Dyayadi,
Drs. Tata Kota Menurut Islam: Konsep Pembangunan Kota Yang Ramah Lingkungan,
Estetik, Dan Berbasis Sosial. Jakarta:
Khalifa, 2008, 294pp.
ABSTRACT
City
Planning According to Islam: the Concept of Environmental, Aesthetic and Social-Based Urban Development
Tata Kota Menurut Islam: Konsep Pembangunan
Kota Yang Ramah Lingkungan, Estetik, Dan Berbasis Sosial
This small book not only provides an Islamic
solution to contemporary life in a city, but also analyses the urban planning
from a textual perspective investigating the practices in urban developments
focusing on the periods of the Prophet of Islam and Umar ibn Khattab. In this
manner, the book has widened the scope of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh)
by looking into the authentic Islamic epistemology. As a modern work on fiqh,
this book is written for intellectuals interested in urban planning from an
Islamic perspective. However, the book does not provide an in depth
epistemology of fiqh in relation to practical city planning.
The author says that Islam provides a perfect
teaching, and covers various aspects of urban planning; however, he argues that
those responsible for city planning sometimes ignored fiqh when dealing
with contemporary urban problems, such as unemployment, poverty, criminality,
rubbish disposal, prostitution, slums, sanitation, pandemic diseases, and so
on. These topics are discussed using examples from life in Jakarta.
The author refers to Prophet Muhammad’s
involvement in city development together with his companions, and explains how
Caliph Umar ibn Khattab built the cities of Kufa, Basra, Mosul, and Fustat. The
writer presents their criteria such as building mosques in the heart of the
cities, and choosing specific locations in cities for providing public
facilities.
According to the writer, Islamic teachings
provide answers to all problems related to urban life.
The author concludes by discussing housing in
Islam and explains that people should choose to live in friendly environments,
where healthy living is possible and future generations can thrive.
Saifuddin Dhuhri
Translated by Amelia Fauzia
