From Khilāfah to Cloud Computing: Islamic Ecotheology, Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah, and the Future of Sustainable AI Infrastructure

Abstract

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing has placed data centres at 
the heart of contemporary digital civilization. While these infrastructures support innovation, 
knowledge production, and global connectivity, they also raise urgent ecological concerns, 
including high energy consumption, carbon emissions, water use, electronic waste, and 
pressure on natural resources. This paper examines these challenges from an Islamic 
civilizational perspective and proposes a maqāṣid-based governance framework for 
sustainable AI and green data centres. The study argues that the digital age requires a 
renewed understanding of khilāfah as responsible stewardship, amānah as ethical 
accountability, mīzān as ecological balance, and the prohibition of isrāf as a principle against 
wasteful technological expansion. Using a conceptual and normative research approach, the 
paper connects classical maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, specifically the protection of life, intellect, 
wealth, religion, and lineage; with the contemporary necessity of protecting the environment 
as a vital extension of these foundational goals. It further aligns this Islamic framework with 
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 7, 9, 12, 13, 
16, and 17. The paper contributes to current debates on digital stewardship by shifting the 
discussion from technical efficiency alone to moral governance, offering a multidimensional 
"Ethical Stewardship Rubric" for evaluating AI systems and data centres. Beyond 
computational power and profit, the framework emphasizes ecological footprints, social 
benefit, transparency, and long-term impact on future generations. The proposed framework 
provides actionable guidance for universities, policymakers, and technology firms seeking to 
build ethical, low-carbon digital infrastructures. Ultimately, the paper contends that Islamic 
civilization offers a rich moral compass for governing the digital future, ensuring that 
technological progress serves human flourishing while remaining accountable to both society 
and the Creator. 

Keywords: Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah; Sustainable AI; Green Data Centres; Digital Stewardship; Islamic 
Civilization; Environmental Ethics