Falah, Maslahah, and Distributive Justice in Islamic Economic Philosophy

Abstract

Islamic economics has expanded institutionally, yet its development is still frequently assessed through formal Sharia compliance, contract design, and market growth, leaving the philosophical relationship between economic motivation and the objectives of Sharia insufficiently integrated. This article aims to formulate a coherent framework linking the moral orientation of Muslim economic agents with maqasid-based legal and institutional objectives. Using a qualitative integrative library review, the study synthesizes recent scholarship on Homo Islamicus, maqasid al-shariah, Islamic moral economy, values-based entrepreneurship, multidimensional welfare, sustainable finance, and Sharia institutional performance. The analysis is organized across ontological, epistemological, and axiological-teleological dimensions. The findings show that economic motivation in Islam is structured by tawhid, amanah, khilafah, justice, and social responsibility; profit remains legitimate but functions as a means rather than an autonomous end. At the level of objectives, falah and maslahah require distributive justice, protection of essential human interests, and socio-ecological responsibility. The study concludes that Sharia economic institutions should be evaluated not only by contractual compliance but also by measurable maqasid-oriented outcomes, thereby repositioning Islamic economics as an ethical and civilizational project.