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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness In The Maqasid Al-Shari‘ah – Yasir Qadhi & Yaser Birjas

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The 2009 46th Annual ISNA Convention’s theme was entitled “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Taking on the theme in an Islamically academic manner, Shaykh Yasir Qadhi and Shaykh Yaser Birjas spoke at a session entitled Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness In The Maqasid Al-Shari‘ah.

The description for the session in the convention’s program was as follows:

Many people assume that “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” is a distinctly American phenomenon. While it is indeed an American phenomenon, the Islamic Shariah has delineated these concepts from its very inception, and enshrined them in its overall goals. In this lecture, the speakers will show that far from being un-Islamic values, these values form the very core of being a true Muslim.

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Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

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Sh. Dr. Yasir Qadhi is someone that believes that one's life should be judged by more than just academic degrees and scholastic accomplishments. Friends and foe alike acknowledge that one of his main weaknesses is ice-cream, which he seems to enjoy with a rather sinister passion. The highlight of his day is twirling his little girl (a.k.a. "my little princess") round and round in the air and watching her squeal with joy. A few tid-bits from his mundane life: Sh. Yasir has a Bachelors in Hadith and a Masters in Theology from Islamic University of Madinah, and a PhD in Islamic Studies from Yale University. He is an instructor and Dean of Academic Affairs at AlMaghrib, and the Resident Scholar of the Memphis Islamic Center.

26 Comments

26 Comments

  1. 'Uthmaan

    January 13, 2010 at 4:37 AM

    JazakAllahu Khayran. I don’t suppose we could have a transcript posted up at some point, could we?

    Reply

    • servant of Allah

      January 16, 2010 at 8:26 AM

      Assalamu alaikum,

      I wrote up much of what Yasir Qadhi said, because I plan to use this to inform other people of the amount of pride we should have with Islam.
      But it is very poor in grammar and sentence structure. I basically typed up how he spoke, so expect a lot of squiggly lines in the Word document.
      Reply to this comment and lemme know if you want a copy.

      Wassalam.

      Reply

  2. Muslim Apple

    January 13, 2010 at 8:24 AM

    Ma sha Allah, tabarakAllah. That’s great, very inspirational, a number of books and articles to add to my reading list, and I do hear the beckoning of law school, in sha Allah. This is the one lecture that I regretted missing at this past ISNA convention.

    Does anyone have the Arabic text of the phrase by Ribee ibn Amr (that begins around 53.39): We came to take the people out of the worship of other created beings and into the worship of the Creator and from the constrictiveness of this world to the vastness of the hereafter.

    Reply

    • Amatullah

      January 13, 2010 at 9:39 AM

      جئنا نخرج العباد من عبادة العباد إلى عبادة رب العباد، ومن ضيق الدنيا إلى سعة الآخرة

      Reply

      • Muslim Apple

        January 13, 2010 at 11:50 AM

        Sweet deal, Amatullah, thanks, jazakillahu khayran.

        Reply

        • Amatullah

          January 14, 2010 at 12:54 PM

          wa iyyaki :)

          Reply

      • Arif Kabir

        January 14, 2010 at 1:55 PM

        Shaykh Shpendim used this statement as proof that Islam is against slavery. SubhanAllah, it truly is powerful…

        Reply

        • Ibrahim

          January 14, 2010 at 9:52 PM

          Can you clarify what br. Shpendim said? You do understand that the way you mention it br. Shpendim is very very wrong and it’s kufr to say so.

          Reply

  3. Ibn AbuAisha

    January 13, 2010 at 9:38 AM

    Assalamu Alaikum Ya Shaykhana,

    BarakAllahu Feekum for the enlightening talks. May Allah reward you both and your families with the BEST in this Dunya and the Aakhirah.

    Insha Allah looking forward to seeing you in Toronto Shaykh Yasir (for a 2nd PP after taking it in Houston :)). SubhanAllah, see this – http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8455897.stm

    May Allah reward the Brother with pearls and palaces in Jannah for his honesty.

    Reply

    • ms

      January 13, 2010 at 2:17 PM

      jazak Allaah khayr.

      no wonder bangladeshis are considered the happiest ( read content with what they have in general) people…

      Reply

  4. alhamdulillah

    January 13, 2010 at 10:49 AM

    Jazakum Allah Al ferdous ya Sheikh…

    Reply

  5. Ibn Masood

    January 14, 2010 at 12:19 PM

    mashaAllah what a monumental lecture! We all know that post-renaissance social sciences have roots in the Shariah but no one has ever (at least in my limited knowledge) bridged the gap with concrete details like this… It’s great to see it explained here by knowledgeable people mashaAllah, and makes a great primer before reading more into Maqasid Ash-Shariah!

