Al-Maṣaleḥ al-Mursalah and critical analysis of its application in Mass media

Abstract

The fundamental teachings of Islam provide comprehensive guidance that extends universally to all aspects of human life. The Holy Qur’an—interpreted and exemplified through the Sunnah—was revealed as the ultimate source of Sharī‘ah, laying down enduring principles and moral frameworks for humanity’s guidance until the Day of Resurrection. During the era of Khayr al-Qurūn (the best generations), alongside these primary sources, several secondary juristic principles emerged among the Companions and the Tābi‘īn (their successors). Among these were Qiyās (analogical reasoning), Istiḥsān (juristic preference), and Istiṣlāḥ (consideration of public interest)[1]. The significance of these principles transcended their immediate historical context, as they served to ensure that Islamic law remained relevant and adaptable in every age under the supervision of sound legal and ethical principles.

In the modern era, a new manifestation of al-Maṣlaḥ al-Mursalah has appeared in the form of mass media—a field so deeply woven into human life that the modern world seems incomplete and colourless without it. As media has grown into a central institution shaping public opinion, culture, and morality, it has expanded into countless dimensions and disciplines, each carrying profound ethical and social implications. Consequently, the study of al-Maṣlaḥ al-Mursalah and its application within mass media becomes a vital area of scholarly inquiry within Islamic jurisprudence.

In this rapidly evolving media landscape, it is imperative to reassert the boundaries and moral guidance of Sharī‘ah. Without such ethical safeguards, even actions or technologies that appear legitimate may lose their intrinsic value and become detrimental to the collective good. Therefore, the intersection of al-Maṣlaḥ al-Mursalah and mass media must be examined not only as a matter of religious law but also as a means of ensuring that technological progress remains anchored in moral responsibility and the higher objectives of Sharī‘ah.