Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah

Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah

Definition of Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah:
Al-Maslahah linguistically: It is taken from the verb صَلَحَ يَصْلُحُ or from صَلُحَ يَصْلُحُ and it is the opposite of فَسَدَ in meaning (which means: to ruin/corrupt) Its meaning is therefore to rectify, make better or right.
Al-Maslahah carries the meaning of As-Salaah (properness/intactness) and the meaning of Al-Manfa’ah (benefit/interest/advantage). The plural of Maslahah is Masaalih.
Al-Mursal: The unrestricted (Mutlaq) without a Qaid (restriction/limitation) or it means a Daleel.
Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah in the Istilaah (terminology) of Usool ul-Fiqh:
It is an expression of the Wasf (description) that appears to the Mujtahid to be most likely to bring the Maslahah (benefit/interest) or repel the Madarrah (harm/detriment) when building the Hukm upon that Wasf (description) without the Mujtahid finding from the Shaari’ (Legislator) that which indicates the cancellation of this Wasf (description) or reliance in it.
Said differently: It represents the Amr ul-Munaasib (suitable or fitting matter) for the legislation of the Ahkaam in respect to the incidents and realities in which there is no Hukm for them to the Shaari’ (legislator), based upon the angle of acquiring a benefit or repelling a Mafsadah (cause of corruption or something bad).
Al-Ghazaaliy called Al-Maslahah Al-Mursalah: Al-Istislaah: Al- Istislah (الاستصلاح)
As for Imaam Al-Haramaini (Al-Juwainiy) and Ibn As-Sam’aaniy then they called it: (استدلال)
The Maslahah has been called a Maslahah because building the Hukm upon it is thought (most likely) to lead to the acquisition of benefits or to repel harms or negative bad things (Mafaasid). It has been described as Mursalah due to it being free or empty of a Daleel Shar’iy in respect to its consideration or its cancellation from the Shar’i perspective.
The ‘Ulamaa have agreed upon the impossibility of working with Al- Masaalih Al-Mursalah in a matter from the matters of the ‘Ibaadaat (acts of worship) because they have come Tawqeefiy (as they are and without reasoning) from Allah Ta’Aalaa, and defined and specified by the Shar’iyah texts from the Kitaab and the Sunnah. This is like the Salaah, the Sawm, Hajj and Zakaah, including the manner of how to perform or undertake these acts. It is therefore obligatory upon the Muslims to abide by them in accordance to that which has been explained to them in terms of the Ahkaam. This applies to the Hudood, Kaffaaraat (acts of expiation), ‘Ibaadaat and Meeraath (inheritance) and whether the angle of Maslahah appears to us or does not appear.
Example of Al-Maslahah Al-Mursalah:
When ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (ra) was the Khalifah he poured out (emptied) the milk that had been mixed with water to discipline those who were committing this fraud. This fits into the remit of the Maslahah so that they would not cheat the people in this way after that.
Another example:
The Sahaabah (ah) approved of the killing of the group or collective for the murder of one if they participated in his killing because the Maslahah dictated that. That is to prevent two or more to take part in the killing of a single person in an attempt to avoid the Qisaas (law of retribution). It is so that no one who brought in someone else to assist him in killing a person can be saved from Al-Qisaas and so that the blood of the victim does not flow in vain (i.e. without retribution) and Al-Qisaas is made redundant. It has been related that a group killed one person in Sana’a and so ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab commanded that they all be killed. He (ra) said:
لو اجتمع عليه أهل صنعاء لقتلتهم به
Had the people of Sana’a (as a whole) gathered upon it then I would have killed them for it.
The Categories of Al-Masaalih
From the Masaalih (interests) there are those which the Shaari’ (Legislator) has borne witness to them with consideration (I’tibaar), there are those which the Shaari’ has borne witness to them with cancellation (Al-Ilghaa’) and from them are those which the Shaari’ has been silent upon. Therefore, the first category is Al-Masaalih Al- Mu’tabarah (considered interests), the second is Al-Masaalih Al- Mulghaah (cancelled interests) and the third is Al-Masaalih Al- Mursalah.
1 - Al Masaalih Al-Mu’tabarah:
It is said that these are those which the Shaari’ has given consideration to, where the Shaari’ has legislated Ahkaam for them through which they were arrived at. This is like the preservation of the Deen, the life, the mind, the honour and the property.
- So Allah Ta’Aalaa legislated Al-Jihaad and the killing of the Murtadd (apostate) for the preservation of the Deen. - He Ta’Aalaa legislated Al-Qisaas for the preservation of the life. - Allah Ta’Aalaa legislated the Hadd (fixed set punishment) for the one who drinks alcohol and prohibited the intoxicating substance to protect the ‘Aql.
- He Ta’Aalaa legislated the Hadd of Az-Zinaa, Al-Qadhf (slander against a woman’s honour/chastity) and Al Luwaat (sodomy) to preserve the honour and lineage. - And He Ta’Aalaa legislated the Hadd of theft and the highway robber to preserve the property/wealth.
