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Abstract

This paper investigates the concept of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah by examining its linguistic, terminological, and historical dimensions, with emphasis on its intellectual evolution in classical scholarship. It traces the early foundations laid by al-Juwaynī, al-Ghazālī, and Ibn al-Qayyim, and analyzes its systematic articulation in the thought of Imām al-Shāṭibī.
The study highlights the tripartite classification of maqāṣid into ḍarūriyyāt (necessities), ḥājiyyāt (needs), and taḥsīniyyāt (enhancements), and discusses the methodological frameworks employed for their identification and derivation. Building on this foundation, the research explores the contemporary relevance of maqāṣid by addressing their applications in critical areas such as Islamic economics, human rights, environmental ethics, and political governance. In doing so, it underscores the dynamic role of maqāṣid in bridging classical jurisprudential heritage with modern societal challenges.
The paper concludes by proposing methodological principles for incorporating maqāṣid into contemporary ijtihād and legislative processes, aiming to enhance the responsiveness and coherence of Islamic law in addressing the evolving needs of the modern world.