Journal of Contemporary Maqasid Studies

مقاصد السنّة بين النظر والتطبيق: حوار علمي مع أستاذ متميّز في دراسات الحديث

2025-03-23T15:07:32+00:00

Professor Dr. Mohamed Nasiri is a Professor of Higher Education at Al-Qarawiyyin University and holds a PhD. He serves as a Professor of Hadith and its Sciences at Dar al-Hadith al-Hassania, where he is also a member of the Scientific Research and Curriculum Development Committee. He has authored numerous published works, including books and peer-reviewed articles. Additionally, he is a member of the Scientific Committee for the Mohammed VI Platform for Holy Hadith (Hadith Ash-Sharif) and the Scientific Committee responsible for delivering Hadith lessons on the Mohammed VI Holy Quran TV Channel and Radio. Professor Dr. Nasiri is a member of various research institutions specializing in Hadith and Seerah. He is an expert in quality assurance and development frameworks, holds a Certificate in University Pedagogy, and serves on promotion jury committees at numerous national and international universities. He acts as a peer reviewer for several scientific journals and centers, holds numbers of ijazahs in Hadith narration, and is a visiting professor at a number of national and international universities. This interview critically examines the contemporary crisis in understanding the Prophetic tradition, advocating for a shift from a purely text-centric approach (Riwayah) to a functional, objective-based methodology (Dirayah/Maqasid). Prof. Dr. Mohamed Nasiri argues that the distinction between "Hadith" (the report) and "Sunnah" (the normative model) is essential for realizing the Quran’s legislative intent. Drawing upon the legal theory of Al-Shatibi, the dialogue emphasizes the necessity of Contextualization (Tahqiq al-Manat), arguing that isolating texts from their systemic jurisprudential frameworks leads to fragmented and erroneous applications. Central to this proposed methodology is the activation of the theory of Prophetic Dispositions (Tasarrufat al-Nabawiyya)—distinguishing between the Prophet’s actions as a universal legislator versus his temporal actions as a political leader or judge. Furthermore, the discussion posits that modern social sciences must be integrated into Hadith scholarship to diagnose contemporary reality accurately, ensuring that the application of the Sunnah achieves its higher objectives of public welfare (Maslahah) rather than becoming a static historical artifact.

Reintegrating the Economic Objectives of Sharīʿah: A Study of Mawdūdī’s Economic Thought in Pakistan

2025-11-28T01:18:23+00:00

The objectives of Sharīʿah (maqāṣid al-sharīʿah) have generally focused on the protection of religion, life, intellect, progeny, and property. Over time, these objectives have expanded to encompass broader social and economic concerns, particularly in response to the complexities of modernity. In Pakistan, Sayyid Abul Aʿlā Mawdūdī emerged as a pioneer in highlighting the economic dimensions of the Sharīʿah, integrating them into his broader vision of dīn and the Islamic state. He established foundational principles of Islamic economics grounded in Sharīʿah objectives. However, with the institutional rise of Islamic banking, the focus increasingly shifted toward technical legal compliance, often neglecting this wider maqāṣid-oriented economic vision. This study aims to highlight the significance of incorporating Mawdūdī's economic objectives into contemporary Islamic financial practices. It offers fresh perspectives by engaging his economic thought within the ongoing debate on Islamic finance and suggesting ways to realign contemporary practices with the economic objectives of Sharīʿah. Employing a qualitative textual methodology, the research examines Mawdūdī’s key works—particularly “First Principles of Islamic Economics” and “Principles and Objectives of Islam’s Economic System”, to identify the economic maqāṣid embedded in his writings, outline the fundamental principles of his proposed Islamic economic system, and highlight how his holistic, maqāṣid-based vision diverges from the technical, issue-specific approach prevalent in modern Islamic finance. The study finds that while the post-1975 Islamization of economics advanced technical compliance and institutional growth, it has only partially realized Mawdūdī’s broader moral, social, and civilizational objectives. Reintegrating his vision is essential for establishing a just and comprehensive Islamic financial system that transcends a narrowly fiqh-based framework. This requires expanding scholars’ roles to consider societal welfare, developing interdisciplinary training institutions, and redirecting the Islamization project toward Mawdūdī’s holistic approach to economic justice, equitable wealth distribution, and societal development.

Toward Inclusive Islamic Education: Addressing Gender, Disability, and Marginalization through a Comparative Case Study Approach

2025-12-07T14:39:37+00:00

Islamic education plays a pivotal role in shaping values and worldviews in many Muslim-majority societies. However, challenges remain in translating core Islamic principles into inclusive practices, particularly concerning gender equity, disability inclusion, and the integration of marginalized communities. This study aims to explore how Islamic education can be re-envisioned to promote inclusivity while remaining faithful to foundational Islamic values. It examines theological, pedagogical, and institutional approaches to addressing exclusion in Islamic educational systems. This research adopts a qualitative and interpretive approach, analyzing classical Islamic texts, contemporary academic literature, and three case studies of Islamic educational institutions in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The case studies were selected based on their documented efforts to implement inclusive educational practices and their accessibility through credible secondary sources. Data were collected through document analysis and literature review, and thematically analyzed to identify patterns of inclusive practice and their theological underpinnings. The study finds that Islamic theology, particularly the concepts of rahmah (compassion), ‘adl (justice), and maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah (higher objectives of Islamic law), provides a strong foundation for inclusive education. However, cultural practices and institutional inertia often hinder their application. Several emerging models—such as inclusive pesantren in Indonesia and gender-equity policies in Turkey’s Imam-Hatip schools—demonstrate the potential for systemic transformation when inclusivity is deliberately prioritized. This study draws on secondary sources—journal articles, institutional reports, and case studies—published between 2010 and 2024. While offering useful insights, the lack of primary fieldwork limits generalizability. Future research should include empirical methods to strengthen the proposed framework. This research contributes to the discourse on inclusive education by offering a faith-integrated perspective rooted in Islamic ethics. It proposes a contextualized model for inclusive Islamic education that addresses global educational justice while affirming religious identity. The study provides valuable insights for both Islamic education scholarship and wider initiatives aimed at building sustainable, inclusive learning systems.