It is said that based upon these Masaalih Al-Mu’tabarah and connecting them to their Shar’iyah ‘’Illah (reasoning) in presence and absence Qiyaas is undertaken upon them. Consequently, any reality that the Shaari’ has not provided a text for its Hukm and it is equal to another reality in respect to its Baa’ith (motive/reason) of the Hukm, which is the ‘Illah, takes the same Hukm of the reality that has a text for it, just like we have discussed in the section about Qiyaas.
Therefore, the Ahkaam of Saraqah (thievery) apply upon the Nashshaal (pickpocket) and if what obliges the Hadd (set punishment) of thievery is established in respect to him, then his hand is cut.
2 - Al-Masaalih Al-Mulghaah:
These are Masaalih (interests) that have been imagined to be Masaalih whilst the Shaari’ relinquished them and they are not given regard due to the Ahkaam that He legislated, indicating that they are not to be given consideration.
An example of this category of Masaalih (interests) is the Maslahah of the female in regards to her being equal to her male brother within inheritance. The Shaari’ (Legislator) relinquished that by the Daleel of His Qawl Ta’Aalaa:
يُوصِيكُمُ اللَّـهُ فِي أَوْلَادِكُمْ ۖ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۚ
Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females (An-Nisaa’ 11).
Or the example of the one who interacts with Ribaa (usury) to increase his wealth through this interaction as the Shaari’ has cancelled this Maslahah when the text mentioned the prohibition of Ribaa (usury/interest) in His Qawl Ta’Aalaa:
وَأَحَلَّ اللَّـهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا
And Allah has made trade Halaal and made Ribaa Haraam (Al-Baqarah 275 )
It is also like the example of the statement of one of the ‘Ulamaa to one of the Khulafaa’ after he had intimate relations with his wife in the day time during Ramadhaan: “You must fast two consecutive months”. Then when he was denounced for that due to not commanding the Khalifah to free a slave, whilst his wealth was sufficient, he said: “If I had commanded him with that (i.e. freeing a slave) then it would have been easy for him and so the Maslahah lay in obliging the fasting upon him in order to act as a deterrent”. This opinion however is invalid (Baatil) and in opposition to the text of the Sunnah because the Messenger of Allah (saw) said to the Arab (Bedouin) who had told him (saw) that he’d had relations with his wives during Ramadhaan: “Free a slave”. He said: “I do not find it (i.e. the means)”. He (saw) then said: “Fast two consecutive months”. He (the Bedouin) replied: “It is beyond my capability”. He (saw) said: “Feed sixty Miskeen” (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim with different wordings). This contains a strong indication of a fixed ordering and as such it is not permitted to go against that.
Another example is that related to the Maslahah of the cowardly ones who stay back from Al-Jihaad or the work to resume the Islamic life by bringing the Islamic State into reality, by arguing that it is in order to preserve and safeguard themselves from harm and death. This is whilst the Shaari’ has foregone and cancelled out this outweighed Maslahah by the Ahkaam contained in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah which obligate Al-Jihaad and make the work to establish the Islamic State obligatory.
Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٢١٦﴾
Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not (Al-Baqarah 216).
And the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
ومن مات وليس في عنقه بيعة مات ميتة جاهلية
Whosoever dies whilst he has no Bai’ah upon his neck dies a death of Jaahiliyah (Muslim).
3 - Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah:
These are the Masaalih that no specific Daleel from the legislator has been mentioned for them and bear witness to legitimacy for them or the absence of legitimacy. This is the meaning of them being Mursal or let go (i.e. without restriction).
These therefore are representative of Masaalih (interests) that have not been mentioned in the Shar’iyah Nusoos (texts), positively or negatively. Rather they are left to the estimation of Ijtihaad by way of Ra’y (opinion) in every time period or era.
The legitimacy or illegitimacy of these Masaalih is measured upon the basis of the balance between what they contain in terms of the aspects of benefit and harm, and after study, analysis and thorough examination. If the aspect of true benefit (An-Naf’u l-Haqeeqiy) is of greater weight, it is then taken upon the basis that it is from the Shar’a whilst if the aspects of the Mafsadah (bad element) or Darar (harm) is stronger, then it is left, forbidden and considered as being not Shar’iy (legal/legitimate).
Therefore, the key point in respect to understanding the Masaalih Al- Mursalah, is what dominates upon them in terms of benefit or harm. The Hukm is then built upon that; positively if the benefit is dominant and negatively if the Mafsadah (bad or harmful element) dominates.
Al-Imaam ‘Izz ud-Deen ‘Abdus Salaam in his book ‘Qawaa’id Al- Ahkaam’ (Principles of Ahkaam) says: “Through the following of the Maqaasid Ash-Shar’i (aims of the Shar’a) in respect to bringing
Masaalih and repelling Mafaasid, he (Mujtahid) attains from the sum of that a belief (I’tiqaad) or a cognition, that this (so and so) Maslahah is not allowed to be neglected and that this (so and so) Mafsadah is not allowed to be approached, even if there is no Ijmaa’, no Nass (text) and no specific Qiyaas. That is because the understanding of the very same Shar’a obliges that”.
Consequently, there is no text and no Hukm of Ijmaa’ in respect to the Masaalih and as such they are Mursalah (devoid) of the Daleel (evidence). There is no Daleel for them but rather they are taken from the generality of the Sharee’ah having come to bring the Masaalih and to repel the Mafaasid.
