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Shariah-General Objectives of Sharīʿah (Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah)

Main Purpose of Sharīʿah
  • The main goal of Sharīʿah is to bring benefit to humans in:
    • This world
    • The Hereafter
  • Sharīʿah aims at:
    • Securing good
    • Preventing corruption and evil
  • The Qur’an highlights these aims.


Qur’an: Al-Anbiyā’ 21:107

Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) as mercy for all creation (humans, jinn, everything).

Meaning:
  • The message of Islam goes beyond boundaries of race, nation, or language.
  • Allah wants mercy and goodness for all human beings.
  • “Rahmatan” includes:
    • Compassion
    • Kindness
    • Good treatment
    • Benefits for others
  • Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah:
    • Sharīʿah protects people’s interests
    • Prevents harm
    • Necessary for human well-being


Importance of Benefit
  • If the Qur’an did not bring benefit, it would harm humanity.
  • Revelation would have no purpose if it did not help people.
  • “Rahmatan” means:
    • Anything that benefits humans
    • Anything that prevents harm
    • Harmonises with human needs

Islamic Systems
  • Different systems in Islam (e.g. ʿibādah, muʿāmalah, jināyah) were revealed:
    • To benefit humans
    • To protect them from harm
  • These systems reflect Allah’s mercy to mankind.


Another Qur’anic description

Qur’an: Yūnus 10:57

Sharīʿah is:

  • Good advice from Allah
  • Commands what is good and forbids evil
  • A remedy for spiritual diseases (ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy)
  • Guidance
  • Mercy
  • Explanation of what is lawful and unlawful
  • A blessing for believers


al-Shāṭibī’s View
  • In al-Muwāfaqāt fī Uṣūl al-Sharīʿah, he states:
    • Maṣlaḥah (benefit) is the main objective of Sharīʿah.
    • Maṣlaḥah is broad enough to include all beneficial measures.
  • He focused heavily on maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (objectives of Islamic law).
  • He said Allah revealed Sharīʿah for:
    • Human benefit in this life
    • Human benefit in the next life
  • This is a main objective of Allah (the Lawgiver) and is seen across all Sharīʿah rulings.


Scholars’ Agreement
  • Most scholars agree that:
    • Sharīʿah rulings have purposes and reasons.
    • These objectives are rational and can be recognised.
  • Exception:
    • Some rulings in worship (ʿibādah) have reasons known only to Allah.
    • Humans do not need to know the reason in those cases.


Main Principle
  • Sharīʿah benefits humans completely.
  • Allah gains nothing; humans benefit.
  • Qur’an – Al-Naml 27:40
Gratitude benefits only the person; Allah needs nothing.


Objectives in Qur’anic commands

1)
Prayer (al-ṣalāh)
  • Qur’an – Al-‘Ankabūt 29:45
  • Prayer prevents:
    • Immorality
    • Evil behaviour
  • Prayer protects believers from sin.
  • If done properly, it acts as a shield against evil.


2)
Qisās (Law of Equality in Punishment)
  • Qur’an – Al-Baqarah 2:178–179
  • Qisās provides:
    • Justice for murder cases
    • Fairness between all parties
  • Families can forgive for blood money.
  • Purpose:
    • To save lives
    • To prevent crime (when punishment is witnessed by others)
  • Even though one life is taken (the murderer), many lives are saved.


Sharīʿah Encourages Ease
  • Qur’an explains that Allah does not want to make religion difficult.

Qur’an – Al-Ḥajj 22:78

No hardship is placed on you in religion.

Qur’an – Al-Baqarah 2:185

Allah wants ease for you, not hardship.


KEY POINT SUMMARY
  • Sharīʿah’s primary goal: benefit + protection from harm.
  • Prophet sent as mercy to all creation.
  • Sharīʿah = compassion, guidance, healing, and protection.
  • All categories of law aim to benefit humans.
  • Maṣlaḥah is the central objective.
  • Scholars agree most rulings have clear purposes; worship may be an exception.
  • Examples:
    • Prayer → prevents evil
    • Qisās → saves lives
  • Islam does not burden people; Allah wants ease.
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