The Influence of Islamic Values on Sustainable Lifestyle: The Moderating Role of Opinion Leaders

Influential and trusted opinion leaders play a crucial role in society, particularly in influencing the public about values and lifestyle aspects. However, studies that have explored the impact of opinion leaders on a sustainable lifestyle and Islamic values in a Muslim-majority country such as Malaysia are scarce. Hence, this present study investigated the moderating effect of opinion leaders on the relationship between Islamic values derived from Maqasid Shariah and a sustainable lifestyle in Malaysia. The two methods deployed in this study were survey and in-depth interviews. Data retrieved from 682 questionnaires completed by Malaysian respondents were analysed using Smart PLS. The outcomes showed that, among the five proposed hypotheses, only one was accepted-the moderating effect of opinion leaders on the relationship between preserving intellect and a sustainable lifestyle. In-depth interview sessions were held with 18 respondents encompassing Islamic figures, environmentalists, and survey respondents. Most respondents claimed that the role of opinion leaders is important, and a healthy mind (preserving intellect) should be the priority to achieve a sustainable lifestyle. The study outcomes may serve as a reference for the Malaysian government to devise effective plans for sustainable lifestyle education by incorporating the Islamic framework.