The Role of Reasoning and Nature (Fiṭrah) in Shaping and Originating the Objectives of Sharīʿah: A Study in the Perspectives of Early and Later Muslim Scholars

مقاصدِشریعت کے تعین واستنباط میں عقل اور فطرت کا کردار: متقدمین اور متاخرین علماء کی نظر میں

Abstract

This article explores the role of reason (‘aql) and human nature (fitrah) in the determination and inference of the objectives of Sharīʿah (Maqasid al- Sharīʿah) as understood by classical and modern scholars. It highlights that Sharīʿah is not merely a set of legal rules but a comprehensive system designed to ensure human well-being in both worldly and spiritual life. The study traces the historical evolution of the concept of Maqasid, from its early emergence in classical jurisprudence to its systematic articulation by later scholars such as Al-Shatibi. Classical scholars like Imam Shafi‘i, Imam Abu Hanifa, and Imam Malik emphasized the interplay of reason and human nature in understanding the wisdom and objectives behind legal rulings, while maintaining the primacy of textual evidence. Modern scholars, including Muhammad al-Tahir ibn Ashur, ‘Allal al-Fassi, and Yusuf al-Qaradawi, have expanded the scope of Maqasid to include human dignity, social justice, and civilizational interests, viewing reason and fitrah as essential tools for adapting Shariah to contemporary challenges. The article concludes that both reason and human nature serve as complementary guides in the comprehension and application of Shariah objectives, bridging the gap between textual injunctions and the ethical and societal imperatives they intend to serve.