An example:
Those who have taken Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah have regarded a number of actions of the Sahaabah (rah) to be based upon the Masaalih Al-Mursalah. These include:
- The compilation of the Qur’aan into a Mushaf by Abu Bakr (ra). - ‘Uthmaan Ibn ‘Affaan (ra) ordering the copying of the Mushaf and burning other than that copy.
In their opinion, Abu Bakr and ‘Uthmaan saw that the Maslahah dictates taking that action and so they undertook it. This was in the case that they had feared that the Qur’aan would be forgotten following the death of the Huffaazh or that the Muslims would differ in regards to the recitation of the Qur’aan in the absence of written Masaahif (i.e. copies).
It was related that in the time of his Khilafah ‘Umar (ra) spilled and poured out the milk that had fraudulently been mixed with water as a disciplinary measure for the fraudster. This (in their view) was from the angle of the Maslahah Al-‘Aammah (public interest) so that the traders will not deceive the people.
The significance of the utilisation of Al-Masaalih Al- Mursalah within Islamic Fiqh
The Maslahah has been called a Maslahah because the building of a Hukm upon it is in accordance to what is thought to be most likely to bring or attain the benefits or repel the harms. And it has been described with Irsaal (i.e. Mursal) because it is devoid of a Daleel Shar’iy for its consideration or its cancellation from the side of the Shaari’. Its significance for those who use it is seen in the following matters:
1 - Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah, for those who have adopted it, represents a wide scope for Ijtihaad where it is possible for the Mujtahideen to establish a great number of Ahkaam upon it, for that which has no text or Ijmaa’ for it. This applies to the newly arising issues related to the affairs of the ‘Ibaad (servants, people) and the Masaalih (interests) of the land.
2 - Those Fuqahaa (who have adopted it) have built a lot of Ahkaam upon it through different time periods since the era of the Sahaabah until our recent time, within the times when the Islamic Sharee’ah represented the source of legislation. This included, as we have mentioned previously, the agreement of the Sahaabah in the time of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (ra) to compile the Mushaf and then their agreement to make a copy of the Mushaf in the time of ‘Uthmaan Ibn ‘Affaan (ra) and to destroy what had been written with different dialects.
3 - New incidents and occurrences are continuously occurring and the Masaalih (interests) change in accordance to that, in addition to the changing times and conditions. Needs and essential matters or necessities appear in the society that differ from those that existed previously and this calls for particular Ahkaam. For that reason, in their view, it is necessary to take these matters into consideration and open up room for the Mujtahideen to deduce and extract the Ahkaam for the issues that occur in accordance to the Masaalih. If this was not done, then the interests of the people would be constrained by the Sharee’ah and the legislative needs of the society would not be met. The Masaalih Al-Mursalah would as such represent the source for these new Ahkaam.
The Hujjiyah (legal proof) of Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah and the evidences for that
This Asl (origin) of Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah has been differed upon amongst the Fuqahaa of the Muslims and so the Hanafiyah and the Shaafi’iyah did not consider it to represent an ‘Asl (origin) established in itself and they inserted it within the area of Al-Qiyaas. This is whilst the Maalikiyah and the Hanaabilah viewed that the Masaalih Al-Mursalah are to be taken as long as they fulfil the conditions that they placed down for their utilisation. In their view they represent that which realises the Maqaasid Ash-Sharee’ah (the intent of the Sharee’ah) and even if they do not have a specific text for them.
Hujjiyah (proof of validity) of Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah:
1 – Its Hujjiyah (proof of validity) according to Al-Ghazaaliyah:
Al-Imaam Al-Ghazaaliy adopted Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah and called it ‘Al-Istislaah’ and this adoption was within specific limitations. These were that is represented a Daroorah (necessity) from amongst the five Darooraat (necessities) which are the preservation of the Deen, the life (Nafs), the progeny/lineage (Nasl), the mind (‘Aql) and property (Maal). They also needed to be Qat’iy (definite) in respect to bringing or attaining the benefit or repelling the harm in addition to them being of general benefit where the benefit returns to the Muslims on mass and not to a particular person or specific group of the Muslims in exclusion to others.
Consequently, Al-Ghazaaliy took the Maslahah in the place of the Daroorah (necessity) and this is not from the Maslahah Al-Mursalah according to the view of those who uphold it. That is because ‘The Darooraat (necessities) make the Mahzhooraat (prohibitions) permissible’ is classified as a Shar’iyah principle, the adoption of which returns back to the Shar’iyah texts like the Kitaab, the Sunnah and Ijmaa’ and does not go back to Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah that has no text for it.
2 - The Hujjiyah of Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah according to Al- Imaam Maalik and others:
Al-Imaam Maalik took from Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah the most. He used the following evidences as proof and those who held Al- Masaalih Al-Mursalah also took these evidences. They are:
1 - That The Sahaabah had adopted Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah and examples of this include:
A – They compiled the Masaahif after the era of the Messenger (saw) and it was the Maslahah that drove them to undertake that, represented in preserving the Qur’aan to protect it from being lost.
B – ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (ra) would take a half from the Wulaah (governors) from amongst those whom he accused in respect to their wealth due to their mixing of their private wealth with the wealth that they would attain due to their governorships. So if they did not provide a good reason for the amount of wealth they had accumulated, he would take half of the wealth and include it in the Bait ul-Maal (treasury) of the Muslims. It was the general Maslahah (of the people) that motivated him to undertake that course of action.
C – The Sahaabah decided and approved of the killing of a group (in punishment) for the killing of a single person if they participated in that person’s killing. That was because the Maslahah dictated that.
2 - If the Maslahah was in line with the Maqaasid of the Shaari’ (legislator) and from the Jins (kind/type) that have been established to be from the Masaalih, then taking it would be in conformity and agreement to the Shaari’s Maqaasid whilst neglecting it would represent neglecting the Maqaasid of the Shaari’ (i.e. the aims and what is being intended to be sought) and neglecting the Maqaasid of the Shaari’ is Baatil (invalid) and not permissible. It is therefore obligatory to adopt by way of the Maslahah upon the basis that it represents an Asl (origin) that stands in its own right concurrent or in line with the Sharee’ah.
3 - If the Maslahah Al-Mursalah is not utilised in the case where it is from the type of the Masaalih of the Shar’iyah the Mukallaf will find himself in difficulty and hardship. This is whilst Allah Ta’Aalaa has said:
وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ۚ
And He has not placed upon you in respect to the Deen any hardship/difficulty (Haraj) (Al-Hajj 78).
And He Ta’Aalaa said:
رِيدُ اللَّـهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ
Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship (Al-Baqarah 185).
The opinions of the ‘Ulamaa in respect to Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah
The Fuqahaa have divided in respect to the adoption or utilisation of Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah into three groups:
1 – A group that does not see any Maslahah outside of the Nusoos As-Sharee’ah and these are those who deny Qiyaas. They therefore assert that there is no Maslahah except for what the text has brought and that we do not seek a Hukm from other than that.
2 – The second group seeks the Masaalih from the texts and so they make analogy with every subject in which the Maslahah is realised upon the subject that has a text including the Maslahah. It would take the same Hukm of the Maslahah mentioned within the text. They therefore do not look to the Maslahah unless it has a proof for it from a Daleel Shar’iy Khaass (specific). They consider the regulators in which this Maslahah is realised in most cases to be an ‘Illah of Al- Qiyaas.
3 – The third group view that the Masaalih Al-Mursalah are the Masaalih that are in line with the Maqaasid of the Shaari’ and do not have a specific origin in terms of consideration or cancellation (Al- Ilghaa). If there was a specific origin evidenced, then it would enter within the generalness of Al-Qiyaas and if there was a specific origin evidenced with Al-Ilghaa’ (cancellation), then it (the Maslahah) would be Baatil (invalid) and considered to be from the Masaalih Al- Mulghaah (Cancelled out interests) and taking them would be in violation and contrary to the Maqaasid of the Sharee’ah.
Al-Imaam Maalik was the main flag bearer in respect to taking and utilising Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah and he stipulated four conditions (Shuroot) for it to be employed or referred to:
A – That the Maslahah Al-Mursalah is fitting and in line with the Maqaasid of the Shaari’ and so it does not oppose an Asl (origin) from its Usool (origins/fundamentals) of a Daleel from its Qat’iy Adillah (evidences). Rather it in agreement to the Masaalih that the legislator has intended to be achieved like the preservation of the life, the Deen, the wealth, the progeny and the mind.
B – That the Maslahah Al-Mursalah is Ma’qoolah (reasonable/rationally acceptable) in its self so that if it was presented to the people of intellect it would be received with acceptance.
C – That taking it removes the Haraj (difficulty/hardship) in the case where if it was not to be taken, in its context or place, the people would then be left (or find themselves) in difficulty or hardship. This is whilst Allah Ta’Aalaa has said:
وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ۚ
And He has not placed upon you in respect to the Deen any hardship/difficulty (Haraj) (Al-Hajj 78).
D – That the Maslahah (benefit/interest) is ‘Aammah (for general public good) bringing the benefit to the people and repelling the harm from them and that it is not for a certain group, faction or person.
Additional points:
- The Masaalih Al-Mursalah represent an Asl (origin) that is differed upon amongst the Muslim Fuqahaa and so the Hanafiyah and the Shaafi’iyah do not consider it to be an origin (Asl) in its own right whilst they include it within the Baab (chapter/area) of Al-Qiyaas. Consequently, if there doesn’t exist a Nass (text) for the Maslahah to indicate it, it would be rejected and be considered to be Mulghaah (cancelled).
