Fiqh al-Bi'ah Literacy, Islamic Religiosity, and Pro-Environmental Behavior

Abstract

This study investigates the determinants of pro-environmental behavior (PEB) among Muslim communities in Indonesia through the lens of fiqh al-bi'ah (Islamic environmental jurisprudence). Specifically, it examines the roles of fiqh al-bi'ah literacy (FBL), Islamic religiosity (IR), and environmental fatwa awareness (EFA) as predictors of PEB, and tests whether EFA moderates the relationship between IR and PEB. Employing a cross-sectional quantitative survey design, data were collected from 380 Muslim respondents across five Indonesian provinces, namely Aceh, West Java, East Java, South Sulawesi, and West Kalimantan, using stratified random sampling. The survey instrument consisted of validated reflective-indicator scales for each construct. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4.0. Results indicate that FBL is the strongest predictor of PEB (beta = 0.312, p < 0.01), followed by IR (beta = 0.274, p < 0.01) and EFA (beta = 0.189, p < 0.05). EFA significantly and positively moderates the IR-PEB relationship (beta = 0.156, p < 0.05), indicating that respondents who are aware of MUI environmental fatwas derive greater pro-environmental behavioral motivation from their religiosity. The combined model explains 58.4 percent of variance in PEB. Provincial analysis shows that Aceh respondents, operating under a formal sharia governance environment, exhibit the highest mean FBL and PEB scores. Pesantren educational background is significantly associated with higher FBL across all provinces. The findings affirm the role of Islamic jurisprudential knowledge and institutional religious guidance in shaping environmentally responsible behavior and offer evidence-based recommendations for Islamic environmental policy in Indonesia.