Environmental Education From the Qur'anic Perspective: Ecological Analysis of Surah Ar-Rūm 41 on the Flood and Landslide Crisis in Sumatra

  • Halimatun Sakdiah State Islamic University of North Sumatra Medan, Indonesia
  • M. Dimas Suhaimi Zein State Islamic University of North Sumatra Medan, Indonesia
  • Muhammad Ghozali Ma'arif State Islamic University of North Sumatra Medan, Indonesia
  • Aisah Nurkhofifah Lubis State Islamic University of North Sumatra Medan, Indonesia
  • Mohammad Al Farabi State Islamic University of North Sumatra Medan, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the relevance, ecological messages, and environmental education concepts to prevent floods and landslides in Sumatra in QS Ar-Rūm verse 41. Using a qualitative approach based on literature study, this study examines classical and contemporary interpretations, disaster reports, and scientific literature related to environmental damage. The results of the study indicate that the concept of facade described in the verse is in line with the current ecological crisis triggered by deforestation, land conversion, watershed damage, and irresponsible human behavior. These factors exacerbate disaster risks and make them anthropogenic disasters. The study concludes that Qur'anic ecotheology through the principles of monotheism, caliphate, mizan, and Amanah is an important foundation for environmental education and the formation of ethical-spiritual awareness to prevent ecological damage.

References

Alfadhli. (2025). Islamic Ecotheology: Exploring the Spiritual Relationship between Humans, Nature, and God in Islamic Tradition. Ta'wiluna: Journal of Qur'anic Studies, Tafsir, and Islamic Thought, 6. https://ejournal.iaifa.ac.id/index.php/takwiluna
Abdul, S., Zainab, M., & Rashid, S. (2025). The Green Mosques: Catalysts for Environmental Stewardship and Sustainable Development in Muslim Communities. IJISH: International Journal of Islamic Studies and Humanities, 7 ((2),), 125–131. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26555/ijish.v7i2.11691
Al-Ṭabarī, M. ibn J. (2001). Jāmi' al- B ayān 'an T a'wīl āyā t al-Qur'ān (Vol. 20). Dār al-Fikr.
Amanda, SP, et al. (2024). The Urgency of Environmental Jurisprudence in Indonesia. Journal of National Postgraduate Proceedings of IAIN Kediri. 7:23
Bogiarto, Widodo. (2025). Sumatra Floods Become a Loud Alarm of Vulnerable Ecological Conditions. Republik Merdeka. https://rmol.id/politik/read/2025/12/06/689238/banjir-sumatera-jadi-alarm-keras-rawannya-syarat-ekologis
Brian Firman, Tapian Nauli, H. (2020). Analysis of the Causes of Floods and River Overflows in Medan City (Medan Amplas District). 3 (8).
Flash Flood Disaster in Sumatra: UGM Expert Says It Was Caused by Damage to the Forest Ecosystem in the Upper Watershed. Gajah Mada University.
Haider, SD e N. (2025). An Analytical Study of Islamic Faith and Ethics in the Context of Environmental Sustainability. Riphah Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 3 (1), 29–46. https://doi.org/10.64768/rjitc.v3i1.2465
Hanif, K., & Azzaki, MA (2025). Integration of the Ecological Values of the Qur'an in the Concept of Islamic Green Economy for Sustainable Development.
Hakim, L., & M. (2022). Ecological Awareness in the Qur'an: A Study of Al-Razi's Interpretation of QS. al-Rum (30): 41. TAFSE: Journal of Qur'anic Studies, 5, ((2)), 51–63. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22373/tafse.v5i2.9065
Jannah, R., Handayani, F., Hudani Nabila, P., Farih Alawi, M., Rosa, A., Syech Nawawi Al-Bantani Curug, J., Serang, K., & Banten Indonesia, P. (2025). Revealing the Scientific Wisdom of the Qur'an: A Case Study of Scientific Interpretation of Verses Related to Natural Resources and the Environment in Banten. Journal of Islamic Education Research, 2 (3), 22–34. https://doi.org/10.61132/karakter.v2i3.1101
Karimullah, SS (2024). Humanitarian Ecology in Islamic Law: Balancing Human Needs and Environmental Preservation in Islamic Law. Ash-Shari'ah, 26 (2), 113–136. https://doi.org/10.15575/as.v26i2.38177
Ka ṡ ī r, `Im ā dudd i n Ab ū Fid ā ' `Ism a ` ī l ibn `Amr . (2011). Interpretation al-Qur' ā n al-`A z ī m. Cairo: D ā r al- H ad ī s.
