Q: What is the meaning of “al-umur bimaqasidiha” and how does it affect rulings?
A: It means:
“Matters are judged by their intentions.”
This principle allows scholars to consider:
- A person’s purpose
- The context and risk
- Whether the action is done to facilitate riba or to protect from harm
Does “maqasid” mean intention?
Not exactly.
- Maqasid (المقاصد) = objectives, goals, or purposes
- Niyyah (النية) = intention
So in Arabic:
- “Al-umur bimaqasidiha” literally means: “Matters are according to their purposes or objectives.”
But in usul al-fiqh (Islamic legal theory), this maxim often overlaps with the idea that intention determines the legal ruling of an action — which is why it’s sometimes explained in connection with niyyah.
So why is this maxim linked to intention?
Because in many cases, the goal or purpose (maqsid) behind an action reveals the true intention, and that affects whether the action is valid, halal, haram, etc.
Summary:
- Maqasid = goals or purposes (not exactly the same as intention)
- But in this maxim, the goal often reflects the person’s intention, so scholars use it to judge actions based on what the person really meant.
So, the meaning could also be “matters are judged based upon their end goal”