Family Planning and Progeny as a means of enacting the Maqāsid al- Sharī’ah: A Critical analysis of the positions of Gamal Eldin Attia, Abul Faḍl Moḥsin Ebrāḥīm and ‘Abdel Raḥīm Omrān

Abstract

This study will research one of the objectives of Maqāsid al- Sharī’ah (Objectives of the Islamic Law) namely Ḥifẓ al-Nasl better known as the protection of progeny as well as family planning. 1. Sharī’ah (Islamic Law) has provided the principles that govern any human activity and ensures protection of life, ease and pleasure. The Qur’ān and the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) both emphasize flexibility and general principles and guidelines that may be applied to all areas of life. Thus, issues relating to marriage, protection of progeny, sexuality, and even contraception in Islām have also been accommodated in the Qur’ān and Sunnah. Moreover, contraception in relation to family planning have a long history in Islām and has significance within the broader Islamic ethos of marriage and sexuality. This study aims to sketch the historical development of Maqāsid al-Sharī’ah as well as its formulation and subsequent development.