Maqasidization of Knowledge: From Insight to Action

By DR. SHAYA'A OTHMAN

Senior Academy Fellow

International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)
East and South East Asia Regional Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Founder of Universal Islamic Cyber Education Centre, Global Network (Uni-ICE)

The following article is a summary of the contents of this 300-page book .

For those who would like to have a copy of this book in the future, an eBook may be emailed to

sottoman@gmail.com

Abstract

This article introduces the concept of Maqasidization of Knowledge as a new paradigm that bridges revealed Islamic principles and contemporary fields of knowledge. Moving beyond the earlier paradigms of Islamization and Integration of Knowledge, Maqasidization emphasises the operationalisation of the higher objectives of Shari‘ah (maqasid al-shari‘ah) in guiding human action. The paper explores its application in three critical domains: the global economy, cyber education, and the challenges of artificial intelligence. It concludes by presenting Maqasidization as both an intellectual framework and a practical movement for justice, sustainability, and human flourishing. The argument is supported by classical scholarship, contemporary research, and recent works that emphasise the preservation of intellect and values in the AI era.

1. Introduction: A Crisis of Knowledge and Action

We live in an age of paradox. Humanity has more information at its fingertips than ever before in history, yet the crises of inequality, climate change, political instability, and cultural fragmentation deepen. Knowledge has multiplied, but wisdom seems to have diminished. Education has expanded, but action remains misdirected or unjust. As the first Caliph, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, once said: “Knowledge without action is useless; action without knowledge is futile” (Rahman, 1982). This paradox lies at the heart of the global crisis. Secular paradigms — whether socialism, liberalism, or capitalism — have attempted to shape societies through ideology, but they have not solved the fundamental problems of justice, sustainability, or human dignity.

2. What is Maqasidization?

Maqasidization is the process of aligning knowledge, practice, and policy with the higher objectives of Shari‘ah. Traditionally, the maqasid were applied primarily in jurisprudence (fiqh) to ensure laws achieved protection of religion (din), life (nafs), intellect (‘aql), progeny (nasl), and wealth (mal). This work expands the maqasid framework into a holistic strategy: knowledge must not remain abstract but should guide human flourishing; action must not be blind but directed by divine principles; and institutions must not pursue only efficiency but also justice and mercy (Auda, 2008).

3. Why Not Just Islamization or Integration?

Islamization of Knowledge was a pioneering effort initiated by Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas (1978) and Isma‘il al-Faruqi (1982), but it often remained within the theoretical reconstruction of disciplines without sufficient tools for application. The Integration of Knowledge movement, promoted by IIIT, brought dialogue between revelation and science but sometimes blurred distinctiveness, making it harder to translate into policy. Maqasidization of Knowledge builds on both but emphasizes operationalization. It is action-oriented, using maqasid as a compass for decision-making in real-world issues (Dusuki & Bouheraoua, 2011).

4. Applications of Maqasidization

4.1. Economy: Towards a New Global Mainstream

The conventional economy is built on greed, materialism, and unsustainable growth. This has led to inequality, debt crises, and climate collapse. Appendix 1 of the book shows how Maqasidization can create a new global mainstream economy — one that appeals to both Muslims and non-Muslims. Islamic finance, halal industries, and ethical entrepreneurship are not marginal alternatives but seeds of a just global economy (Dusuki & Bouheraoua, 2011).

4.2. Education: Cyber Learning with Purpose

Digital education has revolutionized access, but it risks producing shallow learners and profit-driven models. Appendix 2 demonstrates how maqasid can guide cyber education: ensuring affordability through waqf models, embedding ethics and values in digital curricula, and training teachers and students to balance AI tools with critical thinking (Selwyn, 2016).

4.3. Human Intellect in the AI Era: HI-BRILLIANCE

Perhaps the most urgent challenge today is the rise of artificial intelligence. While AI offers efficiency, it risks 'brain rot' — dependence that erodes creativity, memory, and critical thinking. Appendix 3 introduces HI-BRILLIANCE, a framework to reclaim human ingenuity. Using tools like MAPPICXS (Othman, 2025), it empowers students, parents, and professionals to transform dependency into creativity. The guiding principle is clear: “AI causes brain rot, HI-BRILLIANCE creates brain ingenuity.”

4.4 Leadership and Mercy

One special chapter emphasises the role of leadership in promoting Maqasidization. Leaders, whether national or institutional, must demonstrate that maqasid is not exclusivist but inclusive — bringing justice, peace, and harmony to diverse societies. Just as halal food, Islamic finance, and ethical healthcare are accepted globally, so too can maqasid-based leadership win trust across cultures.

5. Why This Book Matters

This work is not just another academic contribution. It is a roadmap for scholars, educators, and leaders. It is a movement for integrating divine wisdom into modern systems. And it is a call to action for Muslims and non-Muslims to embrace justice, sustainability, and ingenuity.

6. Conclusion: From Insight to Action

The Qur’an reminds us: “Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression” (Qur’an 16:90). This verse captures the essence of maqasid — a call to justice, mercy, and restraint. Maqasidization of Knowledge: From Insight to Action concludes with three appendices that exemplify how this paradigm transforms real life: a just and sustainable economy, a purposeful and ethical education, and a brilliant, human-centred response to the AI era.

This is more than a book. It is a manifesto for a movement. A call for continuous agents of change — lecturers, students, parents, entrepreneurs, administrators — to bring insight into action. As we step into the future, the choice is clear: will knowledge remain abstract, or will it become purposeful? Will AI lead us to intellectual decay, or will HI-BRILLIANCE restore human ingenuity? The answer lies in Maqasidization — where knowledge lives, and action serves humanity.