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International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | ISSN: 2454-6186
DOI: 10.47772/I0JRISS | ICICM 2025 - Conference Proceedings | Volume IX Issue XXIX November 2025
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A Comprehensive Ethical Framework for Islamic Advocacy in Food
Security: Principles, Practice, and Policy Directions
Ahmad Syihan Ismail
1,3
*, Yusof Marlon Abdullah
2
& Abdul Salam Zulkifli
3
1
Faculty of Islamic Civilisation Studies, Universiti Islam Selangor
2
Centre of Indigenous Ethnic Studies, Universiti Islam Selangor
3
Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin
*Corresponding Author
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.92900014
Received: 17 November 2025; Accepted: 25 November 2025; Published: 17 December 2025
ABSTRACTS
The study explores the integration of Islamic ethics and principles in addressing contemporary food security and
sustainable development challenges. It highlights the significant role of Islamic ethics in promoting responsible
food-related behavior and ensuring a sustainable food supply. The research identifies a harmonization approach
that involves the government and stakeholders in creating and maintaining ethical public institutions, such as
media/educational centers, impact centers, protection agencies, and coordination units, to enhance food security
and sustainable development.
Additionally, the study examines the potential of insect-based proteins as a sustainable and ethical food source
within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence, emphasizing the importance of Halal principles and maqasid al-
shariah (the higher objectives of Islamic law). The research also discusses the role of Islamic values in obesity
prevention, highlighting the importance of halal and ayyib foods in promoting health and preventing obesity-
related diseases.
Furthermore, the study addresses the issue of food loss and waste (FLW) and its impact on food security,
particularly in disadvantaged economies. It argues that Islamic ethics can encourage responsible food-related
behavior and maximize the utility of food, suggesting the establishment of large-scale organizational entities like
food banks to minimize FLW sustainably.
The research also explores the role of Islamic green finance in promoting sustainable agriculture and mitigating
climate change, emphasizing the ethical foundations of Islamic finance and its potential to support sustainable
development in agriculture.
Overall, the study underscores the importance of integrating Islamic ethics and principles in addressing food
security and sustainable development challenges, offering a comprehensive framework for ethical and sustainable
food practices.
Keywords: Islamic Ethics; Food Security; Sustainable Development; Halal Principles; Green Finance
INTRODUCTIONS
Food security remains a pressing global challenge, with over 800 million people affected by hunger and
malnutrition. In Muslim-majority contexts, Islamic ethical principles offer a unique framework for advocacy,
policy, and practice. The Charter of Advocacy Ethics for Food Security articulates a comprehensive approach
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International Conference on Islamic Contemporary Issues and Management 2025
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that integrates religious, ethical, and practical dimensions, aiming to harmonize divine imperatives with
contemporary governance and social needs (Kurbiyanto et al., 2024; Musa & Shahlehi, 2025; Mowlana, 2013).
This review synthesizes theoretical foundations and practical insights to advance the discourse on Islamic
advocacy in food security.
METHODS
This review employs a meta-analytical approach, synthesizing findings from empirical studies, policy analyses,
and case studies across Muslim-majority countries (20182024). Data sources include:
Peer-reviewed articles on Islamic ethics, food security, and social finance.
Policy documents and institutional reports from OIC countries.
Case studies on digital innovation, participatory governance, and food justice interventions.
All claims are supported by direct citations from the aggregated findings structure and meta-analysis.
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
1. Islamic Ethical Principles in Food Security Advocacy
Islamic advocacy for food security is grounded in a constellation of ethical principles:
Tawhid (Oneness of God): Promotes unity, systemic integration, and participatory governance,
emphasizing consultation (shūrā), integrity (amānah), and justice (Kurbiyanto et al., 2024; Ruhullah &
Ushama, 2024).
Ihsan (Excellence in Conduct): Structures decision-making to prioritize human dignity, societal welfare,
and environmental stewardship (Khakim et al., 2024).
Amr bi al-ma’ruf wa nahy’an al munkar: Commanding right and forbidding wrong, guiding moral
responsibility in food systems (Kurbiyanto et al., 2024; Mowlana, 2013).
Ummah (Community) & Taqwa (Piety): Foster collective welfare and spiritual
accountability (Kurbiyanto et al., 2024; Mowlana, 2013).
Justice (‘Adl), Moderation (Wasatiyyah), Avoidance of Harm (Darar), Preservation of Life (Hifz
al-Nafs): Ensure equitable access, responsible consumption, and protection of vulnerable
groups (Jureidini et al., 2025; Ahmad et al., 2025).
These principles extend beyond legal justice to encompass broader moral values derived from the Quran and
Hadith, promoting social justice and dispute resolution in food security contexts (Tarantang, 2019).
2. Halalan Tayyiban and Food Justice
The concept of Halalan Tayyiban integrates lawful (halal) and wholesome (tayyib) food, requiring ethical
sourcing, production, and equitable access. It mandates active stakeholder involvement and compliance with
Shariah law throughout the supply chain (Musa&Shahlehi, 2025; Salisu et al., 2025; Idris et al., 2022). Food
justice, as articulated in Islamic ethics, emphasizes the right to culturally appropriate, nutritious food, especially
for vulnerable populations such as migrant workers (Jureidini et al., 2025).
3. Institutional and Jurisprudential Interpretations
Diverse Islamic jurisprudential schools (Maliki, Hanafi, Shafi'i) interpret these principles variably, affecting
practical rulings on waqf, istihalah, and alternative protein sources (Haddad, 2012; Alkhan &Hassan, 2025).
