Maqasidization

 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (17-SDGs)

By DR SHAYA’A OTHMAN

Senior Academic Fellow

International Institute of Islamic Thought [IIIT]

East and South East Asia, Malaysia

1 Introduction:

 Promise and Paradox of the SDGs

In 2015, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — 17 goals with 169 targets designed to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and promote prosperity by 2030. The SDGs were hailed as humanity’s most ambitious agenda for global development.

Yet, a decade later, progress has been uneven. Poverty remains entrenched, inequality persists, and climate change accelerates. Reports from the UN (2023) warn that many targets are “off track” or even regressing. The paradox is clear: despite international consensus and massive investment, the SDGs struggle to achieve their aims.

The problem lies in structure and philosophy. The SDGs are fragmented, technocratic, and secular. They lack a unifying moral framework. In contrast, Maqasid al-Shariah offers a structured, timeless, and ethical compass. Maqasidization of the SDGs means re-aligning them under five higher objectives: preservation of religion/values, life, intellect, progeny, and wealth.

The 2023 UN SDG Report shows alarming setbacks, with most goals off track. Table .1 highlights progress made since 2015 and identifies key gaps to 2030. This overview underscores the urgency of adopting Maqasidic leadership principles to realign global development with justice, welfare, and sustainability.

Overall midpoint assessment (global, 2023), indicates that the assessable SDG targets, ~15% are on track, ~48% show moderate/severe deviations, and ~37% show no progress or regression — hence the UN’s call for a 'Rescue Plan for People and Planet'.

From a Maqasid al-Shariah perspective, the SDGs' off-track status highlights the urgency of embedding ethical leadership principles—justice, consultation (shura), social welfare, and stewardship of resources—into global governance. Progress cannot be measured by economic indicators alone, but by the protection of human dignity, preservation of life, and equitable access to education, health, and livelihoods. A Maqasidic model of leadership reorients SDG implementation from fragmented targets to holistic well-being, thereby closing gaps between policy commitments and lived realities.