The Act of Carrying Sharp Weapons under Criminal Law: A Maqasid al-Syari’ah Perspective

This study analyses the act of carrying sharp weapons under criminal law from the perspective of Maqāṣid al-Syarī’ah. The study aims to examine the reality of carrying sharp weapons in Makassar City, the applicable criminal law provisions, and the Maqāṣid al-Syarī’ah perspective on such acts. This study is qualitative field research employing phenomenological and normative theological approaches. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and document study, and subsequently analysed through the stages of data collection, data reduction, and data presentation. The findings indicate that bows and badik are the sharp weapons most commonly carried by the people of Makassar City for the purposes of self-defence and as instruments for committing criminal acts. The relevant provisions are stipulated in Article 307 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, with exceptions for sharp weapons used for occupational purposes and cultural needs. From the perspective of Maqāṣid al-Syarī’ah, carrying sharp weapons with the motive of self-defence is founded upon individual maslahah, whereas the legal prohibition of such acts is founded upon collective maslahah. The novelty of this study lies in integrating the analysis of criminal law provisions concerning the offence of carrying sharp weapons with the perspective of Primary Maslahah within a single analytical framework through a case study in Makassar. The implication of this study is that the criminalisation of carrying sharp weapons is regarded as a legitimate form of ta'zir that is consistent with the principles of Maqāṣid al-Syarī’ah, while also providing an academic reference for the development of criminal law and Islamic law studies that integrate criminal law and the Primary Maslahah perspective in analysing the offence of carrying sharp weapons.