A Critical Analysis of ‘Al-Miḥwar’: Maqāṣid al-Al-Syarī ‘ah as the Islamic Alternative to Human Rights
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24252/al-daulah.v15i1.67283Abstract
Research Objective: The discourse of Islam and human rights, focusing on the role of Maqāṣid al-Syarī ‘ah as an alternative framework for understanding Islam's perspective on the intrinsic inviolability of human beings, through a critical evaluation of Al-Miḥwar 's treatment of ḥuqūq al-insān. Research Method: A qualitative, library-based critical-textual analysis was conducted on the primary text Ḥuqūq al-insān Al-Miḥwar Maqāṣid al-Syarī ‘ah, an anthology comprising three independently authored chapters by Shaykh Aḥmad Raysuni, Shaykh Muḥammad Al-Zuḥaylī, and Shaykh Muḥammad ‘Uthmān Shabīr, triangulated against classical Maqāṣid al-Syarī ‘ah scholarship and contemporary human-rights-theory literature. Results: Al-Miḥwar highlights a clear distinction between ḥuqūq al-insān and 'human rights' as separate concepts, and contends that Maqāṣid al-Al-Syarī‘ah provides a solid foundation for identifying and safeguarding the intrinsic inviolable aspects of human beings, surpassing current human rights discourse. Findings and Implications: Al-Miḥwar 's central claim that ḥuqūq al-insān and human rights diverge because they proceed from irreconcilable sources of authority is found defensible and consistent with classical maqāṣid scholarship, while three areas requiring further development are identified: the consequences of this divergence, Al-Miḥwar's relationship with international human rights law, and the precise linguistic construction of ḥaqq relative to 'rights.' Conclusion: Al-Miḥwar constitutes a substantial scholarly contribution, positioned to serve as a pivotal center (Al-Miḥwar) for advancing discourse and formulating an authentic Islamic alternative to human rights. Contribution: Beyond summarizing Al-Miḥwar, this paper offers the first sustained critical engagement with the book in English-language scholarship, demonstrates the analytical value of classical Arabic lexicography for explaining rights-duty relations in Islamic thought, and identifies concrete directions for future research. Limitations and Suggestions: As a qualitative, text-based critical analysis of a single primary source, this study does not empirically test the reconstructed ḥuqūq al-insān framework in applied legal or policy settings; future comparative and socio-legal research is suggested to pursue this.
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