The maqāṣid-cum-maṣlaḥa Approach as Theological Basis for Islamic Social Work: A Critical Analysis and an Alternative Proposal

Abstract

AbstractSince social work protects the interests and benefits of people, one of the first conceptual terms which might guarantee the theological foundation of Islamic social work is maṣlaḥa. In modern times, maṣlaḥa is used interchangeably with the overall objectives (maqāṣid) of Sharʿia. The use of maṣlaḥa in its broader sense of maqāṣid enables scholars to link their understanding of social work to the Islamic tradition of sciences, especially to Islamic legal thinking. However, if we look back at the Islamic tradition of legal thinking, we discover a totally different approach to maṣlaḥa and especially maqāṣid: it becomes a source of knowledge, whereas in the tradition of the classical ʾuṣūl, it was a tool for legal hermeneutics. Although the search for the theological foundation of Islamic social work in the realm of Islamic legal theory and Islamic law is comprehensible, the lack of critical reflection on the discrepancy of the modern understanding of maṣlaḥa and maqāṣid, in contrast to the classical understanding, leads to theological dead ends and contradictions. Some scholars have already drawn attention to this but have remained vague concerning a solution to this specific problem. This paper will highlight and compare the specifics of the classical approach of maṣlaḥa in classical Islamic legal thinking and the modern maqāṣid approach. Additionally, I will highlight the Qurʾanic concept of maʿrūf in the three-fold division of K. Reinhart, and reflect on it as a possible theological basis for modern Islamic social work attempts.