Ethical Governance: An Islamic Perspective for Sustainable Development

2025-12-07T14:40:20+00:00

Systemic issues of inequality, institutional fragility, and a deficit of ethical grounding in governance challenge the pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response, this conceptual study investigates the potential of the Prophetic Leadership Model of Islamic governance as a normative framework to complement the SDGs by integrating spiritual ethics with socio-political objectives. Employing an interpretive methodology, it analyses core Islamic ethical constructs, including ‘Adl (justice), Shura (consultation), and Taqwa (God-consciousness or Spiritual Accountability), and their conceptual synergy with targets under SDGs 10, 11, 16, and 17. The analysis demonstrates how these fundamental Islamic principles provide a foundation for ethical leadership grounded in Amanah (trust) and in the institutional integrity pursued through Ihsan (excellence). From this exploration, the study derives the implication that a values-based pillar, tentatively framed as SDG 18, could address the critical gap in spirituality and cultural integrity within current development policy. As a conceptual inquiry, the paper does not offer empirical findings but provides a reasoned normative framework. It concludes that Islamic governance ethics offer a coherent, culturally grounded resource for reinvigorating the quest for sustainable and just development, while acknowledging the need for further research into their practical application across diverse political contexts.

Analysis of Environmental Sustainability in the Holy Quran: Maqasid Framework

2022-01-26T15:11:20+00:00

The current global challenges of climate change and sustainable development are leaving the world helpless, despite numerous failed attempts to address these critical issues. Exploring the Islamic worldview of environmental sustainability and conservation is therefore even more vital in these momentous times. This worldview features a purpose-driven focus, exploring the higher objectives behind environmental sustainability as extrapolated from the Revelation. Four main themes in the Quran regarding the environment include the concepts of corrupting (ifsaad) and bettering (islaah) the Earth, as well as the key objectives of being custodians and inheritors of the Earth (istikhlaf/isti’mar/wirathah). The concept of utilization (taskheer) is coupled with the “communities like you” (umamun amthalukum) that share the planet and resources with us. Derivatives of the term (fa sa da) have been mentioned 50 times in the Quran, 36 of which reference earth. Custodianship is mentioned in the Quran more than 30 times, with direct references to the earth appearing 17 times. Facilitation includes many groups, such as the sun and the moon, which were emphasized nine times, as well as stars, sea, and cattle, each emphasized three times in conjunction with the facilitation theme. Stipulated values include knowledge, respect, preservation, humility, and responsibility. The collection of verses has been compiled, coupled with references from the Sunnah and Islamic jurisprudence, and analyzed in light of the maqasid methodology. Similarly, human groups can be further classified into reformers, corrupters, believers, non-believers, wrongdoers, and hypocrites. At the same time, other communities, such as animals, plants, mountains, and other species, fall into these groups. Environmental sustainability from an Islamic worldview is defined holistically and distinctively, combining spiritual, social, economic, moral, ethical, intellectual, and religious aspects into a single core meaning. Although some creatures are facilitated for humans on Earth, communities like humankind emphasize that bettering and preserving the balance of Earth is humankind's unique responsibility.

Resonating Maqāṣid al-Sharī’ah with Generation Alpha: A Critical Inquiry into Contemporary and Emerging Realities

2026-01-21T15:46:18+00:00

This paper explores the relevance of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah as a guiding framework for engaging Generation Alpha within contemporary Islamic education and value formation. Generation Alpha is growing up in a digital environment shaped by rapid technological change, fragmented sources of authority, and shifting moral reference points, which poses challenges for traditional, rule-based approaches to Islamic teaching. The study argues that a maqāṣid-oriented approach, grounded in the higher objectives of preserving faith, life, intellect, dignity, and social order, offers a more purpose-driven and context-sensitive conceptual framework for responding to these challenges. Drawing on classical maqāṣid theory and modern scholarly developments, the paper situates maqāṣid as a link between normative Islamic principles and the lived realities of younger generations. It examines how maqāṣid can be translated from juristic discourse into practical educational, institutional, and social contexts, emphasising meaning, ethical coherence, and relevance rather than formal compliance alone. At the same time, the study acknowledges methodological concerns and cautions against the uncritical or selective use of maqāṣid that are detached from their textual and legal foundations. By drawing on insights from Islamic legal theory and contemporary discussions of digital culture and education, the paper suggests that a maqāṣid-based approach can contribute to more coherent and meaningful Islamic engagement among Generation Alpha while remaining firmly rooted in the objectives of Sharīʿah.