Inquiries on the Science of the Objectives of Sharia (Part 53)
Topic 8: Types of Objectives in Terms of Inclusion
The objectives of Sharia are divided into three categories in terms of inclusion: general, specific, and partial, each of which is further divided into different sections. In this topic, we will focus on general objectives.
1. General Objectives
General objectives are referred to as comprehensive objectives that encompass all Sharia rulings and are not limited to one chapter or a specific ruling. In this discussion, we will consider these objectives.
A. The Concept of General Objectives
General objectives refer to matters that the wise lawgiver has taken into account in all or most of His rulings. These objectives include principles such as essential matters and characteristics of Islamic Sharia, including nature, wisdom, balance, and ease. The overarching purpose of these objectives is to ward off evil and seek benefits while observing the wisdom and secrets on which Sharia is based; these include the removal of hardship, the prevention of harm, and similar matters.
Fitrah (nature) is one of the fundamental characteristics of Islamic Sharia and is divided into two types: innate nature and rational nature.
1. Innate Nature: Innate nature refers to the inherent nature upon which man was created. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: «فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ» Translation: “So direct your face toward this religion, with steadfastness; and do not be among the polytheists. This [is Allah’s pure nature] upon which He has created people; there is no change in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.”
In this verse, Allah Almighty states that humans are created on the nature of Islam, and that this nature remains stable if external factors (such as environmental influences or false imitations) do not affect it. A Hadith from the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah bless him), also indicates this meaning: “Every child is born on the fitrah of Islam; but his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magi.” Another Hadith Qudsi states: “I have created all My servants upright and right-minded; but the devils came to them and led them astray from their religion and forbade them from what I had made lawful.”
These verses and Hadiths show that monotheistic belief is innate and in accordance with the original nature of man. Any deviation in this nature is due to environmental, hereditary, or false imitation factors that affect the pure thoughts of human beings.
2. Rational Nature: Rational nature is another feature of Islamic law and indicates that the beliefs and rulings of Islam are based on reason and knowledge. Islam not only never contradicts reason and logic but also employs reason as a tool for understanding and comprehending the rulings.
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