A Principled and Methodological Study of the Objectives of Shariah in Tafsīr al-Kashshāf: An Analytical Review

تفسیر الکشاف میں مقاصدِ شریعت کا اصولی و منہجی مطالعہ: ایک تجزیاتی جائزہ

Abstract

Qur'anic injunctions are not merely a collection of literal commands; rather, they encompass profound divine wisdom, underlying interests, and ultimate goals, which are academically termed as the "Objectives of Shari'ah" (Maqasid al-Shari'ah). Allama Abu al-Qasim Mahmud bin Umar al-Zamakhshari’s (d. 538 AH) renowned exegesis, Tafsir al-Kashaf, holds a distinguished and elevated position in the history of Qur'anic interpretation due to its linguistic eloquence, grammatical depth, and rational argumentation. However, his methodological approach towards the Objectives of Shari'ah remains an under-explored area of research. This analytical study evaluates the extent to which Al-Zamakhshari incorporated the "Five Essentials" (Al-Dharuriyat al-Khams: the preservation of religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property) in his comprehension of the Qur'an and the interpretation of divine injunctions. The research reveals that Zamakhshari's "concurrence" (اتفاق) with the objectives of Shari'ah is a direct outcome of his rationalist foundations and the Mu'tazilite principle of Divine Justice, where he successfully provides logical and societal justifications for Islamic laws. Conversely, manifestations of "avoidance" (اجتناب) or deviation from these objectives occur primarily when his overwhelming linguistic focus, deep grammatical immersion, or Mu'tazilite theological biases (such as debates on the createdness of the Qur'an or the denial of the Beatific Vision) overshadow the core legislative and moral intent of the text. Ultimately, this study offers a novel academic perspective for understanding the teleological approach (Maqasidi framework) within classical exegetical literature.