Maqasid Al-Sharia — The Higher Objectives of Islamic Law
terms
Level: intermediate
fiqh-terms
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وَلَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡقِصَاصِ حَيَوٰةٌ يَٰٓأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ
— البقرة 179
Definition: The major objectives Islamic law came to achieve.
Five Higher Objectives: (1) Preserving Religion. (2) Preserving Life: prohibition of murder, legitimacy of retribution. (3) Preserving Intellect: prohibition of intoxicants. (4) Preserving Lineage: prohibition of adultery, marriage/divorce system. (5) Preserving Property: prohibition of theft/usury, legitimacy of zakat.
Lesson: Every Sharia ruling traces back to one or more of these — Sharia is a complete integrated system, not random commands.
Source: Al-Shatibi, Al-Muwafaqat (2/17); Al-Izz ibn Abd Al-Salam
Question: What are the five major Higher Objectives of Islamic law?
Answer: Preserving religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property.