Institutional models, such as interconnected departments governed by a Moslem Council, aim to harmonize
divine orders with human behavior for sustainable food security (Haddad, 2012).
Islamic ethical principles provide a robust foundation for food security advocacy, but their operationalization
requires nuanced understanding of jurisprudential diversity and institutional adaptation.
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International Conference on Islamic Contemporary Issues and Management 2025
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Framework And Practical Application
1. The "Ethical-Governance-Action" Framework for Food Security
To operationalize the Islamic ethical principles discussed, we propose a tripartite framework that bridges
theological concepts with tangible food security outcomes. This model visualizes the flow from divine intent to
societal impact.
Layer 1: The Foundational Ethic
Tawhid (Unity) & Taqwa (Accountability): The foundation of the framework establishes that food security is not
merely a logistical challenge but a spiritual obligation. Tawhid ensures systemic integration and unity of purpose,
while Taqwa drives the moral accountability of policymakers and producers.
Layer 2: The Governance Pillars
Shūrā (Consultation): Participatory governance involving stakeholders (farmers, consumers, scholars) to ensure
inclusive decision-making.
Ihsan (Excellence/Stewardship): Moving beyond minimum compliance to proactive environmental care and
high-quality production standards.
‘Adl (Justice) & Hifz al-Nafs (Preservation of Life): Policy mechanisms that prioritize access for the vulnerable
and the prevention of harm (Darar) through safety regulations.
Layer 3: The Practical Outcomes
Sustainable Consumption: Reduction of Food Loss and Waste (FLW) via ethical consumerism.
Health Security: Implementation of Halalan Tayyiban to combat obesity and ensuring nutritional adequacy.
Economic Resilience: Utilization of Islamic Green Finance to support sustainable agriculture.
2. Expanded Practical Dimensions
Operationalizing Key Islamic Mechanisms to move from theory to practice, specific mechanisms must be
strengthened within the food security architecture:
A. Institutionalizing Halalan Tayyiban beyond Certification Current discourse often limits Halal to ritual
slaughter. However, a comprehensive food security approach requires enforcing the Tayyib (wholesome/pure)
aspect. Practically, this implies:
I. Supply Chain Audits: Implementing "Farm-to-Fork" tracking to ensure labor rights are respected and
environmental harm is minimized, complying with Ihsan.
II. Nutritional Policy: Governments should mandate that Halal certified products also meet specific
nutritional criteria to address obesity, aligning with the objective of Hifz al-Nafs (Preservation of Life).
B. Leveraging Islamic Green Finance for Agriculture Islamic finance offers untapped potential for agrarian
support. The ethical foundations of Islamic finance can be directed toward:
I. Green Sukuk (Islamic Bonds): Issuing sovereign or corporate Sukuk specifically to fund climate-
resilient irrigation infrastructure or vertical farming technologies.
II. Agricultural Waqf (Endowments): Reviving the tradition of designating land as Waqf specifically for
community farming, managed by coordination units to ensure produce reaches disadvantaged groups.
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C. Cross-Sectoral Coordination Units Effective implementation requires breaking silos. We propose the
establishment of "Ethical Food Security Impact Centers". These units would act as intermediaries between
religious councils (determining fiqh rulings on novel foods like insect protein) and secular protection agencies,
ensuring that religious edicts support national sustainability goals.
3. Hypothetical Policy Scenarios
Scenario Box 1: The "Zero-Waste" Waqf Food Bank
Context: A region suffering from high food waste despite prevalence of hunger.
Application: Utilizing the principle of Israf (avoidance of waste) and Waqf, a centralized "Food Rescue Bank"
is established. Large-scale organizational entities collect surplus from Halal certified producers.
Outcome: The surplus is not treated as charity but as a redistribution of rights (Haqq) within the Ummah. Digital
tools track the redistribution to migrant workers, ensuring food justice and minimizing FLW sustainably.
Scenario Box 2: The "Tayyib-First" School Nutrition Policy
Context: Rising childhood obesity rates in a Muslim-majority urban center.
Application: The Ministry of Education adopts a Halalan Tayyiban procurement policy. Instead of only checking
for pork/alcohol absence (Halal), the policy mandates that food providers must source locally (reducing carbon
footprint/green finance support) and meet low-sugar thresholds (Tayyib).
Outcome: This harmonizes the religious obligation of consuming wholesome food with the public health goal of
obesity prevention, demonstrating Maqasid al-Shariah in public administration.
CONCLUSION
The synthesis of key insights unequivocally demonstrates that Islamic ethical principles-namely Tawhid, Ihsan,
and justice-offer a robust, comprehensive, and action-oriented foundation for effective food security advocacy
that moves beyond mere humanitarian aid toward structural equity. Achieving this requires actively addressing
persistent literature gaps, particularly in the operationalization of Halalan Tayyiban and circular economy
frameworks, while simultaneously ensuring that institutional models and policy frameworks are dynamic enough
to integrate participatory governance, social finance (Waqf), and digital innovation to serve the needs of
vulnerable populations. Therefore, the future direction of this field necessitates interdisciplinary research and
policy innovation aimed at forging sustainable food systems that align perfectly with Islamic ethical imperatives
for global justice and long-term sustainability.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This writing is part of the research conducted for the author's Ph.D. degree at the Faculty of Islamic Civilisation
Studies, Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS). The author gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by
the Yayasan Rizalman for this Ph.D. study.
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