W imię dobra wspólnego. Maslaha w muzułmańskim prawie i polityce

The article presents the concept of maslaha, i.e. public good, as well as its historical evolution and scope of application in law and politics. Throughout the centuries the scope and definition of maslaha has been changing, thus it became both a tool used in the Islamic law, Shariah, as well as a philosophical concept. Due to its essence – its reference to the public good – it was now and again used in politics to legitimise the deeds of the rulers, sometimes flavoured with religion, sometimes based on national reasoning. All these pieces are presented in the following article.