Siyasah shar‘iyyah and maqāṣid al-sharīʿa: Integrating law and political power in Islamic political thought

Irfan Islami (Universitas YARSI, Jakarta, Indonesia)

Mishkat: Journal of Theology and Civilization
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): Mishkat: Journal of Theology and Civilization

The relationship between law and political power in Islam becomes problematic when governmental policies must respond to social needs that are not always addressed by detailed textual rules. This study aims to analyze the integration of law and political power through al-siyāsa al-sharʿiyya and maqāṣid al-sharīʿa by bringing together the political thought of al-Māwardī, al-Ghazālī, Ibn Taymiyya, and Ibn Khaldūn. The study employs a literature-based approach using historical-conceptual and comparative analysis of the four thinkers’ major works and relevant supporting literature. The findings show that al-siyāsa al-sharʿiyya provides political authorities with room to formulate policies according to social and political needs, while maqāṣid al-sharīʿa provides normative direction through justice, public welfare, and the prevention of harm. The study contributes by positioning both concepts as complementary mechanisms for evaluating the exercise of political power rather than merely legitimizing governmental authority. Abstrak Hubungan hukum dan kekuasaan dalam politik Islam menghadapi persoalan ketika kebijakan pemerintahan harus merespons kebutuhan masyarakat yang tidak selalu memiliki aturan tekstual yang rinci. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis integrasi hukum dan kekuasaan melalui al-siyāsa al-sharʿiyya dan maqāṣid al-sharīʿa dengan mempertemukan pemikiran al-Māwardī, al-Ghazālī, Ibn Taymiyya, dan Ibn Khaldūn. Penelitian menggunakan studi kepustakaan dengan pendekatan historis-konseptual dan analisis komparatif terhadap karya-karya utama keempat pemikir serta literatur pendukung. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa al-siyāsa al-sharʿiyya menyediakan ruang bagi penguasa untuk merumuskan kebijakan sesuai kebutuhan sosial-politik, sedangkan maqāṣid al-sharīʿa memberikan arah dan ukuran normatif melalui keadilan, kemaslahatan, dan pencegahan kerusakan. Kontribusi penelitian terletak pada penempatan keduanya sebagai mekanisme yang saling melengkapi untuk menilai penggunaan kekuasaan, bukan sekadar sebagai dasar legitimasi pemerintahan.