Ekoteologi Islam di Aceh: Menemukan Kembali Spirit Khalifah dalam Menjaga Alam

Abstract

Ideally, the Acehnese people known for their strong religious identity should embody Islamic teachings as a moral foundation for environmental stewardship. The spirit of khalifah fil-ardh, which positions humans as caretakers of the earth, is expected to manifest in social behavior, public policy, and educational systems. However, the reality reveals a gap between theological values and ecological practices. Environmental degradation such as deforestation, water pollution, and coastal damage in Aceh reflects a crisis of ecological awareness despite the deep-rooted Islamic values within society. This situation demands a theological reconstruction in which Islam is reinterpreted not merely as a set of ritual doctrines but as a comprehensive ethical framework for maintaining the balance of nature. This study aims to analyze the concept of Islamic ecotheology and to rediscover the spirit of khalifah within the socio-cultural context of Aceh. Employing a library research method with a qualitative-descriptive approach, this research utilizes primary sources such as the Qur’an, Hadith, and works of Acehnese scholars, as well as secondary sources from contemporary literature. The findings reveal that theological principles such as tawazun (balance), amanah (responsibility), and ihsan (virtue) form the ethical foundation of Islamic ecology. Integrating these values into Aceh’s local culture, dayah-based education, and environmental policies serves as a strategic pathway to building a sustainable paradigm grounded in spirituality, morality, and ecology.