The Objectives of Sharia and Their Impact on Addressing Family Issues

Abstract

This study addresses the subject of the objectives of Islamic law (maqasid al-Shari'ah) and their impact on addressing family issues. The objectives of Islamic law represent the spirit and ultimate goals of Islamic legislation, which aim to achieve the interests of human beings and ward off harm. Since the family is the primary pillar of Islamic society and the focus of Islamic law, examining its issues from a maqasid perspective reveals the profound connection it has with the preservation of religion, life, reason, offspring, and wealth. The study's main question is: To what extent do the objectives of Islamic law contribute to regulating family issues and protecting them from disintegration and deviation, thereby achieving social stability? To answer this question, the study adopted a descriptive and analytical approach, through an induction of Islamic texts and the statements of jurists, and analyzing them according to the maqasid perspective. The study began with a theoretical foundation for the concept of the objectives of Islamic law, its divisions, and methods of deriving them. It then presented the status of the family within the Islamic concept, highlighting how the objectives are employed in the legislation of marriage, lineage, and mutual rights, and their impact on achieving affection, mercy, and the sustainability of married life. The study was distinguished by its integration of the fundamental and applied dimensions, unlike previous studies that addressed the objectives in general or focused on specific aspects. It concluded that activating the objectives of Sharia in addressing family issues contributes to strengthening family education, supporting social cohesion, and guiding modern family policies in a manner consistent with the higher objectives of Islam.