Preservation of Built Heritage: An Islamic Perspective

While exploring the concept of built heritage preservation from an Islamic perspective, this study will dig out the jurisprudential principles to challenge the contemporary destruction of built heritage in Muslim contexts. The research challenges the radicals’ opinion by revealing their evidence to destroy the various built heritage. In fact, it confronts these acts and assists the international community to understand the basic values of Islam toward the environment and built heritage specifically. This exploratory research will follow this lead and seek the objective, first, by investigating the concept of succession and the urbanization of Earth by mankind. Reassuringly, the research introduces a few verses from the Holy Qur’an to support the various arguments presented and provide a qualitative understanding of the interpretations. Moreover, few speeches of the Prophet (PBUH) are added to ease synthesizing the understanding of specific principles related to Islamic law (Shari’ah). This study provides an in-depth understanding of the legitimacy of the act of preservation under the umbrella of the intents and objectives of Islamic law.