Topic 8:

Maqasid Al-Shariah
and Sustainable
Development

Prepared and edited by DRIZ

 Learning Outcomes

• What is Maqasid Al-Shariah?

• Spirituality as Foundation for Sustainability
• Other Religions and Sustainable Development

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 What do you know about
Maqasid Al-Shariah?
(Have you heard about it before? Share your thoughts and opinion)

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What is Maqasid Al-
Shariah?
 Maqasid al-shariah involves realizing the human well-being by
enhancing welfare, or benefit (maslahah) of the people on one
hand and preventing harm (mafsadah) on the other.

Maqasid Al-
Shariah

The ultimate objective of shariah is to promote and protect

the wellbeing of people and nature, which lies in the
safeguarding of five fundamental objectives of shariah:

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 HIFZ AL-DIN
(RELIGION)

HIFZ AL-MAL HIFZ AL-NAFS

MAQASID
(WEALTH) (LIFE)
AL- SHARIAH
(OBJECTIVES OF
ISLAMIC LAW)

HIFZ AL-NASB HIFZ AL- ‘AQL

(LINEAGE) (INTELLECT)

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 The satisfaction of these needs is a basic human right and
has been addressed under the generic term Maqasid Al-
Shariah

These objectives have a great resemblance to the United

Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

If we examine the United Nations SDGs, we will see that

although these have not been developed on a religious
basis, most goals are nonetheless aligned with the spirit
of Islamic law.

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HIERARCHY OF MAQSID SHARIÁ
 In Islam, sustainability of five things
i.e. life, faith, mind, property, and
lineage is considered to be an
objective of the law (Maqāṣid al-
Shar`īah) and Muslims are duty-
bound by their religion to ensure the
sustenance of these five objectives.
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This means that the Islamic
development is endogenously
sustainable since preservation of
life is an explicit objective of the
Islamic law, which makes only
those development efforts
Islamically permissible that do not
compromise the ability of future
generations to meet their own
needs.
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 How do you see Maqasid Al-
Shariah applied:
i) at home?
ii) on campus?

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 5 Dimensions of the SDGs:

The Goals and targets will stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas
The 5Ps: of critical importance for humanity and the planet:
Dimensions of the SDGs 1. People
GUIDELINES AND
We are determined to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and
dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential in
PRINCIPLES OF
dignity and equality and in a healthy environment. SUSTAINABILITY IN
AL- QUR’AN
2. Planet
We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through 1. ADL - JUSTICE
sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural
2. MIZAN - BALANCE
resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support
the needs of the present and future generations. 3. WASAT – MIDDLENESS

3. Prosperity 4. RAHMAH – MERCY

We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and 5. AMANAH – TRUSTWORTHINESS
fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in AND CUSTODIANSHIP
harmony with nature.
6. TAHARAH – SPIRITUAL PURITY AND
4. Peace PHYSICAL CLEANLINESS
We are determined to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are 7. HAQ - TRUTHFULNESS AND RIGHTS
free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without
peace and no peace without sustainable development. 8. ILM NAFI’ – USEFULNESS OF
KNOWLEDGE AND SCIENCE
5. Partnership
We are determined to mobilize the means required to implement this
Agenda through a revitalised Global Partnership for Sustainable Development,
based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focussed in particular on the
needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all
countries, all stakeholders and all people.

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 Compatibility of 5Ps and Maqasid al-Shariah
● Life = Peace
○ Islam is a religion of peace. The root word of islam is “silm” that refers to making peace,
and among others, being in mutually peaceful environment.
○ LIfe under maqasid al--shariah must be peaceful
○ People desire to live a life in peace, which is threatened by terrorism, conflict, violation
of human rights and the like
○ Peace and the conditions that support peace are essential to realizing a purposeful and
meaning life
● Intellect = People
○ Intellect is the source of people’s honour and virtue
○ It is the most significant blessing which Allah SWT has favoured people with, so that
they acquire knowledge of right and wrong and distinguish the virtue from the vice.
○ Allah SWT has distinguished humans from all other creatures by the grace of the mind,
and therefore, made them His successor on Earth (Khalifatullah fi Al-Ard)
○ It is the noblest part of man and encompasses reason and logic and it stands above the
ego.

