Item 3 in Five Essentials of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa
Preservation of intellect
Protect reason, education and the capacity for sound judgement.
- Position
- 3
- Form
- Mixed formulation
- Obligation
- Context-dependent
- Wording status
- Translation
- Intended audience
- Jurists, scholars and communities reasoning about the purposes of Islamic law
- Last reviewed
- 28 June 2027
Names and terminology
Canonical name: Ḥifẓ al-ʿaql
Original term: Ḥifẓ al-ʿaql
Transliteration: Ḥifẓ al-ʿaql
Source wording
<p>Protect reason, education and the capacity for sound judgement.</p><p><em>Editorial paraphrase; consult the linked source for full wording and context.</em></p>
Literal meaning
Protect reason, education and the capacity for sound judgement.
Broader interpretation
Protect reason, education and the capacity for sound judgement.
Historical context
This principle belongs to Five Essentials of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa and must be read within that framework's setting.
Practical meaning
Protect reason, education and the capacity for sound judgement.
Ethical purpose
Protect reason, education and the capacity for sound judgement.
Exceptions and disputes
The framework is a juristic synthesis, not a single Qur'anic list, and applications differ significantly.
Variations across schools or traditions
Some formulations add honour or dignity, while contemporary scholars debate freedom, justice, environment and rights as independent objectives.
Modern application
Protect reason, education and the capacity for sound judgement. Modern application should consider consent, evidence, proportionality, power and consequences.
Criticism and difficult cases
The framework is a juristic synthesis, not a single Qur'anic list, and applications differ significantly.
Truth By Reason analysis
Protect reason, education and the capacity for sound judgement. Application should preserve the ethical purpose while avoiding coercion, discrimination and preventable harm.
Ethical themes
Sources
- The Higher Objectives of Islamic Law Primary source