Rules for Verifying the Accuracy of the Objectives of Sharīʿa

Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa may be stated simply as the higher objectives of the rules of the Sharī’a, the observance of which, facilitate the normal functioning of society by enhancing the public good (maṣlaḥa). This implies avoiding actions which are likely harmful to individuals and society. The niyyah (intent), objective and purpose is simply to achieve goals that embody social and economic justice as well as enhance the welfare of the community and environment. In order to achieve the objectives of Sharīʿa from the verses and narrations, there should be certain rules and limits which not only edifty the discovered objectives but also blocks the path of personal taste and deduction. To help achieve this goal, in the present research, which has been carried based on library resources, four criteria for the accuracy of the discovered purposes have been presented in order to be used as the scale for measurement. These criteria are: 1. Compliance with the supreme goal of the Shari'a, i.e. servitude. To this end, all the goals and plans of human life must be in accordance with servitude as well as aimed at achieving it. 2. Non-contradiction of the discovered objective with valid verses and narrations, because these contradictions will divert it from the purpose of Shari'a. 3. Lack of internal discrepancy between goals; 4. Observance of public interests.