- As for the Masaalih Al-Mursalah in the view of the Maalikiyah and the Hanaabilah then it is considered and is taken as long as it fulfils the four conditions mentioned previously. It (in their view) represents the realisation of the Maqaasid of the Shaari’ and even if it doesn’t have a specific text for it (Nass Khaass). The Adillah (evidences) of those who do not adopt Al- Masaaalih Al-Mursalah 1 – The Maslahah that does not have a specific (Khaass) Daleel for it from the Shar’a represents a kind of relish and desire. Al-Ghazaaliy said: “We know definitely (Qat’an) that the ‘Aalim should not judge by his desire and appetite without paying regard to the indications of the Adillah (evidences). Al-Istihsaan without looking into the Adilllah of the Shar’a represents passing a judgement by the desire alone (or purely)” and in respect to Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah he said: “And if the Shaari’ does provided evidence for it then it is like the Istihsaan”. 2 – If the Masaalih are Mu’tabarah (considered) then they enter into the generalness (‘Umoom) of Al-Qiyaas and if they are not Mu’tabarah then they are not included within it. In addition, it is not valid to claim that there are considered Masaalih in which there is no text or Qiyaas because that implies that the Shar’iyah texts are deficient and incomplete which is a negation of the Qawl of Allah Ta’Aalaa:
الْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن دِينِكُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِ ۚ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
Today I have completed your Deen for you and have perfected by favour upon you and have chosen for you Islaam as a Deen (Al-Maa’idah 3).
And negates His speech Ta’Aalaa:
وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ ﴿
And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims (An-Nahl 89).
3 – Taking the Masaalih Al-Mursalah without reliance upon a Shar’iy text leads to letting the Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah loose (or out of control) and oppression or injustice befalling the people in the name of the Maslahah (interest) just as some of the oppressive rulers have done. In respect to that Ibn Taymiyyah said: “It is from the direction of the Masaalih (interests) that a great instability has occurred in the matter of the Deen and many of the leaders and servants (i.e. people) saw (certain) interests and so they sought them based upon this foundation. These could include that which is prohibited in the Shar’a which they were unaware of...” (Majmoo’ah Ar-Rasaa’il Wa-l- Masaa’il part 5 page 22).
4 – If we were to take Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah as an independent origin or foundation (Asl) in itself that would lead to different Ahkaam arising in different lands and even differences amongst the people within a single issue. A matter could be Haraam in someone’s view in a land whilst the same issue could be Mubaah in another person’s view in another land. This is whilst this is not the way of the eternal Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah that incorporate and comprehensively deal with all of the people in all ages until the Day of Judgement.
The opinion of Ash-Shaatibiy in respect to Al- Masaalih
A – He rejected that which was not based on a solid (proven) basis (Asl) and if it was based upon a firm basis then it would be Al-Qiyaas (and not Al-Masaalih).
B – It is accepted as long as it is in line with the Maqaasid of the Shaari’ and does not oppose an established basis or origin (Asl) like the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and Al-Ijmaa’, and other than that is not accepted.
C – The acceptance of the Masaalih Al-Mursalah (that which is not based on a text) if it is close to the meaning of the established (proven) Usool and even if it is not based upon a Shar’iy origin standing in its own right.
D – The statement of Al-Ghazaaliy: The Maslahah Al-Mursalah is accepted if it represents a Daroorah Qatiyah (a definite necessity).
My opinion in respect to the Masaalih Al-Mursalah making clear its invalidity
1 – Those who took Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah as representing a Daleel Shar’iy say that the Shaari’ (legislator) considered the type or category (Jins) of Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah to fall under the category (Jins) of the Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah and they use the following Aayah to support that:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
And We have not sent you except as a Rahmah (mercy) for the worlds (mankind) (Al-Anbiyaa 107).
This is as they consider the Rahmah (mercy), which they view to be the Maslahah, as an ‘Illah for every Hukm Ash-Shar’iy. This is despite the Aayah not indicating ‘Illiyah (the presence of reasoning) whether in its form or in meaning. The intent of the Aayah is that the result of the application of Islaam upon the people would be a Rahmah (mercy) for them and so the Sharee’ah is a Rahmah for mankind and not an ‘Illah (reason) for the legislation of the Sharee’ah. Rather it is only the result that happens as a result of its application.
2 – The Shar’iyah Nusoos (texts) from the Kitaab and the Sunnah relate to specific actions and they are not related to the Maslahah or the Mafsadah. So for instance Allah Ta’Aalaa says:
فَرِهَانٌ مَّقْبُوضَةٌ
Then a security deposit [should be] taken (Al-Baqarah 283).
This is explaining the ruling of the security and also when He Ta’Aalaa says:
وَأَشْهِدُوا إِذَا تَبَايَعْتُمْ
And take witnesses when you conclude a contract/trade (Al-Baqarah 282).
This is explaining the Hukm of the Shahaadah (witnessing). This is whilst there is no text that has been brought or mentioned stating that the ‘Illah for these Ahkaam is to bring or acquire the benefit or to repel the harm or detrimental thing (Mafsadah).
Then when a text comes and it includes a Shar’iyah ‘Illah that ‘Illah is not the acquisition of the Maslahah or repelling of the Mafsadah but is rather something else other than that. We have already mentioned when discussing the subject of Al-Qiyaas that the ‘Illah for the prohibition of trading at the time of the call to prayer for Salaat ul- Jumu’ah is Al-Ilhaa’ (distraction or to be diverted) from the Salaah. That is while the Ilhaa’ (distraction) has not been described in the text as being representative of a benefit or harm or as a repellent to a detrimental thing or harmful matter (Mafsadah).
