Maṣāliḥ, pl. of Maṣlaḥa

The term “maṣlaḥa” in Arabic, or “maṣlaḥat” in Turkish and Persian encompasses the notions of advantage, public interest, utility, well-being, and welfare, contrasting with concepts like “mafsada” and “maḍarra,” which signify public disadvantage and harm. It denotes both the physical and spiritual well-being of individuals and the public, aiming to promote their welfare in this world. Although the word “maṣlaḥa” does not appear in the Qur’an, its derivatives are used frequently, and some Muslim scholars equate it with synonymous Qur’anic terms. Scholars argue that religious edicts and divine commands are instituted to procure and safeguard the well-being (“maṣlaḥa/maṣāliḥ”) of humanity, drawing upon theological premises that emphasize God’s ultimate goodness and concern for human well-being. This perspective has led to the development of methodologies for interpreting religious texts and rules for addressing issues not explicitly covered in the Qur’an or Ḥadith, often generating debates within Islamic legal theory concerning the historical context of religious injunctions and their potential interference with divine commands.