The Objectives of Islamic Law in the Light of the Qur'an: An Applied Study of the Penal Verses

This research aimed to discuss the objectives of punishments in Islamic Sharia through the verses of legal punishments (hudud), clarifying their concept, and specifically highlighting the purposes and aims of enacting punishments in Islam, which were legislated to preserve the order of life, the major interests of societies, to deter and prevent offenders, and to achieve justice. This particular topic was chosen due to the scarcity of studies focusing on the objectives (maqasid) in relation to the Quran, as the Quran cannot be properly understood without its objectives. The study aimed to examine the verses of hudud and reflect on their objectives to address societal problems, as they encompass the preservation of the five essentials. The research combined several methodologies: partial inductive, descriptive-analytical, and applied methodology. One of the key findings of the research is that the science of maqasid in general, and Quranic objectives specifically, is one of the most noble and important sciences, as it helps Muslims reflect on the verses of the Quran and understand God’s intended purpose, which facilitates applying God’s commands and avoiding what He prohibited. The study recommends expanding the research on Quranic objectives in the area of punishments and applying them to emerging crimes that have arisen due to rapid technological advancements, which have made committing crimes easier. It also recommends translating such objective-based studies into several languages to introduce Islam and its justice and wisdom, and to refute and counter the misconceptions and false claims raised against it.