From Burden To Ecological Worship: The Second Shift Resolution In Urban Muslim Housewives Zero-Waste Practice

In urban patriarchal societies, environmental initiatives within the domestic sphere are often idealized. Through the lens of The Second Shift theory, however, such movements are assumed to potentially impose an asymmetrical ecological workload on women. This study aims to uncover another perspective on how urban Muslim housewives (Ibu Rumah Tangga/IRT) initiate a halalan-thayyiban based zero-waste lifestyle amidst private gender dynamics, framing this process through an eco-theological lens. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative approach with a purposive sampling technique, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with four urban housewives who have practiced a zero-waste lifestyle for at least six months. The thematic analysis results indicate that 100% of the eco-friendly movements at home were pioneered by the wives. Interestingly, the informants rejected the label of "burden" and framed the initial transition phase merely as a process of adjusting daily rhythms, driven by intrinsic spiritual motivation (eco-halal) rooted in the theological principles of tawhid (divine unity) and khalifah (ecological stewardship). To maintain this, they adopt a compromise in the form of a flexible, non-strict zero-waste practice. Over time, this non-coercive flexibility provides a safe space for husbands to adapt, eventually evolving from a passive stance into active operational partners. This study concludes that the environmental second shift is not permanent; rather, it undergoes a theological reframing from an imposed burden into ecological worship (ibadah), resolving into a shared shift (collaborative work) that ensures the sustainability of the domestic green movement. These findings contribute an eco-theological framework for understanding gender-just sustainability practices within Muslim households.