ROLE OF ISLAMIC LAW IN THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN NIGERIA: A LEGAL AND EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Environmental preservation is an urgent global issue due to the challenges posed by ecosystem degradation, pollution, and climate change. This study examines the role of Islamic law in the protection and preservation of the environment in Nigeria, exploring its legal and ethical foundations and assessing its practical implementation within the country’s environmental policies. Islamic law, rooted in the Qur’an, Hadith, and classical jurisprudence (Fiqh), provides a strong ethical framework for environmental conservation, emphasizing principles such as stewardship (khilafah), ecological balance (mizan), and prohibition of waste (israf). However, despite the rich Islamic environmental jurisprudence, its integration into Nigeria’s formal environmental policies remains weak. This research employs a qualitative methodology, incorporating doctrinal legal analysis and empirical field research. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with Islamic scholars, policymakers, legal experts, and environmental activists in Nigeria, along with case studies and legal document analysis. The findings reveal that Islamic law plays an influential yet underutilized role in environmental governance. While Islamic institutions contribute to public awareness, their influence on policy development and enforcement remains limited. The study identifies key barriers such as lack of awareness among policymakers, weak enforcement mechanisms, and limited collaboration between Islamic institutions and government agencies. The research concludes that incorporating Islamic legal principles into Nigeria’s environmental policies can enhance sustainability efforts by leveraging religious ethics for greater public compliance. The study recommends strengthening collaboration between policymakers and Islamic institutions, developing Shariah-based environmental legal frameworks, and utilizing Islamic financial mechanisms such as Zakat and Waqf for funding sustainability projects. These measures would help bridge the gap between Islamic environmental ethics and formal governance structures, contributing to long-term environmental sustainability in Nigeria.