WEEK 3 : MAQASID SHARIAH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 

Assalamualaikum and hi everyone!

    This week topic is what can we relate Sustainable Development with Maqasid Shariah? From my understanding, the definition of Maqasid Shariah is to protect and preserve the well-being of the society or public interest( maslahah). The element of Maqasid Shariah is the protection of life, religion, intellect, wealth and lineage. Whereas SDGs is a goals that we have to achieved in a mean and a way to help us to reach the objectives of Maqasid Syariah. This is how the interrelatedness of Maqasid Syariah and SDG can be explained. 

     For instance, the protection of wealth (hifzulmal). In order to protect our wealth, we have to avoid any prohibited action that will harm ourself and cause difficulty to others. For example, bribery, theft, gambling, the elements of usury(riba') in transaction, the unethical behavior in managing the money of others, persecution the right of others, injustice and so on. Thus, we can relate this Maqasid Syariah with the first goals of SDG which is no poverty. We have to improve and increase the welfare and the degree of life for not only ourselves but all people around us. The point here is equality. How we want to make sure that no one will experience the lowest standard of living. The income that we obtained should have some portion or division to contribute to help others. Indirectly, we can relates with the protection of life. If we have more wealth, don't ever attempt to show them off to the poor or those who can't afford to have it. This will affect their feelings and might lead to unhealthy emotions. Emotional stability is so important in ensuring that our life is in direction and keep our mind to always remind Allah SWT and be thankful to all his blessings. 

    Thus, this indicates the important of Maqasid Shariah as a guidance in implementing the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals. Both are highly interlink with each other. We also have to remember that we are only the temporary owners of everything in this earthly life, Allah is the true owner and we are accountable as the trustee to preserve the world well.