The Fundamentals (Usul) of Maqasidi Tafsir

Abstract

This article discusses the topic of maqasid-based tafsir (exegesis) by investigating its origin based on the founding studies of early exegetes, and the renewed insights of the modern and contemporary maqasidi scholars and exegetes at the level of conceptualisation and applications. This paper aims to bring to light that the maqasid-based exegesis is not completely different from the early heritage of exegesis, nor is it different from the renewed exegesis in every era and place. Rather, it deserved such depiction because of the extra focus on maqasid and profound consideration of its implementation and activation. Moreover, this paper deliberates the rules, regulations, and conditions related to maqasid-based exegesis which are not exclusive to it, but they are part of the general rules and fundamentals of exegesis that guide the exegetes in dealing with the maqasid of the Holy Qur’an, which we consider as rational fundamentals of exegesis because they are related to the spectrum of reflection and independent reasoning.