Books-in-Brief

Understanding Maqasid al-Shari’ah: A Contemporary Perspective

By: Musfir bin Ali Al-Qahtani

Narrated by: Michael G

Length: 1 hr and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Understanding Maqasid al-Shariah calls for the development of a juridical sense that is finely tuned to the higher objectives and purposes of Islamic rulings, the aims of which are the formulation of a new methodology in understanding the revealed texts and the reform of Muslim thought and its application. The author draws attention to the importance of understanding various levels of maqasid, including distinguishing between primary aims (al-maqasid al-asliyyah) and secondary aims (al-maqasid al-tabi'ah).

Al-Qahtani asserts that a positive understanding of the objectives of the Shari'ah should produce affirming human and cultural developments in Muslim societies. The real strength of this work, however, is in the author's application of higher objectives and aims to different areas of jurisprudence, such as in deriving and issuing religious rulings (ifta'). and to important social issues and problems present in Muslim societies, such as extremism, jihad, commanding right and forbidding wrong, social change, crisis of Muslim thought, countering religious excessiveness, the need for recreation and leisure, citizenship and nation-belonging, spreading beauty and harmony in Islam, and the role of Muslim women in society. One particular strength of this work lies in the authors application of the higher objectives and aims of the Shariah to different areas of jurisprudence, such as in deriving and issuing religious rulings (ifta), and to important social issues and challenges facing Muslim societies today.

These include the role and status of women, problems of extremism and laxity, the misapplication and abuse of the Shariah, the crisis of Muslim thought, and the need to counter religious excessiveness. In addition issues often overlooked but important for mental well-being and societal welfare are assessed, including the need for recreation and leisure, and the active cultivation and promotion of aesthetics and harmony.

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