Maqashid al-Shariah and Economic Inequality: Why Has the Principle of Islamic Justice Not Yet Produced Equitable Distribution?

Abstract

Economic inequality is one of the fundamental challenges in contemporary development, involving not only differences in income but also disparities in asset ownership, access to capital, economic opportunities, education, and productive resources. From an Islamic perspective, economic justice constitutes an important dimension of the objectives of Shariah (maqashid al-shariah), which places human welfare and maslahah as central orientations of economic activity. Islam also provides various instruments for wealth redistribution, including zakat, waqf, infaq, and sadaqah, as well as prohibitions against riba and exploitation and the promotion of social responsibility. However, the development of Islamic economic and financial institutions has not necessarily been accompanied by a more equitable distribution of wealth. This study aims to critically analyze the gap between maqashid al-shariah and the reality of economic inequality and to identify the factors that prevent the principles of Islamic justice from producing more equitable distribution. The study employs a critical literature review using a qualitative descriptive-analytical approach. The literature is analyzed thematically through the perspectives of economic justice, maslahah, wealth distribution, profitability, financial inclusion, zakat, waqf, and Islamic finance. The findings indicate that the main problem does not lie in the weakness of Islamic principles, but rather in the reduction of maqashid al-shariah to formal compliance and the dominance of commercial orientation in certain Islamic economic practices. Therefore, a shift from sharia compliance toward sharia impact is necessary, positioning maqashid al-shariah as an evaluative framework for welfare, equity, economic empowerment, and social justice.