KLANG - Malaysia adopts the principles of the Maqasid Al-Shariah - an Islamic concept based on goals and purposes - in its Federal administration, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The Prime Minister said this approach had helped to preserve and empower Islam and, at the same time, protect and respect the human rights of both Muslims and non-Muslims.
He said the national transformation policy, through the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and the Economic Transformation Programme (RTP), is centred on the Maqasid Al-Shariah.
"Maintaining accounts, protecting respect and origins and preserving the assets through a strong economy are principles of the Maqasid Al-Shariah," he said.
He added that in respecting the human rights of Malaysians, the Government had abolished the Internal Security Act.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a gathering in honour of the late Nik Mohamed Mohyideen Wan Musa at the Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah here yesterday.
Nik Mohamed Mohyideen was the first head of the college, which was previously known as Kolej Islam Malaya.
The concept of Maqasid Al-Shariah in Islamic education and intellectual development was believed to have been first spread in the 12th century by Islamic scholar Al-Ghazali, although some say it could be traced back to the administration of the second caliph, Umar al-Khattab.
In modern times, it was believed to have gained widespread acceptance since the mid-1900s, for the preservation of the family system, freedom of belief, orderliness, natural disposition, civility, human rights, freedom and equality as objectives of Islamic law.
Najib said some Muslims had forgotten the aims of Islamic law. He said they had also forgotten the era of Islamic civilisation and the past where Muslims freely shared their knowledge with others.
"Muslims were among the first to contribute to the development of science and technology.
"Now, what is left in Andalusia are just heritage buildings," he said, referring to the Spanish autonomous region which was under Muslim rule from 711 to 1492.
"We do not see the actual cause and preachings of Muslims (there) anymore," added Najib.
He regretted that some Muslims now only use Islam to promote their political cause, adding that it would be damaging to Islam if the faith and the knowledge it had developed is just pushed aside.
Najib, in his capacity as Umno president, donated RM200,000 (S$79,000) from the party to upgrade the library facilities at the college.