And in respect to His Qawl Ta’Aalaa:
وَلَكُمْ فِي الْقِصَاصِ حَيَاةٌ
And there is for you in legal retribution [saving of] life (Al-Baqarah 179).
The occurrence of Al-Qisaas is due to an ‘Illah that has been understood from the Shar’iy Nass (text) and this is it’s being (or representing) life (Hayaat) and it is not because it brought about a Maslahah or repelled a Mafsadah.
Consequently, the claims that the Shar’a has considered the Masaalih (interests) as the ‘Illah (reasoning) for the Ahkaam are claims devoid of proof and evidence. There is nothing that indicates and guides to it within the Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah; whether in the Ahkaam which contain an ‘Illah or those which do not contain and ‘Illah.
For this reason, it is not permissible to say that Zinaa was prohibited to repel a Mafsadah and Al-Jihaad was made obligatory because it is a Maslahah. That is not said because the Shar’iy text did not say that at all and that was not understood from it whether in its Mantooq (explicitly expressed meaning) or its Mafhoom (implied meaning). The claims are therefore Baatil (False, invalid) and contrary to the Shar’a and the reality.
As for considering what the Hukm has indicated and guided to as a Maslahah or repelling of a Mafsadah or considering that which the ‘Illah Ash-Shar’iyah has guided to as a Maslahah or repelling of a Mafsadah, then this is only in accordance to the view of the Muslim and the Islamic society. As for the non-Muslim then he does not see that because a matter or thing being a Maslahah or repelling of a Mafsadah only stems from the viewpoint in life. Consequently, that which the Shar’a has mentioned in the text in terms of Ibaahah (permissibility), or the Fard or the Mandoob, then in the viewpoint of the Muslim it represents a Maslahah because the Shaari’ has brought a text for it. This is whilst what the Shaari’ has made Haraam represents a Mafsadah because the Shaari’ has stated that.
Therefore, it is the Nass (text) that defines and specifies the Maslahah and the Mafsadah in the Muslim’s view and it is not the Maslahah that specifies the Hukm. That is because the Hukm alone explains that a matter is Haraam, or a matter is Mubaah, Makrooh, Fard or Mandoob whilst it does not explain that such a matter is a Maslahah or Mafsadah. It is rather only the Muslim who interprets that (according to his viewpoint in life).
3 – As for the Ahkaam that they cited as examples for Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah, then they are not indicative of a Maslahah ‘Aqliyah (rational or intellectual interest). Rather each of them is based upon a Daleel Shar’iy:
Therefore, the compilation of the Qur’aan in the time of Abu Bakr (ra) and the making of a copy in the time of ‘Uthmaan (ra) due to the fear of it being lost and due to differences amongst the Muslims in respect to its recitation, was based upon a Qaa’idah Shar’iyah (Legal principal) that the Messenger of Allah (saw) mentioned:
لاَ ضَرَرَ وَلاَ ضِرَارَ
There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm (Ahmad).
The fear of losing the Qur’aan and the difference in its recitation only represented a Darar (harm) that the Khalifah of the Muslims removed based on the text of the above mentioned Hadeeth An- Nabawiy and it is not built upon Maslahah whilst the Sahaabah (rah) held a consensus (Ijmaa’) upon that.
As for pouring out the milk (by ‘Umar (ra)) that had been mixed with water in an act of deception then this was a punishment for the one who defrauds or cheats who has contravened the Qawl of the Messenger (saw):
مَنْ غَشَّ فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا
Whoever cheats (defrauds) us is not from us (Muslim and At- Tirmidhi).
The punishment manifested in the pouring out of the fraudulent milk was from the Ta’zeer (discretionary punishment) and it is a punishment that the Shar’a has approved of and made its evaluation up to the Khalifah or the Qaadi (judge) where he evaluates it as he sees. This punishment does not represent a Hukm Shar’iy the Daleel of which is the Maslahah but rather it is a Hukm Shar’iy the Daleel of which is the Sunnah. It has been related that the Messenger of Allah (saw), upon seeing a pile of wheat, extended his hand in it and found that it was wet. So he said to the one whose pile it was: What is this? He replied: The sky rained upon us. So he (saw) said: Place the wet in sight (visibly). “Whoever cheats us is not from us” (Muslim and At-Tirmidhi). Therefore, the Ta’zeer of the Messenger (saw) was by way of speech whilst the Ta’zeer of ‘Umar was by pouring out the fraudulent milk.
4 – Verily Allah Ta’Aalaa says in Soorat ul-Hashr:
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
And whatever the Messenger has brought to you take it and whatever he has forbidden you refrain from it (Al-Hashr 7).
This is whilst the Messenger (saw) did not come with Al-Maslahah Al-Mursalah and that is because those who adopt it admit that these Masaalih do not have a specific text for them from the Shar’a. Therefore, the Messenger (saw) did not come with them and consequently it is not permissible to adopt them or to consider them as a Daleel Shar’iy for the Hukm (legal ruling). (Note: That is because the Noble Aayah commands the Muslims to only take that which the Messenger (saw) came with i.e. that which has a text).
- There are, in addition to the above, other evidences establishing Al- Masaalih Al-Mursalah to be invalid as a proof and we mentioned them previously under the heading of: “The evidences of those who did not adopt Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah” and so it is possible to refer back to and then add those arguments to these four.
