Construction of Qur'anic Ecotheology through Semantic Analysis of the Verses of the Cosmos in Surah Al-Wāqi‘ah

Abstract

This study explores the Qur’anic concept of eco-theology through a semantic analysis of cosmic verses in Surah Al-Wāqi‘ah. It aims to uncover how the Qur’an constructs the theological and ethical relationship between God, human beings, and the natural world. Using Toshihiko Izutsu’s semantic method, the research analyzes key cosmological terms—such as mā’ (water), fākihah (buah-buahan), shajar (pohon), nār (fire), and nabāt (plants)—to identify their basic and relational meanings within the surah. This qualitative library research collects primary data from classical and contemporary tafsīr works, Arabic lexicons, and semantic studies. The findings reveal that Surah Al-Wāqi‘ah presents nature not merely as a physical phenomenon but as an ontological sign (āyah) of divine order, emphasizing human dependence and responsibility toward creation. The Qur’an constructs an eco-theological worldview that integrates tawḥīd, moral awareness, and ecological balance. This study contributes to the development of Qur’anic eco-theology by showing how the semantic structure of the text can serve as a foundation for Islamic environmental ethics and contemporary ecological awareness.