Maqasid al-Shari’ah: Principles, Evidences, and Contemporary Applications in Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah Jurisprudence

This seminal work byIliyasa Hamza Maulanaserves as a definitive methodological bridge between the timeless objectives of Divine Law and the complex exigencies of the modern era. Rooted firmly in the soil ofAhl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, the text avoids the pitfalls of modernistic “utility-based” interpretations, instead anchoring theMaqa?id(Objectives) within the rigorous framework ofU?ul al-Fiqh(Legal Theory) as understood by theSalaf al-?ali?.
Theological & Jurisprudential Foundations
The author meticulously reconstructs the hierarchy of Sharia objectives, drawing heavily from the monumental contributions of the giants of Sunni jurisprudence:

• The Nexus of Revelation and Reason:Following the tradition ofShaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, the book demonstrates that authenticMaqa?idare not external to the text but are immanent within theQur’anandSunnah. It upholds the principle that “Justice is the purpose of the Law,” while maintaining that true justice is only defined by the Lawgiver.
• Methodological Rigor:Utilizing the structural clarity ofIbn Qudamah’sRaw?at al-Na?ir, the author outlines the?awabi?(legal constraints) that prevent theMaqa?idfrom becoming a tool for legal antinomianism.
• The Preservation of the Five Essentials:The work revitalizes the classical framework of preservingReligion, Life, Intellect, Lineage, and Wealth, applying them to 21st-century dilemmas such as bioethics, digital finance, and minority jurisprudence.

Contemporary Application: Fiqh al-Waqi‘
Unlike purely theoretical treatises, this work provides amethodological toolkitfor the contemporary jurist. It addresses:

• The Jurisprudence of Minorities:Navigating Islamic life in Western secular contexts without compromising foundational orthodoxies.
• Navigating ‘Nawazil’ (Contemporary Calamities):Applying theMaqa?idto resolve unprecedented legal issues where direct classical precedent may seem absent.
• The Best Generation Jurisprudence:Ensuring that every “application” remains tethered to the understanding of theSahabahand theTabi’un, ensuring a chain of continuity (Isnad) in thought and practice.

Scholarly Acclaim
“A masterful synthesis that defends the tradition while speaking to the present. Maulana has produced a work that would find favor in the halls of Al-Azhar, the circles of Madinah, and the classrooms of the West alike.”
This volume is an indispensable resource for scholars, students of knowledge, and any Muslim seeking to understand how theWisdom of the Creatormanifests through theLaws of the Shariato bring benefit (Ma?la?ah) to mankind in both worlds.