ABSTRACT

The legal discourse on the maqāṣid al-Shariʿah, commonly translated as purposes, objectives or intentions of the Shariʿah, arises out of practical considerations of finding rulings for situations unprecedented in the textual sources of Islamic law as well as theological discussions over the nature of God and His revealed word. The Qurʾan contains numerous references indicating that God acts purposefully and provides wisdom (e.g. Q. 23:115; 4:113; 17:39; 2:32; 4:26). Yet, questions about whether, by which means and to what extent human beings are able to discern the divine wisdom and purpose in the revealed law occupied Muslim scholars of law and theology for centuries. The following exposition focuses on the role and historical development of the purposes of the law in Sunni legal discourse in the pre-modern and modern period.