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 Compatibility of 5Ps and Maqasid al-Shariah
● Progeny = Planet
○ Progeny is related to the future of the planet which must be safe and peaceful for new
generations to enjoy
○ An overstretched planet and scarcity of natural resources will result in humanity facing
cataclysmic consequences and the rising human population will eventually become
unsustainable with the adverse consequences for future generations
● Wealth= Prosperity
○ Wealth, in Islam, is regarded as a means of human satisfaction to attain al-falah or
prosperity that leads to a good life inthis world and hereafter
○ Muslims are required to work to accumulate health in his search for his livelihood but in
doing so, must not contravene shariah principles
● Faith = Partnership
○ Inter-religious dialogue may result in increased trust and appreciation for the other and
thus promote sustainable development
○ Islam emphasise inter-faith dialogue as a way to build understanding and find
commonalities for the benefit of humanity

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 THE SDGs GOAL IN THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES
1. According to the human development approach,
the 17 goal of SDG fulfill the necessity and
justice of the human being. However, it is
considered inadequate as there is an apparent
disregard the human spiritual component. Such
as religion and spiritual domain.

2. In the Islamic perspective the end of

development is to pleasure Allah s.w.t and
human well being. Thus, prosperity and
welfare will be blessing if grant by Allah s.w.t.

Ends and Means of 17 SDG Goal

ISLAMIC THINKING OF SDGs ACHIVEMENT
Islam simultaneously teaches the spiritual and political
conception.

The spiritual includes rules regulating to the relationship with

Allah s.w.t – worship and ibadah and human being relationship
akhlak (moral) and law set by the government.

Meanwhile, political conception is a system that regulate

interaction among human, governing system, economics system,
education system etc.

The spiritual and political teaching can ensure the meeting of

SDGs as they direct transform the cultural attitude and behaviors
through individual development and institutional reform.

Spiritual development will develop pious and faitful human

being. In the context of SDG, human being with the traits will
promotes social and envoiremental awareness.
 Maqasid As-Shar’iah (HIFZ) Equivalent ‘Ps’ (Themes) in Related SDGs Some Relevant Quranic
SDG Verses
Life (al- nafs) Peace 2:27;
5: 32-33;
10:25;
49:10
Intellect (al-’aql) People 2: 164, 179, 242;
35: 38;
10: 39
Lineage (al-nasl) Planet 2: 30, 60;
67: 2, 15;
28 ; 77
Property (al- mal) Prosperity 2: 21;
5: 100;
67: 15;
8: 28, 36
Religion (al-din) Partnership 2: 256; 3: 64;
4: 171; 5: 82;
29: 46;
106: 1-6

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Spirituality as
Foundation for
Sustainability
 Spirituality in Islam
• In Islam, spirituality (ar-ruhiyah) refers to an unconditional
belief in the unity and sovereignty of Allah SWT
• Character of person with Islamic spirituality: all good deeds,
economically, ethically or environmentally for gaining the
pleasure of Allah
• A spiritual person as the khalifah of Allah (the vicegerent) of Allah SWT
is assigned the duty to develop (imarah) life on earth according to the
divine guidance.
• A person of spirituality is required to approach natural resources with
humility and to work together with fellow human being for a safe,
peaceful and bountiful environment towards establishing a virtuous
society and a virtuous civilisation.

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 • The concept of sustainable development was an integral part of of
muslim way of life since the seventh century. This is based on several
Quranic verses which serves as guidelines for sustainable development
• However, influenced by modern west, the muslim world failed to follow
these guidelines and are suffering from the problems created by
unsustainable development

• There is no place for spirituality and values in the approach to

sustainable development by united nation which has created
problem for humanity
• The solution is to integrate the spiritual dimension in sustainable
development strategy

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 Spiritual principle
All human endeavours are
emphasise that the true
aimed at gaining
nature of humanity is
“happiness” for oneself.
blissful existence

Humanity has lost their Thus, there is a need to take

connection with their own true religion’s comprehensive role in
nature, and spirituality will help shaping human lives and in
to get humanity re-connected promoting sustainable
with its own inner self. development

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 • Spirituality will develop pious and faithful human beings who will promote
social and environmental development as they will become aware that
sustainable development is required of muslims as vicegerent (khalifah)
who are stewards and custodian of the earth, with a mission to build it and
establish a just social order.

• Islam considers the spiritual components as determinants that shape

physical beings.

