Original Research: Historical Thought and Source Interpretation

Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), Sufism and environmental conservation practices in Indonesia

Bambang Irawan
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 78, No 4 | a7073 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v78i4.7073 | © 2022 Bambang Irawan | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 13 August 2021 | Published: 29 March 2022

About the author(s)

Bambang Irawan, Faculty of Theology, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia

Abstract

This article is concerned with the environmental conservation efforts that respond to the human race’s ecological crisis. It does this by looking at Sufistic-based environmental conservation at the pesantren of ath-Taariq in West Java, Indonesia. Data were obtained through interviews, observation and documentation using qualitative methods. Two findings were yielded; firstly, environmental conservation practices taught to students include ecology teaching, producing plant seeds and recycling waste into organic fertiliser. Secondly, significant steps have been taken by the establishment for reforestation and nature conservation motivated by Sufi values and doctrines, including the concept of zuhud [asceticism] and gratitude, kinship and mutual assistance, love and blessing, as well as tafakkur [contemplation].

Contribution: This article helps develop studies of Sufism and environmental conservation. It offers a new direction for the teaching and learning of contemporary Sufism that all Islamic educational institutions could adopt.


Keywords

ecological crisis; environmental conservation; pesantren; Sufism; Islam; Indonesia

Metrics

Total abstract views: 4953
Total article views: 6706

 

Crossref Citations

1. Islamic Circular Economy in Practice: Faith, Community, and Sustainable Partnerships in Indonesia’s Pesantren Waste Banks
Ahmad Arfah, Arina Zulfa
Circular Economy and Sustainability  vol: 6  issue: 3  year: 2026  
doi: 10.1007/s43615-026-00892-5

2. Sustainable Character Formation in Eco-Pesantren: a Linguistic and Spiritual Ecology Perspective Under the SDGs Framework
Khusnul Khotimah, Maulid Taembo, Mohammad Hipni, Wevi Lutfitasari
Journal of Lifestyle and SDGs Review  vol: 5  issue: 1  first page: e02519  year: 2024  
doi: 10.47172/2965-730X.SDGsReview.v5.n01.pe02519

3. Theological belief towards Islamic spiritual belief: Evidence from South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Ruslan Ruslan, Muhammad A. Burga, Muli U. Noer
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 78  issue: 4  year: 2022  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v78i4.8009

4. Investigating the function of religion and social capital in shaping sustainable social development
Ayesha Akter Sumi, Jaffary Bin Awang, Rasheedul Haque, Sayeeduzzafar Qazi, Nur Farhana Abdul Rahman, Abdul Rahman Bin S. Senathirajah
Discover Sustainability  vol: 6  issue: 1  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1007/s43621-025-01622-x

5. ‘Grass, rice, and aubergine’: a case study of an Islamic eco- pesantren in Indonesia
Teguh Wijaya Mulya, Francesca Salvi
Pedagogy, Culture & Society  vol: 33  issue: 4  first page: 1437  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1080/14681366.2024.2385049

6. Green-pesantren and environmental knowledge and awareness: case study at Pondok Pesantren As Salafy Al Asror Semarang
A. Nurkhin, S. Martono, N. Ngabiyanto, H. Mukhibad, A. Rohman, A. M. Kholid
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science  vol: 1248  issue: 1  first page: 012003  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1248/1/012003

7. EFL learning, religious faith and globalization in Indonesia's pesantren
Muhammad Jauhari Sofi, Christopher J. Jenks
World Englishes  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1111/weng.70005

8. Eco Islamic education and its contribution to sustainable development goals in Muhammadiyah boarding schools of South Sulawesi
Ferdinan, Abdillah, Abd Rahman, Abd Rahman Bahtiar
Discover Sustainability  vol: 7  issue: 1  year: 2026  
doi: 10.1007/s43621-026-02647-6

9. Tafakkur Spiritual dalam Perspektif Al Quran dengan Metode Tafsir Tematik
Imam Haromain, Lukmanul Hakim
Jurnal Pendidikan Islam  vol: 1  issue: 2  first page: 11  year: 2023  
doi: 10.47134/pjpi.v1i2.239

10. The Role of History in The Research on Sufism
Khatamov Tokhir Abdumutalovich
Indonesian Culture and Religion Issues  vol: 2  issue: 3  first page: 7  year: 2025  
doi: 10.47134/diksima.v2i3.190

11. Prophetic Approach in Environmental Education and Community Empowerment: A Case Study of Sustainable Pesantren Development
Joko Purnomo, Sapja Anantanyu, Haryani Saptaningtyas, Fachruddin Majeri Mangunjaya
Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental  vol: 18  issue: 8  first page: e06259  year: 2024  
doi: 10.24857/rgsa.v18n8-047

12. Highlighting the importance of biodiversity conservation through the Holy Qur'an
Lisa A. Blankinship, Sarah Gillaspie, Basil H. Aboul‐Enein
Conservation Biology  vol: 39  issue: 1  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1111/cobi.14309

13. Pesantren Resistance to Indonesia's National Curriculum to Defend Its Curriculum Model
Muh. Hanif, Mukhroji, H. Suwito, Afiq Chamim Mubaroq, Abu Dharin
Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental  vol: 18  issue: 7  first page: e05473  year: 2024  
doi: 10.24857/rgsa.v18n7-049