Sharia and the Concept of Benefit

The concept of maslahah (general benefit or general interest) is a very important concept in Islamic jurisprudence as it is one of the important tenets of the Islamic Shari[ah. The basic objectives of the Shari[ah (Maqasid al-Shari[ah) lie in the achievement of the welfare of all the members of society, by promoting all kinds of maslahah (benefit/interest) and avoiding all kinds of mafsadah (harm) that is harmful to them in their religion (Din), life (Nafs), mind ([Aql), progeny (Nasl) and wealth (Mal). Maslahah (pl. masalih) has a rich history in classical legal thought and literature. It is one of the most important secondary sources of legislation in the Shari[ah along with Istihsan (preference) and [Urf (customs. Apart from the Zahiri school of jurisprudence and Imam al-Razi, the majority of Muslim jurists agree that the Shari[ah rulings are motivated and regulated by the aim to secure and maximise maslahah and prevent and minimize mafsadah for the people (p.7).