7) Maqasid Shariah

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At the start of today's class, Sir Ali first asked us about Maqasid Shariah and how much do we understand about it. There were various responses, some knew about the term fully while others only grasping the basic concept of it. Maqasid literally means intent, objective and purpose with a desire to create harmony with others, relating to welfare, interest, or benefit. Shariah on the other hand is a broad term that refers to the sense of principles and rulings in Islamic law, and represents the way to Allah SWT. Overall, Maqasid Shariah could be classified as the higher objectives of the rules of Shariah. This meant enhancing the public good and avoiding actions that are likely to harm individuals and society. It shows that Islam puts a lot of importance on achieving social and economic justice as well as enhancing the welfare of the community, which is what SDG was established for. 


There are 5 principles of Maqasid Shariah, and each one of them could be connected to at least one established SDGs. Firstly is Hifz al-Din (protection of religion) which ensures that everyone has the freedom to practice their religion peacefully. For instance, laws protecting religious minorities from discrimination and ensuring their places of worship are respected align with this principle. It promotes an environment where people can freely express and live according to their faith. Goal 16 of Sustainable Development could be related to this principle as it also promotes peaceful and inclusive society, focusing on freedom of expression and religion. Second principle is Hifz al-Nafs (protection of life) that emphasizes the sanctity of human life and the importance of safeguarding it against harm and injustice. Health care systems and public health initiatives that aim to reduce mortality rates, provide vaccinations, and respond to pandemics are good examples. Road safety regulations and laws against violent crimes also serve this purpose by protecting individuals' lives. SDG 3 is directly related to this principle as it also puts attention on ensuring healthy lives for everyone. Next is Hifz al-'Aql which emphasizes education systems and policies that promote free and accessible education for all protect the intellect just like how Goal 4 ensures inclusive quality education and aligns with protecting intellect. Other than that, there's also Hifz al-Nasl that focuses on the well-being of families and future generations. Laws that protect children from abuse and neglect, promote family planning, and support the upbringing of children in healthy environments reflect this. Social services that support families in need also fall under this principle, ensuring strong and healthy family units. Gender Equality (Goal 5) could be related to this principle as it promotes gender equality and protecting the family unit align with ensuring healthy societal structures. Last but not least is Hifz al-Mal that involves safeguarding people's wealth and resources. Legal frameworks that protect against theft, fraud, and unfair economic practices help ensure property rights. Efforts to provide fair wages, prevent exploitation in the workplace, and support economic development also align with this principle. Many goals could be connected to this principle, like No Poverty (Goal 1) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8). 

This week's lesson is really eye opening as it made me realize that Islam has long addressed these global issues through Maqasid Shariah, and that while SDGs were not created with religious intent, most of its goals resemble the spirit of the Islamic law.


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