishing before reopening them for communal harvesting. Reopening brings decisions about who can fish and how the proceeds should be used. Previous studies have examined customary rules and community welfare, while Islamic environmental ethics emphasizes stewardship and accountability. This study explores how these concerns shape Islamic ecological piety at Lubuk Larangan Anak Yatim in Tambangan Jae, Mandailing Natal, Indonesia. Drawing on a qualitative case study, the researchers interviewed 12 purposively selected participants and examined field observations and documents. Religious leaders described river protection as a trust (amānah) and a duty of human stewardship (khalīfah). Customary rules, community monitoring, and stories about sacred fish also gave the prohibition on fishing moral significance. When the river reopened, communal harvesting generated proceeds reportedly directed toward orphans and elderly residents. At Tambangan Jae, responsibility for the river continues when fishing resumes, as residents also face decisions about how to share its benefits. Further research could follow successive harvests to examine how residents observe the rules, how proceeds are distributed, and how river conditions change.