The objectives and principles of Islamic governance : perspective of Imam al-Juwayni

Abstract EN

In a reality of clashing visions and perspectives, vision becomes murky, foundations become shaky, and smoky fumes rule over all.

history tends to repeat itself, so after imam al-Mawardi released his realistic vision justifying Islamic governance in his book al-ahkam al-Sulṭaniyyah, imam al-Juwayni came out with his own book, Ghiyath al-Umam fi tiyath al-Zulam, with a hypothetical mindset, to put in place the foundations and objectives of the shar‘iah for Islamic governance, leadership of the ummah, and strategies to deal with the absence of a mujtahid and leader (imam).

using al-Juwayni’s book, this research aims to demonstrate his unique contributions to this vast subject, which was, and still is, slippery territory both theoretically and practically.

this research uses analytical method to explain the objectives and principles of Islamic governance as explained by imam al-Juwayni in ghiyath al-Umam within the framework of Maqasid al-Shar‘iah.

this study finds that his thought in this field has strong correlation with the concept of Maqasid al-Shar‘iah and can enrich our understanding about Islamic governance.