Examples of the applied usage of Al-Masaalih Al- Mursalah
We have previously mentioned a number of examples of the use of Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah by those who regard it as a Hujjah previously and we will now present other examples to add to them:
Example:
Al-Maalikiyah provided the verdict that it is permissible to appoint the best from the non-Mujtahideen as a Khalifah if there is no Mujtahid in addition to the permissibility to appoint a Khalifah when there is someone better or more merit than him present. That is because it is from the Maslahah of the Muslims for them to have a Khalifah for them and because the absence of a Khalifah leads to a Mafsadah.
Example:
They permitted the Shahaadah (testimony) of the boys against each other in respect to injuries (Jaraahaat) and that is due to the Maslahah. That is because, normally, no one other than them witnesses their playing together. This is even if the Shart (condition) of Buloogh (maturity) is not met in them as that is from amongst the conditions of ‘Adaalah (justness) in respect to the Shaahid (witness).
Example:
Ahmad Bin Hanbal (rh) gave the verdict of banishing the people of Fasaad (corruption) to a land which is secure or safe from their evil and that is due to the Maslahah and Dar‘u-l-Mafsadah (repelling the harm or detrimental matter).
Example:
And he permitted specifying some of the children (to the exclusion of others) for gifts for a specific Maslahah like if for instance he was sick, in need, a parent of children or student of knowledge.
Example:
It is the right of the Haakim (ruler) to compel those monopolising to sell what they have at a similar price (i.e. market price) when the people are in (dire) need of it (i.e. a Daroorah for them).
Example:
The opinion of Abu Haneefah (rh) in respect to the permissibility of damaging or destroying that which the fighters are incapable of carrying with them in terms of the booty or spoils of war like provisions and animals, so that the enemy cannot benefit from them and then use them against the Muslims. As such the goods and provisions are burnt, the animals are slaughtered and their meat is burnt.
Example:
Craftsmen guaranteeing what is destroyed under their hands (or supervision) in terms of the property of the people like cloth and wood unless the destruction or ruining was due to an overpowering force. This is despite their hands representing a hand of trust (Amaanah) and the Messenger of Allah (saw) saying:
لَا ضَمَانَ عَلَى مُؤْتَمَنٍ
There is no liability upon the thing that has been entrusted (Ad- Daaruqutniy).
In spite of that the Maslahah dictates this Hukm (ruling) so that they (the workers) are not lax in respect to safeguarding the property of the people.
Example:
The permissibility of imposing taxes upon the rich if the Bait ul-Maal (treasury) is empty of the required wealth to face the essential expenditures of the state, like meeting the needs of the soldiers for instance, until the time that wealth comes into the Bait ul-Maal or there is within it that which is sufficient.
Example:
Al-Imaam Maalik permitted the beating or hitting of the one accused of theft to get him to talk and considered that to represent a Maslahah. Al-Imaam Al-Ghazaaliy responded to that saying: “This Maslahah is in opposition to another Maslahah and that is the Maslahah of the one who is being hit. It is possible that he is innocent of the crime and not hitting the guilty is less of a matter than striking the innocent”.
My opinion and comment in regards to the previous examples
Most of the Ahkaam mentioned in the previous examples are based upon a Daleel Shar’iy from the Kitaab, the Sunnah or the Ijmaa’ As- Sahaabah.
So the permissibility of appointing a Khalifah when there is somebody who has greater merit is due to the conditions of the contraction of the Khilafah being met by him in the case where being a Mujtahid are not from amongst those conditions. The Sahaabah (rah) gave the Bai’ah to ‘Uthmaan Ibn ‘Affaan (ra) even though some of them viewed that ‘Ali Ibn Abi Taalib was better than him. None rebuked them for that and as such it represented an Ijmaa’ which represents a considered source from sources of the Islamic legislation.
As for banishing the people of Fasaad, then ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (ra) banished Nasr Bin Al-Hajjaaj and no one rebuked him for that and as such it represents an Ijmaa’ of the Sahaabah which is a Daleel and not a Maslahah.
As for destroying or ruining that which is most likely to be believed to give strength to the enemy, then the Muslims destroyed the palm trees of Bani An-Nadeer. Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
مَا قَطَعْتُم مِّن لِّينَةٍ أَوْ تَرَكْتُمُوهَا قَائِمَةً عَلَىٰ أُصُولِهَا فَبِإِذْنِ اللَّـهِ وَلِيُخْزِيَ الْفَاسِقِينَ
Whatever you have cut down of [their] palm trees or left standing on their trunks - it was by permission ofAllah and so He would disgrace the defiantly disobedient (Al-Hashr:5 ).
In respect to the permission to tax the rich if the Bait ul-Maal doesn’t have the necessary sufficient funds to meet the expenditures which are obligatory upon the State, then this is taken from the Khalifah’s obligation to foster and take care of the affairs of the people and from the principle:
ما لا يتم الواجب إلا به فهو واجب
‘That which the Waajib is not completed except with it is (in itself) Waajib’
This Qaa’idah (principle) is a Qaa’idah Shar’iyah deduced from the texts of the Kitaab and the Sunnah.
