Maqasid Shariah and Sustainable Development

Week 3: Maqasid Shariah

Maqasid Shariah is a concept in Islamic jurisprudence that refers to the fundamental objectives or goals of Islamic law. The concept is based on the principle that Islamic laws should be interpreted and applied in a way that serves the greater good of society and promotes its welfare. The five fundamental objectives (maqasid) of Shariah are:

↪ Protection of religion (din): ensuring that Islamic law and principles are upheld and 

    protected

↪ Protection of life (nafs): ensuring the safety, protection, and preservation of human life

↪ Protection of wealth (mal): ensuring that individuals have the means to support 

    themselves and their families and that their possessions are protected from harm

↪ Protection of intellect ('aql): ensuring the cultivation of rational thought, critical 

    thinking, and the use of reason to discern the truth

↪ Protection of lineage (nasb): ensuring that the welfare and well-being of individuals 

    within the family structure are safeguarded, and the continuation and preservation of 

    the family as a cohesive social unit are stable

Compatibility of Maqasid Shariah with 5Ps of Sustainable Development

Protection of religion ⟺ Partnership: Islam emphasizes inter-faith dialogue as a way to build common understanding and goals These efforts enable people of different faiths to engage in discussions, learn from one another, and work together to address common challenges

Protection of life ⟺ Peace: Peace is a prerequisite for the protection of life. Without peace, people are exposed to a range of threats to their lives and well-being, including violence, conflict, etc.

Protection of wealth ⟺ Prosperity: The generation and utilization of wealth are intertwined with the pursuit of prosperity. With that, Muslims are required to work to accumulate wealth and improve their life. 

Protection of intellect ⟺ People: Intellect is the source of people's honor and virtue. In this context, the relationship between the protection of intellect and people is essential for ensuring that individuals and communities can exercise their rights and freedoms, and for promoting the basic conditions for human development and well-being.

Protection of lineage ⟺ Planet: Progeny is related to the future of the planet which must be safe and peaceful for new generations to enjoy

Other Religions Perspectives on Environment

i. Buddhism

The believers of Buddhism recognize only one world as the home for all known life. They are completely averse to the notion that nature and all created things exist for the benefit of mankind. Mankind is part of the entire cosmic but not the dominant power in the system; humans are just much a subject to the natural order. The Buddhists own an ecocentric perspective; that is a view of considering humans as an integral part of nature.

ii. Confucianism

The believers of Confucianism regard nature as holistic. They consider human beings as a part of nature and place an emphasis on the oneness of humankind and nature.

iii. Christianity

The opinion of Christians is likely similar to Muslims; they believe that God is The Creator of the Earth and all of the nature and creation in it. It has been mentioned in Hebrews (11:13), "Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Hence, they place a significant focus on the environment as God's creation that needs to be preserved and protected.

iv. Hinduism

The believers of Hinduism practice principles relating to the interconnectedness of all things. They believe that everything in the universe belongs to God. They hold a view that the destruction of forests is taken as the destruction of the state.