MAQASID SHARIA AS AN EPISTEMOLOGICAL PARADIGM OF ISLAMIC ECONOMICS: A RECONSTRUCTION OF ABU ISHAQ AL-SHATIBI’S THOUGHT IN THE CONTEXT OF CONTEMPORARY ECONOMICS

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the thought of Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi regarding maqasid sharia (the objectives of Islamic law) and its relevance to the development of contemporary Islamic economics. This study employs a qualitative approach utilizing library research based on relevant scholarly literature. The results indicate that, in al-Shatibi’s thought, maqasid sharia serves as an epistemological foundation that positions human well-being (maslaha) as the primary objective of all economic activities. Al-Shatibi formulated five primary objectives of the Sharia—known as al-daruriyyat al-khamsah (the five essentials)—namely the preservation of religion (hifz al-din), life (hifz al-nafs), intellect (hifz al-'aql), lineage (hifz al-nasl), and property (hifz al-mal), which form the basis for achieving justice, welfare, and economic sustainability. The findings also demonstrate that maqasid sharia functions not merely as an evaluative instrument but also as an Islamic economic paradigm that plays a role in defining development goals, formulating economic policies, developing Islamic economic theory, and integrating material and spiritual dimensions.