Kim Beng Phar, Islamic Statehood and Maqasid al-Shariah in Malaysia. A Zero-Sum Game?

Abstract

There has been an increasing interest in and a growing literature on the concept of maqasid al-shari'ah. The literature has leaned towards theoretical rather than empirical studies, and therefore empirical studies on the application of maqasid al-shari'ah as a guiding principle for legal and/or political government are highly welcomed. In his book Islamic Statehood and Maqasid al-Shariah in Malaysia: A Zero-Sum Game? Kim Beng Phar sets out to show that as far as the case of Malaysia is concerned, such application is still far ahead.