The rule of varying reward and punishment according to varying benefits and harms A study of purposes

Abstract

This paper aims to study the rule of: disparity of reward and punishment is due to disparity of interests (Masalih) and harms (Mafasid) in Islamic Sharia, which is an important rule that the reward increase is associated with an increased interest (Maslaha), and the sin increase is associated with an increased harm (Mafsada) which is the consequences of the act. Thus, the interest (Maslaha) and harm (Mafsada) are two essential criteria for determine the degree of reward and punishment, this is the majority and the correct rule,  although in some cases there are exceptions, but it does not invalidate the majority rule, one of those exceptions: the reward is sometimes associated with hardship, but that's rare and it does not oppose the rule because the usual hardship increasing where achieving extra interest (Maslaha), which is to get away from the self's desires, and get closer to sincerity, also, one of those exceptions: that the reward increase depending on the legal ruling (Hukm Shar'ii), the obligatory better than the recommended act, albeit they were equally in the interest (Maslaha), however, the act may be a devotional act we don't know its reward like fasting,  but all this is not invalidate the majority rule.