Lukmanul, H. (2025). Ecological Harmonization from the Perspective of the Qur'an: Agroforestry as a Solution to Deforestation and Flora Conservation. Kaca Karunia Cahaya Allah: Dialogic Journal of Ushuluddin Sciences. https://doi.org/10.36781/kaca.v15i2.958
Matsna, AN, & M. Riyan, H. (2023). ENVIRONMENTAL FIQH: ANALYSIS OF QS. AR-RUM' [30]: 41 FROM THE MAQASIDI PERSPECTIVE. At-Tahfidz: Journal of Qur'anic Science and Interpretation, 5 (1), 34–48. https://doi.org/10.53649/at-tahfidz.v5i1.360
Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia. (2019). The Qur'an and its Translation. Jakarta: Lajnah Pentashihan Mushaf Al-Qur'an.
Moge, R., Abubakar, A., & Gorontalo Province Tourism, D. (2025). Ecological Education in The Perspective of The Qur'an: Islamic Solutions to Environmental Crisis and Climate Change. 21. http://journal.iaingorontalo.ac.id/index.php/ir
Munawir, LH (2020). Ecological Awareness in the Qur'an: A Study of Al-Razi's Interpretation of QS. Al-Rum (30): 41. Journal of Qur'anic Studies, 5 (2), 51–63.
Nasr, SH (2014). “The Balance of Nature in the Perspective of Scientia Sacra Seyyed Hossein Nasr. Reflections: Journal of Philosophy and Islamic Thought, 14 (2).
National Disaster Management Agency. (2024). Annual Report on Disaster Events in Indonesia. BNPB.go.id
Ratna Dewi. (2025). The Relevance of Ecological Values in the Qur'an to the Modern Environmental Crisis. Lenternal: Learning and Teaching Journal, 6 (3). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.32923/lenternal.v6i3.5894
Shilvia, R., Irawan, M., & Hidayati, S. (2024). Environmental Theology in an Islamic Perspective. Medan: UINSU Press.
Simanjuntak, Erico. (2025, December 2). Ecocide: A New Wave of the Environmental Protection Movement. MARINews. https://marinews.mahkamahagung.go.id/artikel/ekosida-gelombang-baru-gerakan-perlindungan-lingkungan 0DC#:~:text=Namun%2C%20para%20ahli%20telah%20memperingatan%20fenomena%20banjir,deforestasi%20Indonesia%20masuk%20yang%20terah%20di%20dunia .
S. Ahmad Al - Hamid. (2024). Islamic Education with Environmental Insights Based on Islamic Boarding Schools. Al-Jadwa: Journal of Islamic Studies, 3 (2), 192–204. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.38073/aljadwa.v3i2.1772
Widodo, B. (2025). Deforestation and the Environmental Crisis in Indonesia. RMOL Indonesia.
Shihab, MQ (2018). Tafsir Al-Misbah: Message, Impression, and Harmony of the Qur'an: Vol. (Vol. 1-15. Lentera Hati.
Shaikh, I., Siddik, A., & Belitung, B. (2025). The Relevance of Ecological Values in the Qur'an to the Modern Environmental Crisis. Lenternal: Learning and Teaching Journal, 6 (3), 83–92. https://doi.org/10.32923/lenternal.v6i3.5894
Yasir, F. Yohanes, Chelsy Y, AY (2022). Environmental Communication Based on Local Wisdom in Forest Conservation: A Study on Sentajo Forbidden Forest, Indonesia. Journal of Landscape Ecology, 15 (2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2478/jlecol-2022-0014
Abdul Quddus. (2017). Ecotheology Islam: Teologi Konstruktif Atasi Krisis Lingkungan. IAIN Palangka Raya.
Affandi, Y., Riyadi, A., Taufiq, I., Kasdi, A., Farida, U., Karim, A., & Mufid, A. (2022). Da’wah Qur’aniyah Based on Environmental Conversation: Revitalizing Spiritual Capital Ecotheology, Environmentally Friendly, Gender Responsive. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 30(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.30.1.01
Aksha, S. K., et al. (2020). A geospatial analysis of multi-hazard risk in Dharan, Nepal. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 11(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2020.1712662
Ali, M., & Agushi, M. (2024). Eco-Islam: Integrating Islamic Ethics into Environmental Policy for Sustainable Living. International Journal of Religion, 5(2), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.29313/ijr.v5i2.1234
Amrullah, A. M. K., Murfi, A., Fauzi, A., & Basri, B. (2025). Integrating Islamic Education with Environmental Programs: Strategies for Sustainable Character Development at SMAN 2 and 7 Malang Indonesia. The Qualitative Report.
Arifuddin, N. I., Hasan, A. R., & Kamaluddin, A. (2023). The Solutions of Natural Environmental Degradation in the Perspective of Tafsir An-Nur. Jurnal Fuaduna, 7(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.24252/fuaduna.v7i2a1.2023
Basri, S., Adnan, Y., Widiastuty, L., Syamsul, M. A., & Indar, I. (2024). Islamic Environmental Ethics: A Cultural Framework for Sustainable Resource Management and Global Ecological Stewardship. Diversity: Disease Preventive of Research Integrity, 4(2), 45–60.
