Intentional Dimensions of the Concept of Citizenship

Abstract

The concept of citizenship is one of the central notions in contemporary political and social thought. It has also become a subject of interest in Islamic legal studies due to the issues it raises concerning identity, belonging, rights and duties. From the perspective of the objectives of Islamic law (Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah), citizenship is not merely regarded as a legal bond between the individual and the state. Rather, it is understood as a framework that serves to realise a set of comprehensive objectives that the Sharī‘ah was revealed to protect — foremost among them the protection of religion, life, intellect, wealth, and lineage — in addition to the objectives of justice, human dignity, and cooperation in achieving public interest.