Regulating the Permissible: The Role of Taqyid al-Mubah in Malaysian Governance and Public Welfare

This study examines the concept and application of Taqyid al-Mubah as a governance mechanism within the Malaysian administrative and legal system. Taqyid al-Mubah, defined as the restriction of originally permissible actions through legitimate authority, serves as an essential instrument for balancing individual freedoms with the collective welfare of society. Drawing on a qualitative research design, the study analyzes classical Islamic legal sources together with contemporary statutes, policy documents, and administrative practices to assess how this principle operates within modern governance structures. Findings demonstrate that Taqyid al-Mubah has long played a significant role in Islamic governance by preventing harm, ensuring justice, and maintaining social stability. In Malaysia, its relevance is evident across various regulatory domains, including price control mechanisms, national security policies, integrity and anti-corruption frameworks, and public health measures such as the Movement Control Order (MCO) during the COVID-19 pandemic. These interventions illustrate how the State restricts certain permissible activities in a contextual, proportional, and time-bound manner to safeguard public welfare (maslahah ‘ammah) and uphold the objectives of Shariah (Maqasid al-Shariah). The study argues that Malaysia’s adoption of Taqyid al-Mubah reflects an integration of classical Islamic jurisprudence with contemporary governance needs, producing a flexible yet principled framework for regulating human conduct. By aligning policies with the ethical foundations of siyasah shar‘iyyah, Malaysia demonstrates that strong, transparent, and accountable institutions are essential for sustaining justice, social harmony, and responsible public administration. The paper concludes that Taqyid al-Mubah remains a valuable tool for modern policy implementation and recommends strengthening its application through continuous policy evaluation, enhanced public awareness, and deeper incorporation of Maqasid Shariah into national governance frameworks.

Taqyid al-Mubah, Governance; Justice

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