    I will be checking out those papers that Sheikh Yasir mentioned :) BarakAllahu feekum!

    Reply

  6. Joyhamza

    January 14, 2010 at 12:56 PM

    Assalamu ‘Alaikum,

    Nice informative and heart warming lectures from both the shaykh. The way they approached this and complemented each other is also very commendable.

    If Shaykh Yasir is reading this then this question is to him. I thought that you guys should have discussed a little bit about Imam Tahir bin ‘Ashur, the renowned Tunisian Mufassir and Usuli? He seems to have emphasized these principles and wrote an actual book naming “Maqasidus shariyah”. Not mentioning him seems like a missing link in such a discussion perhaps. Allahu A’alam.

    Reply

  7. Zeemar

    January 14, 2010 at 5:00 PM

    Salam Shaikh Yasir,

    It seems to me that nowadays in order to have one’s voice heard or even credited for Islam, the “experts” in this country require that you must have some sort of high-level secular degree (usually a social sciences degree). Although I find it contradictory that they don’t require that social sciences experts have Islamic degrees to talk about Islam.

    I am considering doing a Masters in something. I have already completed my B.S. in Information Technology alhamdulillah. But I want to focus on something that the Muslim world is lacking in and desperately is in need especially in this country. I’ve heard from you and others claiming that it is indeed social science degrees that we as Muslims in this country need to pursue. Could you provide some advice on this issue to me as to what should I go forward with? I want to go forward with something that the ummah in this country is in need of. I was considering a Masters in Psychology or Anthropology. Some have even told me that the Muslims should pursue Finance and Business degrees as they are lacking in it also.

    Lastly, I was considering taking classes with Arees Institute. I have also taken classes with Amin University. I do take Al-Maghrib classes actively but in your opinion other that Al-Maghrib which university in this country is best to pursue Islamic sciences degrees for those who cannot travel overseas?

    Jazzak Allah Khair

    Reply

  8. Faraz Omar

    January 15, 2010 at 3:05 PM

    Salaam alaikum,

    The lectures were masha Allah beneficial. However they left many questions unanswered (at least to my mind). An example of what kind of fiqh that would be particular to the minority society would have made things very clear. What were those controversial rulings of Imam Shatabi for instance?

    What would be “the controversial” rulings for the West now? What are the “unique” challenges that Muslims in a non-Muslim country face… etc.

    Another question… what are the limits of the rulings derived from the maqasid (are there limits)? Can the rulings for instance overrule an explicit divinely revealed law that is mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah?

    One would say the example of Umar RA who temporarily did not cut the hands of thieves due to famine.

    But what are its implications, boundaries, rules? Who will keep a check of it? What would separate the line between rules of convenience and rules that are genuinely derived?

    That scholars would supersede the laws of the Qur’an and Sunnah is difficult to digest, despite its proof being derived from the Qur’an and Sunnah itself. Or do you think it should just be left for practical issues that should be tackled as and when they arrive… instead of laying down a framework?

    These are genuine questions… which i hope will be answered. Examples would be very beneficial.

    Reply

  9. IbnAbdullah

    January 16, 2010 at 12:22 PM

    I am happy to see the Shaykhayn start moving away from their Ikhwani ideology.

    Reply

    • Ibn Masood

      January 16, 2010 at 3:18 PM

      What Ikhwaani ideology?

      Reply

  10. IbnAbdullah

    January 16, 2010 at 1:10 PM

    I advise everyone to listen to an important lecture given by a student of knowledge in Saudi.

    Salafee Condemnation of the Fort Hood Shooting and a Disavowal of Anwar al-Awlaki:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2aEhx3JCxw

    Reply

    • Mansoor Ansari

      January 16, 2010 at 3:29 PM

      The problem with most salafis ( of the salafipubs brand) is that they condemn anyone who disagree with the Saudi govt & their paymasters.

      Reply

      • Abu Yunus

        January 21, 2010 at 10:52 PM

        That’s another takfiri misconception spread by gullible Muslims

        Reply

        • abdullah

          March 30, 2010 at 8:03 AM

          @ abu yunus may allah reward with good

          Reply

  11. Pingback: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness in the Maqasid Al-Shari'ah - IB Islamic Forum

  12. Mariyah

    March 30, 2010 at 6:22 AM

    Some Tafseer Lectures at: http://www.quraniclesson.com

    –

    Reply

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