The Role of Islamic Teachings in Advancing Renewable Energy Technologies: A Critical Review

Abstract

The global energy transition towards sustainable and renewable resources is increasingly seen as a critical need for mitigating climate change, ensuring long-term energy security, and addressing growing environmental concerns. Islamic teachings offer a unique and profound ethical framework for advancing renewable energy technologies, grounded in principles of stewardship, balance, justice, and independent reasoning. This review critically examines the role of Islamic ethics in shaping sustainable energy practices, exploring the theological foundations of Khilāfah (stewardship), Mīzān (balance), ‘Adel (justice), and Etihad (independent reasoning), and their implications for environmental responsibility. Islamic stewardship emphasizes humanity’s role as caretakers of the Earth, entrusted with the responsibility to protect and preserve natural resources while ensuring their equitable distribution. The concept of Mīzān promotes the idea of maintaining ecological balance, urging responsible consumption and resource utilization to prevent environmental degradation. The principle of justice calls for fairness in energy access, ensuring that resources are distributed equitably, especially to underserved communities. Furthermore, the role of Etihad is highlighted in addressing contemporary environmental challenges by utilizing independent reasoning to adapt Islamic teachings to modern energy technologies, including renewable energy sources and Islamic financial instruments such as Green Suck. The review also considers the contributions of Islamic history, with examples of sustainable practices in the Andalusian period and Islamic water management systems, offering valuable lessons for today’s energy needs. The integration of Islamic finance, particularly Green Suck, into renewable energy projects is explored as a mechanism to provide funding and promote sustainability in the energy sector. Finally, the paper discusses the challenges and opportunities in integrating Islamic ethical frameworks into modern renewable energy policies and practices, offering recommendations for fostering collaboration between Islamic scholars, policymakers, and energy experts. By synthesizing Islamic values with contemporary energy technologies, this review provides a comprehensive approach to achieving a more sustainable and ethically grounded energy future.