Maqasid al-Shari'ah, or the higher goals and objectives of Islamic law, is an important and yet somewhat neglected theme of the Shari'ah. Generally the Shari'ah is predicated on the benefits of the individual and that of the community, and its laws are designed so as to protect these benefits and facilitate improvement and perfection of the conditions of human life on earth. This easy to read guide gives a bird's eye view of the subject, simplifying its main principles to help readers understand the subject of maqasid al-shari'ah and how it explains the ‘wisdoms behind rulings.