• Values or the application of spiritual principles are the missing ingredients in

the sustainable development goals set by the united nations to achieve a
better and more sustainable future for all

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 ● Combating the ecological crisis requires a spiritual transformation that
motivates people to act. Once a person’s heart is transformed, adopting
environmentally friendly actions will be naturally facilitated, and people will
be motivated to perform research about all the actions that is needed to
reverse the environmental crisis.
● To provide one example, the Qurān says (2:168), “O mankind, eat that which
is lawful and wholesome on earth, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan.”
Following this verse alone can transform the consumption patterns of
human beings towards ecologically friendly choices. The use of wholesome
technologies will preclude the use of any products that can adversely impact
the harmony of nature.
● One would start to recycle, repackage, and reuse resources, and will begin
to shun extravagance in all matters .

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Other Religions and
Sustainable
Development
 Buddhism and the Environment

● Ecological and environmental teachings of Buddha, particularly Dharma (nature) and their relationships
with Deep Ecology as well as with effective public participation.
● Buddhist view of – One world that is home to all known life.
● The Buddha told us in the sutras (Buddhist scripture)and precepts that we should take loving care of
animals, and that we should not harm the grass and trees, but regard them as the home where sentient
beings lead their lives
● Buddhism is completely averse to the notion that nature and all created things exist for the benefit of
mankind.
● Mankind is part of the entire cosmic order but not in a position of dominance.
● Humans are just as much subject to the natural order of the universe as any other form of sentient
existence.
● Buddhism is ecocentric rather than anthropocentric since it views humans as an integral part of nature.
● The interdependence of all things o strongly emphasizes the interdependence of all entities and events.

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 Confucianism and the
Environment
● Confucianism contains profound environmental ethics through its inclusiveness of Heaven, Earth and
the Human order. These form the traditional Chinese trinity which configure the ultimate harmony.
● Confucian thinkers characteristically regard nature as holistic, all things in nature depending on each
other and forming an organic whole.
● Consider human beings as part of nature, an existence within it, emphasizing that people and nature
are closely bound in a harmonious, not conflictual, primary relationship.
● Confucians maintain the oneness of humankind and nature, the harmony and unity between the two.
● In handling relations between the human and natural worlds, people need to observe the principle of
equilibrium‘, so that the vitality and harmony of nature, the ecological balance of the natural
environment, can be maintained properly.
● Confucian tradition consistently describes the goal of becoming humane as not only involving respect
for the values of other human beings, but also involving respect for natural phenomena such as
animals.

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 Christianity and the Environment

● God Created the Earth and All of Nature in it

● John 1:3. Through Him all things were made: without Him nothing was made that has been made.
● God Teaches Humans through Nature
● Isaiah 11:9. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the
knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
● God Expects Humans to be His Stewards with Nature Revelation
● 11:18. The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for rewarding your servants
the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great - and for
destroying those who destroy the earth.

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 Hinduism and the Environment

● Practices principles relating to the inevitability of the consequences of one's actions, the
interconnectedness of all things, the linkage between past, present and future, the harmony that is
necessary between humanity and the natural order and many other.
● Everything in the universe belongs to the Lord. Therefore take only what you need, that is set aside for
you. Do not take anything else, for you know to whom it belongs.
● Most ancient texts on Hinduism demonstrate through the praise of the deities an ecological awareness
and great respect for the natural world. “Do not cut trees, because they remove pollution.” (Rig Veda,
6:48:17) ; “Do not disturb the sky and do not pollute the atmosphere.” (Yajur Veda,5:43)
● Destruction of forests is taken as destruction of the state, and reforestation an act of rebuilding the state
and advancing its welfare. Protection of animals is considered a sacred duty.
● The Presence of the Divinity in all Things, consequently his creations must be treated with respect.
● This view of the relationship between God and creation inspires Hindus to maintain a harmonious
relationship between human beings and nature.

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 Conclusion
• The United Nations SDG Agenda 2030 are primarily intended for the wellbeing of human-beings.

• Like Agenda 2030, Maqasid al-Shariah involves realizing the human well-being by enhancing welfare, or
benefit (maslahah) of the people on one hand and preventing harm (mafsadah) on the other
• Its essential goals constitute safeguarding the faith, life or self, intellect, property, wealth and personal honour
or human dignity; which are in line with 5ps of sustainable development: people, planet, prosperity, peace and
partnership.
• Islam, like SDG emphasizes the need for a better and harmonious society to be erected with constructive
and productive aconomic activities without damaging the nature.
• As sustainable development strive for a balance in economy, social and environment, Islam too drives a
balance between the three to maintain efficient and effective resource usage.
• If spirituality becomes a way of life upholding timeless moral, ethical and human values, sustainability is
certainly assured

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