About Us
The Maqasid Institute (MI) is a non-profit educational and research organization. We believe that Revelation, the Quran and the Sunnah hold the key to understanding our world, each other, and our role in it. We seek the wisdom of the Revelation through research and education, focusing on how we are connected, thrive together, and build a just, wise, and compassionate world. The Institute is based in the USA and operates globally through a network of independent researchers, offices and partner organizations.
Our Vision
A world in which Divine guidance drives life, learning & leadership
Our Mission
- Providing the knowledge and tools that enable scholars in different disciplines to reconstruct thought in their area of specialization via a new Maqasid Methodology;
- Applying the methodology to critical challenges and phenomena impacting our lives and the welfare of the planet;
- Facilitating the application of the Maqasid methodology in personal and community life through the expertise of Maqasid Research Network (MRN) members.
OUR STORY
The core idea that motivated the establishment of Maqasid Institute (MI) is our unwavering belief that Islamic revelation (the Quran and Sunnah) is the fundamental and indispensable source of guidance for Muslims and humanity at large. Through proper education and our lived experience, we have seen how knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah can profoundly and positively transform individual lives and communities.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where many people, even Muslims, are not familiar with these texts either through lack of knowledge, misunderstanding or willful negligence. Many who are familiar or are scholars of Islam, approach the study of the Quran and Sunnah from narrow disciplinary lenses that are not conducive to holistic understandings or reflective of the connectivity that binds all creation in webs of interdependence. This has serious implications for the flourishing of humanity and the welfare of our planet.
We are committed to using our wealth, time, and lives to research, educate, and engage leaders and communities to demonstrate the invaluable guidance available in Islam’s primary texts. Notably, we believe this: all Creation is purposeful, and humans are the guardians of the paths that enable the Creation to achieve their purpose for the well-being of all.
Our challenge when we started was to articulate a methodology that would enable us to share our approach with interested parties and stakeholders. Maqasid scholarship has a long and rich history, so it was easy to begin our work by building on that legacy. At the same time, we needed to develop a robust methodology that would focus on Islamic revelation in contemporary scholarship and practice, while honoring the profound accomplishments and legacy of the great scholars of Islam.
We provide the knowledge and tools that enable scholars in different disciplines to evaluate thought in their area of specialization via our Maqasid methodology, which allows practitioners to enhance their understanding and service. In addition to offering support, our senior scholars and researchers apply the Maqasid methodology to critical challenges and phenomena impacting all of our lives and the welfare of the planet. Maqasid Institute further facilitates the application of the Maqasid methodology in personal and community life through the expertise of Maqasid Research Network (MRN) members.
Maqasid Institute has invested resources in supporting the development of higher education programs that incorporate Maqasid thinking. We offer courses, lectures, and seminars at various institutions around the world where the Maqasid methodology forms the very fabric of educational programming, research, and outcomes.
Witnessing the implementation of the Maqasid methodology by scholars, researchers, students, and practitioners to better understand and address contemporary challenges inspires us and gives us the greatest gratification. All Praise is due to Allah.
Jasser Auda Basma Abdelgafar Zaid Barzinji
OUR GOALS
Promote a paradigm shift towards connectivity and holism
At the heart of MI’s efforts is a comprehensive research methodology that forms the foundation for a paradigm shift to a holistic understanding of Islamic revelation, i.e., Quran and Sunnah, and its connectivity with our world. Our Maqasid Institute Methodology (MI Method. MI Approach) aims to emphasize the purposefulness of all Creation’s interconnectivity, and the role humans can play to realize a better world. MI Methodology places Islamic revelation at the center of the application of human knowledge. Our purpose is to offer an integrative and comprehensive framework and renew Islamic scholarship. The MI Methodology uses a composite framework of seven elements: objectives, concepts, parties, universal laws, values, proofs, and commands. These seven elements are complemented by our unique theoretical approach that enables the construction of multiple, overlapping networks. MI Methodology helps integrate research, education, and projects that can work together to help humanity identify and realize the numerous objectives that our Creator intends for Creation at all levels.
Strengthen our global research network of scholars and practitioners
The global promotion of Maqasid Institute’s research and the further development and practical application of ideas based on MI Methodology and similar thinking require support from individuals and organizations with diverse interests. Our Maqasid Research Network (MRN) is designed to generate a critical mass of theoretical and applied ideas that can accumulate and build on each other to generate new breakthroughs. The network acts as an ecosystem and an environment rich with resources and that is conducive to collaboration, learning, and the production of high-quality research. MRN has experienced strong growth since MI’s inception with over 250 senior researchers at the doctoral level with a total of about 1000 members who enjoy access to special programs, courses, MI materials, experts, and events that enhance their skills in research, and teaching.
Our network also includes offices located in strategic geographic locations around the world that conduct research, teach, train, and collaborate with local and regional organizations to promote Maqasid thinking.
Cultivate partnerships with like-minded organizations
The global promotion of a Maqasid Research Network (MRN) and the application of ideas based on such thought requires support from Maqasid-focused research centers and partnering institutes and organizations. These centers are premier hubs of Maqasid research activities, located in strategic geographic locations around the world fulfilling the following functions: a) conduct research, teach, train, collaborate with local and regional organizations, and provide consultation services, b) provide global perspectives and feedback to further promote and refine research and development throughout MI’s centers and offices, and c) work with and support MI offices, representatives, affiliates, and partner organizations within their geographic sphere.
We believe that MI’s success ultimately depends on the tangible and beneficial impact of our MI Methodology on research and practice for individuals and communities. The impact is magnified through the cultivation of close partnerships with specialized organizations working on the ground in various areas such as women’s leadership, development, public policy, media, education, as well as relief and welfare agencies. We offer our partners: a) education and training activities that deepen their understanding of Maqasid principles and its application, and b) the support necessary to develop organizational strategies that promote their success while upholding the higher principles of the shariah. The partners’ application of MI Methodology will provide valuable feedback to continuously revise and improve Maqasid-based research and thought. All of our partnerships aim to synergize our efforts and promote efficiency, innovation, and diversity of approaches under the umbrella of a shared methodology and framework.