RECONSTRUCTING BUILT ENVIRONMENT ETHICS EDUCATION THROUGH KITAB AL-JIDAR: AN ISLAMIC GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVE

Authors

  • Sharifah Fadylawaty Syed Abdullah Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor
  • Amal Hayati Ishak Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64757/alqanatir.2026.3508/1582

Keywords:

Built, Environment, Ethics, Education, Sustainability

Abstract

Built environment education increasingly demands graduates who possess not only technical competence but also ethical judgement, governance awareness, and sustainability-oriented decision-making. Nevertheless, contemporary ethics education remains predominantly informed by professional standards and modern sustainability frameworks, with limited integration of classical Islamic jurisprudence as a source of ethical knowledge. This study addresses this limitation by examining the ethical governance principles embedded in Kitab al-Jidar and their potential contribution to contemporary built environment ethics education. Employing qualitative document analysis, the study systematically analysed the manuscript using thematic analysis, supported by recent literature on Islamic governance, built environment ethics, and sustainability education. Five interrelated ethical governance principles emerged from the analysis: neighbour rights, privacy and human dignity, public interest and shared responsibility, environmental stewardship, and prevention of harm (la darar wa la dirar). The findings demonstrate that these principles provide an integrated ethical foundation for justice, accountability, social responsibility, and sustainability in the built environment. Based on these findings, the study proposes an Islamic Built Environment Ethics Education Framework that translates classical Islamic legal principles into contemporary educational competencies. By bridging classical Islamic jurisprudence with contemporary built environment education, the framework provides a value-based approach to strengthening ethical reasoning, professional responsibility, governance awareness, and sustainability-oriented decision-making among future built environment professionals.

 

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Sharifah Fadylawaty Syed Abdullah, Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor

Senior Lecturer

Amal Hayati Ishak, Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor

Associate Professor

References

Arafa, M. A. (2026a). Environmental Stewardship In Islamic Law: Principles, Institutions, And Ecological Governance In The Muslim World. In The Cambridge Handbook of Islam and Environmental Law (pp. 37–47). Cambridge University Press.

Arafa, M. A. (2026b). The Protection Of Basic Natural Resources And Man Under Islamic Law: A New Tool For Sustainable Development And Greening Of The Environment. In The Cambridge Handbook of Islam and Environmental Law (pp. 300–310). Cambridge University Press.

Azizi, N. (2026). Towards Environmental Sustainability: A Reflection On Islamic Epistemologies And Models For Sustainable Development. In The Cambridge Handbook of Islam and Environmental Law (pp. 227–240). Cambridge University Press.

Butt, A.N., Salama, A.M. & Rigoni, C., (2025). Agile by Design: Embracing Resilient Built Environment Principles in Architectural and Urban Pedagogy. Architecture, 5(3), Article 45.

Ebekozien, A. & Aigbavboa, C., (2022). Evaluation Of Built Environment Programmes Accreditation In The 21st Century Education System In Nigeria: Stakeholders' Perspective. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 41(6), 102–118.

Hakim, B. S. (2008). Mediterranean Urban And Building Codes: Origins, Content, Impact, And Lessons. Urban Design International.

Isa Ibn Musa al-Tutayli. (1996). Kitab al-Jidar. Edited by Ibrahim Muhammad al-Fayyad. Tunisia: Al-Dar al-Tunisiyyah.

Iyer-Raniga, U. & Dalton, T., (2017). A Holistic View for Integrating Sustainability Education for the Built Environment Professions in Indonesia. In World Sustainability Series. Springer. 355–376.

Kamaruding, M., Muis, A. M. R. A., Alias, M. S., & Mokthar, M. Z. (2026). Islamic Leadership In Construction Project Management: Conceptual Foundations, Practical Challenges, And Prospects. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 9(7), Article e2026313.

Kurbiyanto, A., Yusmaliana, D., Fitriana, F., Altiarika, E., & Sabri, F. (2024). Environmental Ethics In Islamic Teachings: Discussing Ethical Principles In Islamic Teachings That Emphasize Environmental Protection And Preservation. In World Sustainability Series (pp. 15–34). Springer.

Lincoln, Y. S. & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic Inquiry. Sage Publications.

Mamphey, S., Knight, A. & Manu, E., (2023). Similarities, Intent, And Emphasis: Alignment Of International Ethics Principles With Built Environment Professional Standards In Ghana. Proceedings of the 39th Annual ARCOM Conference: Constructing for the Future. 629-638.

Omer, S. (2015). Al-Wasatiyyah And Some Of Its Implications For Islamic Built Environment. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 23(4), 995–1014.

Raja Rosli, R.M.K., Zakaria, A.F. & Amodu, O.A., (2026). A Systematic Review Of Empirical Research In Engineering Ethics Education (2020–2025): Global Trends, Teaching Practices, And Challenges. European Journal of Engineering Education. Advance online publication.

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), 239–264.

Sopeoglou, E., (2024). Tomorrow's Architects: The Emerging Professional and Education Context in the UK and New Regulatory Framework. E3S Web of Conferences. 585. Article 04004.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-31

How to Cite

Syed Abdullah, S. F. ., & Ishak, A. H. (2026). RECONSTRUCTING BUILT ENVIRONMENT ETHICS EDUCATION THROUGH KITAB AL-JIDAR: AN ISLAMIC GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVE. Al-Qanatir: International Journal of Islamic Studies, 35(08), 134–147. https://doi.org/10.64757/alqanatir.2026.3508/1582