A SHARIAH PERSPECTIVE ON PRESERVATION OF LIFE (HIFZ AL-NAFS) AND THE ENVIRONMENT (HIFZ AL-BĪʾAH): A CASE STUDY OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study explores the Shariah perspectives on the protection of life (hifz al-nafs) and environment (hifẓ al-bīʾah) in the context of Pakistan. It utilizes the Quran, hadith, classical jurisprudence, and contemporary scholarship to identify core theological and ethical principles that safeguard both human beings and the natural world. Pakistan currently experiences significant environmental challenges, including the Lahore smog crisis, the 2025 floods, cloudbursts in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, deforestation, and water scarcity, all of which are substantial risks to ecosystems and human life. Through case studies addressing flood impacts, urban air pollution, water shortages, and waterborne diseases, the research highlights the consequences of environmental degradation. The analysis applies Shariah-based concepts, such as (hifz al-nafs) and the principle of trusteeship, to environmental policy and ethics. It further compares Islamic ethical frameworks with Pakistani environmental legislation, with particular attention to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act of 1997, Clean Air act 2014 and Pakistan’s National Clean Air Policy 2023. The study aims to establish that Islamic teachings and legal principles provide effective support for environmental protection as an extension of life preservation, and to recommend that Pakistan align its policies with these values to advance both human and environmental well-being.