Objectives of Worship (1)

This book presents the proceedings of the scientific training course titled “Objectives of worship rituals (maqāṣid al-‘ibādāt)” in its first edition. It was organised by the Centre for the Study of the Philosophy of Islamic Law at Al-Furqān Islamic Heritage Foundation (London) in cooperation with the Maqāṣid Centre for Research & Studies (Rabat), and in partnership with the Laboratory for Studies on Thought & Society (LEPS) at the Faculty of Letters & Human Sciences (FLSHJ) of Chouaib Doukkali University in El Jadida. The course was convened on Wednesday and Thursday, 30-31 October 2024, in the hospitable premises of the Faculty of Letters & Human Sciences (FLSHJ) in El Jadida. It was graced by a significant scientific attendance, embodied by an august company of scholars and academics, and a large number of students and researchers.

The course’s principal goal was to invite to a “revival of the sciences of the Religion (iḥyā’ ‘ulūm al-dīn)”, restoring their splendour and potency through “deriving their objectives (taqṣīd)”, i.e. connecting Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) to the objectives (maqāṣid) and higher aims (ghāyāt) of Islamic law, in all aspects—instruction, authorship, novel deduction (istinbāṭ), and application. As such, Islamic law objectives provide jurisprudence with direction, acting as the true compass guiding it in all its issues and questions. This approach aims to transform Islamic jurisprudence from mere preserved heritage to a “living jurisprudence” that is a Muslim’s daily companion and permanent consultant in every matter and circumstance; one that is abreast of developments in the daily life of those subject to the religious duties (mukallafūn); in other words, reviving the objectives of the religious texts in the individual consciousness, with an objectives-based vision, a grounding on Islam’s principal sources, a revivalist perspective, and a functional, operational foresight.

The training course also covered the objectives of worship rituals, such as prayer (ṣalāh), fasting (ṣawm), expiations (kaffārāt), etc., in the ethical, edification, psychological, social, civilizational and values domains. Indeed, it emphasised the balance between strict original rulings (‘azā’im) and rulings of concession (rukhaṣ) in Islamic law. Furthermore, it explained the manner of providing ease (taysīr) in ritual worship, and dealing with emergent cases through appropriate concessions. This reflects the objectives of Islamic law in taking account of actuality and prevailing customs, and removing hardship from those subject to the religious duties. The course focused on the importance of moderation (al-wasaṭiyyah) as both an objective and approach in the rituals of worship that strikes the balance between the needs of body and soul, and averts extremism (ghulūww) and negligence.

In the sphere of social rituals of worship, the objectives of pilgrimage (ḥajj) were analysed specifically, where the Farewell Pilgrimage (ḥajjat al-wadā‘) reflected the unity of the Muslim nation, justice and equality between Muslims, and reinforcing social cohesion. The course also addressed contemporary ritual adherence (al-intiẓām al-ta‘abudī), concentrating on the voluntary pilgrimage (‘umrah), and uniting ritual worship with its objectives, which contributes to activating the behavioural and edification influences on Muslims going about their daily life.

The training course emphasised the importance of connecting Islamic law objectives to the practical reality of those subject to the religious duties, systemising and properly channelling ritual worship to strengthen its effect on the life of individuals and societies, which in turn reinforces the potency of ritual worship, and secures balance between spirituality and practical life.