Islam is a way of life and is able to solve all of one’s problems Photo Pixel
World – In a world riddled with complex problems and societal challenges, the principles and teachings of Islam offer a remedy to what ails us. Islam is a comprehensive way of life which provides guidance and solutions that encompass spiritual, social, ethical, and economic dimensions.
Islam provides a moral and ethical framework that guides human behaviour, fostering compassion, justice, and integrity. The Quraan and Hadith (teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammed (SAW)) guides a Muslim in their everyday life and provides the solution to every problem.
The solution of man lies in the Maqasid al-Sharia, explained El-Hajj Mauri Saalakhan, Salaamedia presenter. Maqasid al-Sharia refers to the objectives or purposes of Islamic law, also known as Sharia. Maqasid” is the plural form of the Arabic word “maqsad,” which means objective or purpose. Sharia is the laws derived from the Quraan and Hadith.
“Maqasid al-Sharia is the aims or goals intended by Shariah for the realisation of benefit for all humanity. The way that the Sharia is described, represented in some of our discourse, it gives people the impression that this is a harsh, punishing type of law. It is not. The primary objective of Islamic law is the realisation of this benefit concerning the affairs of humanity in this world and the Hereafter.”
There are five overarching objectives of Maqasid al-Sharia which are, Hifz al-Din (preservation of religion), Hifz al-Nafs (preservation of life), Hifz al-’Aql (preservation of intellect), Hifz al-Nasl (preservation of lineage) and Hifz al-Mal (preservation of property).
Neglecting the Maqasid al-Sharia
Muslims encounter a range of challenges in the modern world, including Islamophobia, discrimination and restrictions on religious freedom. When we decided to let the media dictate what Islam is to the world, we neglected Hifz al-Din. We failed to protect and promote Islam and therefore, others have taken the opportunity to dictate to the world what it is.
Similarly, by neglecting the other Maqasid al-Sharia, we have opened ourselves up to the other problems we see around the world. We neglected Hifz al-’Aql, and it is no surprise the youth find themselves straying off the straight path. The same youth that will grow up and lead us. If they are off the straight path, it can never be that they will lead their children onto the straight path.
If we look at the Muslim world today, things are in a shameful state and it is due to us not abiding by the laws of Sharia, explained Mauri Saalakhan. Times are tough all around, but we take hope in the fact that things can turn around. All it requires is for us to turn back to Allah (SWT).
“This Islam that is found in the Quraan and the prophetic Sunnah, has the power for regeneration. We have seen this. We have seen those periods in history when the Islamic world went into decline and then it was able to come back to life. This is what makes Islam so unique. It is not us but the purity of the message.”
If we wish to rectify our lives and solve our issues, our problems, we need to turn back to Allah (SWT). Only by obeying the commands of Allah (SWT), by upholding the Maqasid al-Sharia, can we ever achieve the life of peace that we seek and be successful in this world and the Hereafter.
To hear El-Hajj Mauri Saalakhan further elaborate on the Maqasid al-Sharia, listen to the podcast here:
