Revisiting the Objectives of Sharīʿah: A Modern Typology of Maqāṣid

Abstract

The doctrine of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah-higher objectives of Islamic law has been traditionally well-defined
and interpreted in light of classical categorisations made by jurists such as al-Shatibi and al-Ghazali.
Yet, today’s problems in economic and political policies along with technology call for a revisiting and
updating of these systems. This article re-imagines the goals of sharīʿah by suggesting a contemporary
typology that translates older classifications into modern language to include issues of environmental
care, human rights, public health and global justice. The study underlines the potential of new categories
of maqāṣid to guide legal reasoning and policymaking in the 21st century, evaluates their practical
importance, and draws on both classical uṣūl literature and contemporary scholarly discourse. This
typology offers a methodical framework for using sharīʿah principles in tackling current ethical, social,
and legal issues by integrating tradition and modernity.