Maslaha
/məˈslɑːhə/noun
A principle in Islamic jurisprudence that recognizes public benefit or welfare as a basis for legal reasoning.
Did you know?In Islamic legal theory, maslaha can support a ruling when pursuing communal welfare does not conflict with established religious sources.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic era
Proto-Semitic
ṣ-l-ḥ
“A root associated with being sound, whole, right, or reconciled”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ṣalaḥa
“To be sound, right, good, or suitable”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
aṣlaḥa
“To make right, improve, or bring about reconciliation”
Early Islamic period
Arabic
maṣlaḥah
“Benefit, welfare, or an interest that ought to be protected”
Medieval Islamic jurisprudence
Arabic
al-maṣlaḥah al-mursalah
“Unrestricted public interest used in legal reasoning when no specific ruling directly addresses an issue”
Modern English
English
maslaha
“A principle of public welfare in Islamic law”