عصرِ حاضر میں مقاصدِ شریعہ پر ہونے والے تحقیقی کام کا جائزہ

A Critical Review of Contemporary Research on Maqasid al-Shariah

Abstract

Maqasid al-Shariah represents the higher objectives and underlying wisdom of Islamic law, aimed at ensuring human welfare, justice, and moral balance. In recent decades, Maqasid-based reasoning has gained renewed scholarly attention as Muslim societies confront complex legal, social, economic, and technological challenges. This review paper critically examines contemporary research on Maqasid al-Shariah, focusing on its theoretical development, methodological trends, and practical applications in modern Islamic jurisprudence. The study analyzes major scholarly contributions that expand classical maqasid beyond the traditional five essentials to include concepts such as human dignity, social justice, governance, and public welfare. At the same time, it highlights key debates surrounding subjectivity, methodological rigor, and the relationship between maqasid and primary textual sources. The paper argues that while Maqasid al-Shariah provides a dynamic and flexible framework for addressing contemporary issues, its effective use requires firm grounding in Qur’an, Sunnah, and established principles of Islamic legal theory. The study concludes that a balanced, disciplined maqasid-based approach can significantly contribute to the renewal and relevance of Islamic law in the modern world.