As for guaranteeing what is destroyed under the hand of the craftsmen without any shortcoming (or negligence) from them then the Messenger of Allah (saw) has forbidden such a guarantee in the Hadeeth:
لَا ضَمَانَ عَلَى مُؤْتَمَنٍ
There is no liability upon the thing that has been entrusted (Ad- Daaruqutniy).
In regards to hitting the one accused in order to get him to confess then Al-Ghazaaliy refuted that in addition to the existence of the Qaa’idah Al-Fiqhiyyah (Fiqhi principle):
الأصل براءة الذمة
‘The origin is the innocence of the responsibility’.
And the Qaa’idah:
البينة على المدعي واليمين على من أنكر
‘The proof is upon the one making the claim and the Yameen (oath) is upon the one who denies (it)’ (Al-Baihaqi in a Saheeh Isnaad).
It is therefore not permitted to strike or hit someone to extract a confession.
As for compelling those who have monopolised to sell what they have at a similar cost (i.e. market price) then this represents the removal of a harm (Darar) that has afflicted the Ummah as a result of their monopolising of the commodities. It is therefore the right of the Khalifah or Haakim (ruler) to remove this harm due to the Qawl of the Messenger (saw):
لاَ ضَرَرَ وَلاَ ضِرَارَ
There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm (Ahmad).
It is therefore a Hukm that is taken from the Nass (text).

The relationship between Al-Maslahah Al-Mursalah and Al-Istihsaan
1 – Al-Istihsaan comes together with Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah which were taken by Al-Imaam Maalik and that is because Al-Istihsaan represented the outweighing of the Qiyaas Khafiy over the Qiyaas Jalliy (apparent/evident analogy) due to the appearance of the Maslahah within the Qiyaas Al-Khafiy (hidden/concealed analogy). He also took a Maslahah Juz’iyah (partial interest) in opposition to a Qiyaas Kulliy (comprehensive Qiyaas).
2 – Al-Istihsaan in the opinion of Al-Imaam Ash-Shaafi’iy who declared it invalid and in the opinion of Al-Imaam Maalik who used it, incorporated and covered the Masaalih Al-Mursalah within it. Al- Imaam Maalik said: “Al-Istihsaan is nine tenths of Al-‘Ilm (knowledge)” and then said: “And Al-Istihsaan that is restricted to opposing the Qiyaas by the Maslahah counts for a negligible amount (of its usage)”.
3 – Al-Istihsaan and Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah according to the view of those who used it as a proof is based upon Al-Qiyaas. That is because Al-Istihsaan represents the departure from a Qiyaas Jalliy to a Qiyaas Khafiy or the departure from Qiyaas to adopting based on the Daroorah (necessity) and the Maslahah (interest) to remove the hardship (Haraj). The Jins (type/kind) of Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah is measured (analogised) upon the Jins (type) of the Masaalih Ad- Darooriyah (essential or necessary interests) that the Shar’a has mentioned like the preservation of the Nafs, Maal, Nasl, ‘Aql and Deen (life, property, progeny, mind and Deen).
4 – Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah and Al-Istihsaan according to the definition of each of them are not based upon an explicit (Sareeh) text from the Sharee’ah texts but are rather based upon a semblance (Shubhat) of a Daleel that the ‘Ulamaa have seen or perceived between the lines of the Sharee’ah texts.
5 – Al-Istihsaan and Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah according to those who uphold it are both established upon the basis of removing or lifting Al-Haraj (the hardship or difficulty), acquiring the Maslahah and repelling the Mafsadah.
6 – The majority of the Maalikiyah view that there exists a clear difference between the two. That is that Al-Istihsaan occurs in the case where the subject of the Mas’alah (issue) is subservient to the Qiyaas and so in that case the Istihsaan comes negating that Qiyaas. As for the Maslahah Al-Mursalah, then it, in its branch issues, represents a Daleel for these issues (Masaa’il) in the case when there is no Daleel other than it.
As for Ash-Shaatibi then he viewed that there is no difference between them.
The relationship between Al-Istihsaan and Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah can therefore be summed up in the following points:
- They have a connection with Al-Qiyaas. - They give consideration and regard to the lifting of the Haraj (hardship/difficulty) from the people. - The purpose of them is to bring or acquire the Masaalih and repel the Mafaasid. - Each of them has a Shubhat (semblance) of a Daleel.
Note: The Ahkaam derived from the Daleel of Al-Masaalih Al- Mursalah are considered to be Ahkaam Shar’iyah and in particular those Ahkaam derived by the Imaams from the ‘Ulamaa like Al- Imaam Maalik and Al-Imaam Abu Haneefah (Note: May be Al-Imaam Ahmad Bin Hanbal was intended here). That is because they had a Shubhat of a Daleel for these Ahkaam and also because many of these Ahkaam, as we explained earlier when refuting the Masaalih Al- Mursalah, are actually based upon a text from the Kitaab, the Sunnah or Ijmaa (As-Sahaabah). They are however not binding for the one who does not consider them to represent a Hujjah (proof and evidence) for the legislation.
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Shaikh Muhammad Hussein Abdullah
Al-Waadih Fee Usool ul- Fiqh