Paper short abstract:

This paper seeks to explore the position of spirituality in the making of a meaningful sustainability, and the impact of spiritual discipline not only to materialize sustainability but to also sustain the very foundations of planning sustainability and reinforcing sustainable modes of thought and life.

Paper long abstract:

Many definitions of sustainability place a central significance on the effects of the degrading and destruction of material resources on human development and the consequent need to control natural resources as a means to ensuring a sustainable future on our planet. Appropriation of increased material resources and energy has regretfully caused fatal deterioration of human life and sense of loss of direction. This only highlights how the planning of sustainability has been negatively affected as a result of a neglectful definition of man, inattention to his natural spiritual pre-dispositions, his very innate nature and potential, and generally an under-estimation of human spiritual capital in the process of building intra-generational and inter-generational sustainable equity. The argument inherent within this study is that the Islamic vision of sustainability rests essentially on spiritual awareness, discipline and engagement. This paper seeks to explore the position of spirituality in the making of a meaningful sustainability, and the impact of spiritual discipline not only to materialize sustainability but to also sustain the very foundations of planning sustainability and reinforcing sustainable modes of thought and life. This research concludes that original yet moderate spirituality adds fundamental value to the planning and implementation of sustainability while unleashing the very potential inherent in Muslim beliefs, ethics, and social and cultural capital with regards to sustainability and development in general. Further qualitative studies are required on the dynamic relationships between spirituality and sustainability.