TOWARDS A TAWHIDIC EPISTEMOLOGY OF PLANNING: REFRAMING AL-‘ILM FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOVERNANCE IN MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i42.2048Keywords:
Tawhidic Epistemology, Islamic Planning Ethics, Sustainable Development Governance, Spatial Planning Theory, MalaysiaAbstract
Planning theory has evolved from technocratic rationalism to communicative and sustainability-oriented paradigms, yet its epistemological foundations remain largely secular and immanent. This article reconstructs planning rationality through a Tawhidic Epistemology of Planning grounded in the Islamic concept of al-‘ilm. Using qualitative conceptual and comparative epistemological analysis, the study examines Western planning theory and Islamic epistemology across ontological, epistemic, and teleological dimensions. The analysis reveals structural fragmentation within secular planning rationality and identifies the integrative potential of Tawhid as an ontological core. Building upon these findings, the article develops a layered framework consisting of ontological unity, integrated epistemic foundations, ethical–normative orientation, and governance translation. The framework preserves empirical inquiry and participatory governance while re-situating them within moral accountability and metaphysical coherence. The study contributes to planning theory by re-centering epistemology as a foundational concern and offers preliminary implications for sustainable development governance in Malaysia, particularly for sustainability assessment practices, statutory spatial planning interpretation, and professional planning ethics.
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