Methods of proving the legitimate purposes and their types through the approval of Al-Shatibi "may God have mercy on him"

Abstract

Imam Al-Shatibi was one of the earliest Muslim scholars to talk about Sharia purposes because he regarded them very important to any Muslim scholar. The knowledge of Sharia purposes helps understand their positions and secrets in addition to providing researchers with a comprehensive understanding of Islamic rulings. When one reflects on Sharia purposes، it becomes easy to put things together and realize the divine wisdom behind Islamic rulings which are all good to people. This makes the topic an important one. Thus، the study aimed to investigate the meaning of Sharia purposes، their significance and the ways of proving them in the following methods:

1. Evidence from the Holy Quran;
2. Evidence from the Prophet’s continuous sunnah;
3. Induction;
4. Following in the foot steps of the Prophet’s companions;
5. Silence of the Creator.

The study also dealt with the types of Sharia purposes. The analytical approach was used in collecting the data of the present study which came from various books and sources on this topic with an emphasis on what Al-Shatibi had to say in this regard. The study arrived at the following findings. First and foremost، the greatest blessing bestowed by Allah، the Almighty، on man is Islam without which he cannot live. Besides، the purposes of the Creator are great and numerous and are easy to abide by. Islamic rulings are justifiable as illustrated by the Holy Quran، the Prophet’s tradition، the Prophet’s companions and the Imams who followed them.