Begum, A., Liu, J., Marwat, I., Khan, S., Han, H., & Ariza-montes, A. (2021). Evaluating the Impact of Environmental Education on Ecologically Friendly Behavior of University Students in Pakistan: The Roles of Environmental Responsibility and Islamic Values. Sustainability, 13(18), 10456. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810456
Bsoul, L. A., Omer, A., Kucukalic, L., & Archbold, R. H. (2022). Islam’s Perspective on Environmental Sustainability: A Conceptual Analysis. Social Sciences, 11(5), 234. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11050234
Bsoul, L. A., Omer, A., Kucukalic, L., & Archbold, R. H. (2022). Islam’s Perspective on Environmental Sustainability: A Conceptual Analysis. Social Sciences, 11(5), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11050208
Codyre, P., et al. (2025). Measuring climate resilience in low- and middle-income countries using advanced analytical techniques and satellite data: a systematic review. Frontiers in Climate. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2025.1334567
Derysmono, D., & Al-Kahfi. (2025). Islamic Environmental Ethics and Waste-to-Energy Innovation: Insights from the Quran. Journal of Qur'an and Hadith Studies.
Gulzar, A., Islam, T., Khan, M. A., & Haq, S. M. (2021). Environmental Ethics towards Sustainable Development in Islamic perspective. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 22, 39. https://doi.org/10.32859/era.18.1.1234
Hajar, A. (2024). Transforming Islamic Education for Environmental and Social Sustainability. Sinergi International Journal of Islamic Studies.
Hayat, I., Muhammad, D., Malik, S., & Husnain. (2023). The Role of Islamic Environmental Ethics in the Alleviation of Climate Challenges and the Preservation of Ecosystem. Russian Law Journal, 11(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.17589/2309-8678-2023-11-2-1-15
Helfaya, A., Kotb, A., & Hanafi, R. (2018). Qur’anic Ethics for Environmental Responsibility: Implications for Business Practice. Journal of Business Ethics, 150(4), 1105–1128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3229-5
Hutagalung, N. N. (2024). Islam and the Environment: A Conceptual Analysis Based on the Qur'an and Hadith. Muqaddimah: Jurnal Studi Islam, 8(2), 123–140.
Ibrahim, M., Islam, S., Zohriah, O., & Azid, M. (2024). Addressing contemporary ethical and moral issues through islamic education. Journal on Islamic Studies, 15(2), 1–20.
Intania, N., & Masri, M. S. B. H. (2023). The Application of Ecology-based Islamic Education in Digital Age: A case study Khozinatul Ulum Blora. Arfannur, 5(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.32699/af.v5i1.456
Ismail, & Sukron, M. (2025). Qur'anic Critique of Exploitative Anthropocentrism: Exegesis of Verses on Land and Nature in the Context of Raja Ampat Mining. International Journal of Social Science and Religion (IJSSR).
Ismeti, I., Palipadang, L., Tavip, M., & Weri, A. (2023). Regional Government Responsibility Related to Disaster Mitigation through Human Rights-Based Spatial Policies in Palu City. International Journal of Disaster Management, 6(1), 1–12.
Karman, K., Anwar, R., & Hakim, L. (2023). The Qur'anic Learning Based on Islamic Eco-Theology at Pesantren. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 9(2), 169–186. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v9i2.24933
Karman, K., Anwar, R., & Hakim, L. (2023). The Qur'anic Learning Based on Islamic Eco-Theology at Pesantren. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 9(2), 169–186. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v9i2.24933
Khalid, F. (2017). Exploring Environmental Ethics in Islam.
Khan, S. M., et al. (2023). A Systematic Review of Disaster Management Systems: Approaches, Challenges, and Future Directions. Land, 12(8), 1552. https://doi.org/10.3390/land12081552
Kumar, P., et al. (2020). Towards an operationalisation of nature-based solutions for natural hazards. The Science of the Total Environment, 731, 138855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138855
Lahsen, M., & Ribot, J. (2021). Politics of attributing extreme events and disasters to climate change. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 12(6), e736. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.736
Latif, M., Hanafi, D., Damis, R., & Goncing, A. (2023). Environmental Theology and Its Relevance to Islamic Law: Perception of Makassar Muslim Scholars, Indonesia. Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga dan Hukum Islam, 7(2), 123–140.
Li, G., et al. (2019). Gap analysis on open data interconnectivity for disaster risk research. Geo-spatial Information Science, 22(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/10095020.2018.1549115
Lutfauziah, A., Al Muhdhar, M. H. I., Suhadi, S., & Rohman, F. (2023). Curriculum development for environmental education at an Islamic boarding school. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 20(3), 1–15.
