The implications of Maqasid al-Shari’ah for integrated sustainability practices among businesses: a qualitative inquiry

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to qualitatively examine the implications of Maqasid al-Shari’ah (objectives of Islamic law) for sustainability practices among businesses. While there is a growing recognition of the importance of adopting an integrated approach to sustainability, several businesses remain focused on profit maximisation at the expense of environmental and social sustainability. As such, there is a need for more studies that emphasise sustainability practices, essentially to expose businesses to the best ways to meet the needs of today without negatively impacting future generations. Design/methodology/approach This research used a qualitative research design, and data were collected from Shari’ah scholars. To facilitate data collection, semi-structured interview questions were developed and used to conduct interviews with ten Shari’ah scholars in Malaysia. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data collected for this study. Findings The results demonstrate that there are ample justifications from a Shari’ah perspective for integrated sustainability practices. Additionally, the study reveals a need for increased awareness regarding the importance of businesses adopting a holistic approach to sustainability through the formulation and implementation of suitable sustainability strategies and ensuring compliance with social and environmental standards. Research limitations/implications While this study has primarily adopted a qualitative method to address the implications of Maqasid al-Shari’ah for integrated sustainability practices among businesses, the authors acknowledge that this approach may not capture the full spectrum of quantitative data that could provide a broader statistical perspective on the issue. Hence, future research could incorporate quantitative methods to complement the findings of this study. Originality/value This research constitutes an innovative addition to the field of corporate sustainability practices. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior studies have extensively explored the intricate intersection of Maqasid al-Shari’ah and integrated corporate sustainability practices as this study has done.