Week 3: Maqasid Shariah and Sustainable Development (22/10/2024)

On this week, we had our first campus observation at IIUM Gallery. During my observation at IIUM Gallery, I noticed one of the information board stated The Initial Model of IIUM, which I found very interesting to dive deeper into that subject matters. The protection of intellect (‘aql), one of the pillars of Maqasid Shariah, and its connection to SDG 4 of Quality Education are both reflected in the initial model of IIUM. The goal of this comprehensive structure of established knowledge is to combine Islamic values with secular sciences disciplines. Furthermore, this approach is consistent with IIUM's philosophy, which emphasizes that knowledge gained alone by human reason—without the aid of divine revelation—would not be comprehensive or beneficial to humanity. On the other hand, Maqasid al-Shariah refers to the purposes and objectives of Islamic law. It explains how Shariah (Islamic law) promotes the welfare and well-being of individuals and society. The notion is important to Islamic jurisprudence, and comprehending it allows you to interpret Shariah rules and concepts in a way that ensures they serve humanity's broader interests. There are five main objectives as outlined in Maqasid al-Shariah; protection of religion, protection of life, protection of intellect, protection of property, and protection of lineage. In essence, Maqasid al-Shariah ensures that the law is used not just as a set of laws, but also as a mechanism for the moral and material well-being of individuals and society in accordance with divine wisdom.