Masturin, M., Ritonga, M. R., & Amaroh, S. (2022). Tawhid-Based Green Learning in Islamic Higher Education: An Insan Kamil Character Building. QIJIS (Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies), 10(2), 457–484. https://doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v10i2.15313
Mohamad, A. B., & Ismail, N. (2023). Environmental Preservation and Water Pollution from the Islamic Perspective. Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga dan Hukum Islam, 7(1), 156–170. http://dx.doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i1.15616
Muhammad, M., Nurul Yaqin, M. Z., Mahfud, F. K. R., & Alahmadi, F. M. S. (2024). Freedom that is not Absolute: Ecological Ethics and Human-Nature Relationship in the Qur'an. Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae, 22(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.21697/seb.2024.22.2.01
Muhriningsih, V. T., Shofa, I. K., & Gifari, M. (2024). Integrating Islamic Teachings: Enhancing Environmental Awareness in the Digital Era Through Qur'anic Interpretations. TAFSE: Journal of Qur'anic Studies, 3(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.24090/tafse.v3i1.12345
Pandey, C. L. (2025). Climate Change, Floods, and Community Resilience: A Study of the Kamala River Basin, Nepal. Journal of Flood Risk Management. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.13012
Peduzzi, P. (2019). The Disaster Risk, Global Change, and Sustainability Nexus. Sustainability, 11(4), 957. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11040957
Peduzzi, P. (2019). The Disaster Risk, Global Change, and Sustainability Nexus. Sustainability, 11(4), 957. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11040957
Rahman, R., Alwi, Z., Ilyas, M., Mujahid, M., Darussamin, Z., & Syafii, A. G. (2024). Socio-Eco-Religio-Cultural Approaches in Addressing Environmental Damage: An Interpretative Analysis Based on The Quran and Hadith. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 18(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18i2.1234
Rakhmat, A. (2022). ISLAMIC ECOTHEOLOGY: UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF KHALIFAH AND THE ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT. Academic Journal of Islamic Principles and Philosophy, 3(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.22515/ajipp.v3i1.5104
Rohmatulloh, R., Hasanah, A., Sahlani, L., & Zuhri, M. T. (2023). Energy-Saving Triangle: Internalizing Islamic Ethical Values on Energy Saving in Integrative Learning. Religions, 14(10), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14101023
Samuel, E. (2024). The Effectiveness of Disaster Management Policies in Reducing the Impact of Natural Disasters in Canada. Journal of Public Policy and Administration, 9(2), 26–38.
Sayem, M. A. (2021). Islam and Environmental Ethics. ISLAMIC STUDIES, 60(2).
Serly, A., Khozin, K., & Hakim, R. (2025). Internalising Environmental Values through Islamic Religious Education in Junior High School. Halaqa: Islamic Education Journal.
Shaleh, A., & Islam, M. S. (2024). Averting the Existential Threat of the Planet: Islamic Environmental Ethics to Address the Contemporary Environmental Crisis. Intellectual Discourse, 32(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.31436/id.v32i1.12345
Shefer-Mossnesohn, M. (2025). Modern Islamic Eco-Religion. Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture.
Sievers, M. (2024). On The Prerequisites Of Islamic Environmental Ethics. South Asian Journal of Religion and Philosophy.
Taisir, M., Fitriani, M. I., & Quddus, A. (2024). Integrating Environmental Sustainability into Islamic Religious Education Curriculum Development. Jurnal Penelitian Keislaman.
Thohri, M. (2024). Development of Environmentally Conscious Islamic Religious Education Curriculum at Elementary, Secondary, and Tertiary Education Levels. Journal of Advances in Education and Philosophy.
Uddin, S., Khondoker, A., & Abuzar, M. (2025). Ethical Curriculum Development: Insights From Islamic Epistemology Towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Profetika: Jurnal Studi Islam.
Viero, D. P., et al. (2019). Floods, landscape modifications and population dynamics in anthropogenic coastal lowlands: The Polesine (northern Italy) case study. The Science of the Total Environment, 659, 1241–1254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.391
Yusuf, M., & Marjuni, K. N. (2022). Environmental Ethics From Perspective Of The Quran And Sunnah. Religia, 25(2), 123–140.
Zuhdi, A., Bilhaq, M. A. M., Putri, L. R., & Yayasan Pendidikan Islam Daarut Thufulah. (2024). Islamic Philosophy’s Approach to Environmental Ethics: An Analysis of the Teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith. Journal of Noesantara Islamic Studies, 4(2), 123–140.
Zulaika, S., Vahlepi, S., Soleh, W., & Ulfa binti Aliudin, N. S. (2025). Green Spirituality in The Qur'an: Integration of Spiritual Values and Environmental Conservation Education. Jurnal Progress: Wahana Kreativitas dan Intelektualitas.
Published
2026-01-23
Section
Articles