Defining public interest for public policy making from Maqasid Al-Shariah perspective

This thesis discusses how the teachings of Islam can contribute to the definition of the concept of public interest in the domain of public policy making from the perspective of the objectives and intents of Islamic legislation (known as "Maqasid Al-Shariah"). The thesis presents the public policy making process and highlights the criticality of the concept of public interest to each stage of the process. Also, it explains how public policy making is practiced today and what challenges face the application of the concept of public interest. In addition, it investigates the definitions of public interest in the Western literature based on eight different approaches. Then, it explores the Islamic literature in general and Maqasid Al-Shariah in particular in order to understand the definition of equivalent Arabic term to public interest, which is "Maslahah". The research found that the Maqasid Al-Shariah, in its wider sense, can be used as a basis for ensuring that public policy is being made in a way that secures the interest of the public.