The objectives of Islamic law from documentation to codification

Abu Al-Qasim bin Ahmed bin Ibrahim Mismali. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers. After: This book is considered a purposive study aimed at identifying the reasons and characteristics that contributed to the construction of the purpose-based approach, and to identify the most prominent scholars of the objectives of Sharia during this period – from the 4th Hijri century to the modern era – and to introduce them, gather the most important works in the science of the objectives of Islamic law, and study the purposive topics through an analytical approach during the stages of documentation and codification. It also clarifies what distinguished the science of the objectives in these stages, what can be observed about it, and monitors the various influences on the science of the objectives of Sharia. The study began with an introduction in which the researcher defined the science of the objectives of Sharia, explained its importance, and its divisions. Then, it proceeded to explain the building of the science of the objectives of Sharia through two stages: the first stage is documentation, and the second is codification. Each stage included an explanation of the reasons, characteristics, and the most prominent scholars. The study also did not neglect the analytical aspect of the purposive topics among the scholars of the objectives of Sharia in each stage, by discussing their methodology, the topics they addressed, what distinguished them, the additions they previously clarified, what was unique to them in terms of purposive topics, what could be criticized, and whom they were influenced by. This was carried out using a descriptive and analytical approach through the inductive study of sources and references, both old and new, and by clarifying issues with appropriate explanations, paying attention to documentation, and clarifying ambiguous terms. The study also included two main chapters: the first covers the stages through which the science of the objectives of Sharia was formed, which are in two phases: the first is documentation, and the second is codification. The second chapter is an analytical study of the topics of the objectives of Sharia during the stages of documentation and codification. The study concluded with a summary stating that the true beginning of documenting the science of the objectives of Sharia was with the book "Al-Burhan fi Usul al-Fiqh" by Imam Al-Juwayni, may Allah have mercy on him. The development of the science of the objectives of Sharia appeared through the book "Al-Muwafaqat fi Usul al-Sharia" by Imam Al-Shatibi, may Allah have mercy on him. The intrinsic connection between the science of the objectives of Sharia and the science of Usul al-Fiqh is evident; there is no separation between them. The purposive classification has gone through phases that include excess, neglect, and moderation. The purposive discourse was influenced by contemporary intellectual and philosophical studies, as well as by pragmatic expansion, considering that reason is the origin and source of doctrinal and practical issues. The study recommended that the science of the objectives of Sharia needs a historical study to clarify its status, and that a reflective study of the methodology of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, in implementing the purposive approach, would help reduce ongoing disagreements among scholars.