The Relevance of Contemporary Classical Interpretation in Strengthening the Concept of Maqāsid Syarī’ah

Abstract

Studies on maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah continue to face interpretive tensions between classical texts and contemporary thought, which often result in differences in how they respond to modern needs. Furthermore, the flexibility of maqāṣid is often seen as opening up space for subjectivity, thereby requiring a more rigorous and systematic analytical framework. This study aims to examine the construction of maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah through classical and contemporary interpretations, analyze how differences among scholars shape the understanding of the objectives of Islamic law, and explore the relevance of maqāṣid in the modern context. Using a library-based qualitative approach with hermeneutic analysis, this research involves in-depth reading, data classification, text interpretation, contextual analysis of authors, and fusion of meanings to achieve a comprehensive understanding. The findings show that maqāṣid represents a dynamic conception of the objectives of Islamic law; variations in scholarly interpretations significantly influence ijtihād methods; and maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah remains highly relevant in addressing contemporary issues such as social justice and human rights. This study underscores the need for a more methodologically grounded application of maqāṣid in public policy and legal reasoning. It highlights the potential for further empirical and interdisciplinary research to strengthen their implementation.