A Preliminary Discussion on Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah of Imām al-Shātibī

Abstract

The study attempts to study the Maqāṣid al-Sharī^ʿah according to al-Shāṭibī based on recent problem and issues. This paper will focus on the classification of Maqāsid al-Sharīʿah based on the views of Imām al-Shāṭibī. This study is a preliminary discussion on Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah according to the views of Imām al-Shāṭibī and his methodology in conducting contemporary issues in accordance with the Sharīʿah. Al-Shāṭibī is among the contemporary jurist to develop new ḥukm to cater the current issues that growth rapidly. Al-Shāṭibī is also called as a master architect of Maqāṣid because of his approach by dividing the law into two categories: The Purpose of the Lawgiver (Al-Qaṣd al-Shāriʿ) and The Purpose of the Subject (Al-Qaṣd al-Mukallaf). This study employs qualitative methodology by excluding the numerical data involving content analysis on written materials from books, articles and internet resources. The finding of the study reveals that al-Shāṭibi’s maqāṣid is relevant to implement upon the contemporary issues nowadays. Originally, maqāṣid was developed by al-Juwaynī and al-Ghazālī thus al-Shāṭibī restructured it systematically to cater the contemporary issues.