The Maqāṣid al-Sharī’ah: The Islamic framework for addressing contemporary social challenges

In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. We send peace and blessings upon the noble Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his family, his companions, and all those who stand for justice until the Day of Judgment.

Introduction

We live in an era of rapid social transformation. Technological advancement, urbanization, changing family structures, health crises, unemployment, moral decadence, drug abuse, cybercrime, and weakening social bonds have created enormous challenges for Muslim communities across the world. The Muslim Ummah in Ghana is not immune to these realities.

Islam is not merely a religion of rituals. Islam provides guidance for every aspect of life— spiritual, social, economic, educational, political and health-related.

Allah said in the holy Quran “We have neglected nothing in the Book.” (Qur’an 6:38).

Before discussing the practical challenges facing our communities today, it is important to understand that Islamic law was revealed to achieve specific objectives known as Maqāṣid al-Sharī’ah (The Higher Objectives of Islamic Law).

The great scholar, Imam Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi, explained that all Islamic laws aim at securing benefit (Maslahah) and preventing harm (Mafsadah).

The scholars have summarized these objectives into five fundamental necessities known as:

Hifz ad-Din (Protection of Religion)

Islam seeks to preserve faith, worship, Islamic identity and moral values.

Allah said, “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me.”

(Qur’an 51:56)

Therefore, strengthening Islamic education, supporting the mosque, preserving family values, and protecting the next generation from immoral influences are all means of preserving the Islamic religion identity.

Today, social media abuse, drug addiction, pornography, cybercrime, and moral decay threaten the faith of many Muslim youth. The Muslim Ummah must equip itself with sound Islamic knowledge to preserve its religious identity.

Hifz an-Nafs (Protection of Life)

One of the greatest objectives of Islam is the preservation of human life.”And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is Most Merciful to you.” (Qur’an 4:29)

This objective forms the basis for:

• Public health programmes

• Vaccination campaigns

• NHIS registration

• Hospital care

• Disease prevention

• Environmental sanitation

• Road safety

• Maternal and child healthcare

Every effort to save lives is an act of worship.

“Whoever saves a life, it is as though he has saved all mankind.” (Qur’an 5:32)

Hifz al-‘Aql (Protection of Intellect) ( part 2)

Islam seeks to protect the human mind because the intellect distinguishes human beings from other creatures.

Allah repeatedly commands: “Will you not then use your reason?” (Repeated throughout the Qur’an)

This objective requires:

• Quality education

• Literacy

• Critical thinking

• Professional development

• Protection from drugs and intoxicants

The growing menace of narcotics, alcohol abuse, cyber fraud, and gambling among some youth threatens the intellect and future of our communities.

By • Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author