The Legal Objectives (Maqasid al-Sharia) According to Imam al-Shatibi and Their Application in Calling to Allah Almighty

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the objectives of Islamic law (maqāṣid al-sharīʿah) according to Imam al-Shāṭibī and to examine their application in the call to Allah Almighty. The study derives its importance from the contemporary need of daʿwah discourse for a sound Sharīʿah-based methodology that takes into account the objectives of Islamic law and the interests of people, and that balances between textual evidence and public interest in calling to Allah Almighty. To achieve this aim, the study adopted the descriptive-analytical method and the inductive method. The researcher divided the study into four chapters: the first addresses Imam al-Shāṭibī and his efforts in serving the sources of daʿwah; the second is devoted to explaining the theory of maqāṣid and its development; the third examines the characteristics of daʿwah to Allah and the qualities of a successful dāʿiyah according to Imam al-Shāṭibī; and the fourth discusses Imam al-Shāṭibī’s methodology in daʿwah to Allah, comprising three sections. At the end of the study, a number of findings were reached, the most important of which are: that, according to al-Shāṭibī, the objectives of Islamic law constitute a fundamental tool for understanding Sharīʿah rulings and keeping pace with positive change in society, which motivates the dāʿiyah to present the message of Islam in a manner that reflects the true nature of this religion and its tolerance; that Imam al-Shāṭibī’s approach to daʿwah is based on adherence to the Qur’an and the Sunnah and moderation in dealing with Islamic jurisprudence, emphasizing the importance of balancing facilitation and strictness and rejecting blind imitation; and that Imam al-Shāṭibī held a balanced, Sharīʿah-grounded vision in assessing the role of reason and its relationship to revelation, clarifying that reason must be subordinate to transmitted texts and should not تجاوز the limits set by the Sharīʿah..