Measuring Deprivation from Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah Dimensionsin OIC Countries: Ranking and Policy Focus(1)

While economists have established the link between values and economy, it has been ignored in popular measures of socio-economic development. The paper proposes a complementary values-based index to existing value-neutral indices on socio-economic development and formulates a 3-stage policy to reduce deprivation from maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (the objectives of Islamic law) dimensions in OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries by setting up absolute and relative policy targets. It explores the policy focus for maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (MS) dimensions by ranking OIC countries using recent World Values Survey (WVS wave 6). The paper contributes by extending the frontiers of knowledge in multiple ways. It is the first to propose the use of an MS index from a policy perspective. It outlines selection criteria for choosing indicators within Sharīʿah perspective. It constructs a Maqāṣid alSharīʿah Deprivation Perception Index (MSDPI), using the Alkire-Foster dual-cut-off counting methodology, which is easily replicable using data from a single publicly available authentic source. The results show not only the ranking of countries but also points out the dimensions in which improvements are required for comprehensive development by setting absolute and relative targets for policy intervention.