THE OBJECTIVES OF ISLAMIC SHARIA AND GLOBAL HUMAN ISSUES (POVERTY - WARS - DISPLACEMENT)

Abstract

This research paper examines how the objectives of Islamic Sharia (Maqasid al-Shariah) can be applied to address the most pressing global humanitarian crises—poverty, wars, and displacement—which are among the most significant concerns facing the world today. These crises devastate people's lives, affect their livelihoods, and make the continuation of life extremely difficult. These crises have occupied a prominent position in the objectives of Islamic Sharia, which has focused on preventing them before they occur. The objectives of Sharia include human welfare and the achievement of social justice as priorities, through the five essential necessities (Daruriyyat) established by Islamic law: the preservation of religion, life, intellect, honor, and wealth. Therefore, Islam's message is universal, addressing these three crises as follows:

• Poverty and the Objectives of Sharia: Islam addresses the problem of poverty from two perspectives—prevention and treatment. For prevention, Islam encourages work and considers it worship, commands self-sufficiency, prohibits begging from people, and ensures equitable distribution of wealth. For treatment, Islam established Zakat (obligatory charity) as one of the pillars of Islam to eliminate poverty, encouraged voluntary charity, legislated expiation (Kaffarat), and emphasized social solidarity throughout its legislation.
• Wars and the Objectives of Sharia: Islam came with peace and security, approaching wars from two perspectives—prevention and cessation. For prevention, Islam considers human blood sacred and inviolable, prohibits killing human life, and prescribes severe punishments for such acts. For cessation, Islam encourages reconciliation between disputants, prohibits killing civilians and destruction, promotes forgiveness and benevolence, and preserves the rights of prisoners.
• Displacement and the Objectives of Sharia: Islam views the issue of displacement as stemming from its reverence for human dignity and its preservation. Islam set the finest example in dealing with refugees, as demonstrated in the Ansar's treatment of the Muhajirun (displaced persons).

This paper concludes with prominent insights regarding the potential contribution of Islamic Sharia objectives to addressing contemporary global crises, including:

• Considering the objectives of Islamic Sharia as a universal framework for social justice and mercy
• The flexibility of Islamic Sharia objectives to accommodate new developments and contemporary issues
• Regarding the objectives of Islamic Sharia as an effective means of achieving world peace and coexistence among societies