NU Book TN and Maqshaduna PPI Tunisia Discuss Solutions to Global Problems
The modern world is facing a great paradox. On one hand, technological progress is developing rapidly, yet on the other, humanity is confronting increasingly complex crises. Economic inequality, environmental damage, moral crises, and the erosion of human values have become unavoidable phenomena. A fundamental question arises: where is human civilisation heading?
This concern formed the backdrop for the International Scientific Webinar titled ‘Our World Between the Present and the Future: Maqashid Syariah as a Strategy for Formulating Solutions and Facing Modern Crises’, organised by NU Book TN in collaboration with Maqshaduna. The event was held on 13 July 2026, bringing together two prominent scholars from Tunisia and Indonesia to discuss the relevance of Maqashid Syariah in addressing the global challenges of the 21st century.
The webinar featured Prof. Hichem Grissa, an expert in Maqashid Syariah and former Rector of Ez-Zitouna University in Tunisia, and Prof. Abdul Mustaqim, Professor of Qur’anic Studies and Tafsir at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. Both agreed that the root of various modern crises is not merely a matter of economics, politics, or technology, but rather a crisis in how humanity views life itself.
In his presentation, Prof. Hichem Grissa emphasised that Maqashid Syariah possesses a dynamic and adaptive character suited to changing times. He explained that the primary objective of Sharia is to safeguard human welfare, and therefore the maqashidi approach must be continuously developed to address new problems unimaginable to previous generations. According to him, the greatest secret behind Maqashid Syariah lies in its ability to reveal the divine wisdom hidden behind every Islamic legal provision. Sharia is not merely a collection of commands and prohibitions, but a system aimed at preserving human dignity, realising justice, and bringing benefit to life. ‘The secret of Maqashid Syariah lies not in the legal text alone, but in the wisdom underlying it. When one understands the purpose of Sharia, they do not only see what is commanded and forbidden, but also understand why Allah established it for the benefit of humanity and the order of life,’ he stated.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. KH. Abdul Mustaqim argued that Maqashid Syariah must be understood as the spirit that animates ijtihad and directs Islamic law to remain relevant to the times. He noted that the crises facing the modern world stem not only from economic, political, or technological issues, but also from a mindset trapped in stagnation and a loss of orientation towards the common good. ‘When law loses its purpose, it becomes a burden. Maqashid Syariah is present to restore law to its spirit: bringing benefit, preventing harm, and preserving human dignity,’ he asserted.
The discussion became even more engaging as the speakers connected Maqashid Syariah with various contemporary issues, ranging from the environmental crisis and artificial intelligence to global economic inequality and ethical challenges in the digital era. From this perspective, Maqashid Syariah is not viewed as a concept limited to the religious sphere, but as a universal paradigm that offers direction for sustainable human development.
The webinar served as a space for reflection that solutions to the world’s problems cannot rely solely on technological innovation or economic policy. A new paradigm is needed, one that places humanity, nature, and human values as an interconnected whole. It is here that Maqashid Syariah acts as a bridge between tradition and the future, between revelation and reality, and between progress and the common good.