✦ Importance and Principles of Ijtihad in Islam
Translated from the writings of Maulana Zahid al-Rashidi
Islam is a timeless and eternal religion that possesses the ability to guide mankind until the Day of Judgment. Allah ﷻ declares:
"إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ"
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran: 19)
One of the greatest features of this religion is its comprehensiveness and its capability to address issues of every era. Whether in private or public life, among rulers or subjects, in a palace or a pauper's hut — Islam offers guidance in every sphere of life.
A question arises: With the progression and evolution of human society over time, what will be the system of guidance for mankind?
And since the chain of divine revelation has come to an end, how will humans remain connected to divine teachings until the end of time?
The Western view posits that human society has now matured and no longer needs revelation. However, Muslims do not accept this premise, as their belief is that divine guidance remains essential for human society at every stage.
Hence, a continued connection with divine revelation is necessary for humanity’s guidance.
Since the Qur’an and Sunnah do not detail every future issue explicitly, Islam has allowed the use of reason and Ijtihad to resolve new challenges, provided such solutions are within the framework of Qur’anic and Prophetic principles.
Linguistic Meaning: To exert one's full effort in accomplishing a task.
(Al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam: 4/169)
Shari'ah Definition:
The attempt to derive a Shari‘ah ruling in matters where no explicit verdict exists in the Qur’an or Sunnah.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself exercised Ijtihad in matters where no revelation had yet been received. The Sahabah (Companions) also adopted principles of Ijtihad. For example:
✔ When a clear ruling exists in the Qur’an or Sunnah, there is no room for Ijtihad.
✔ Past rulings of qualified Mujtahids should be followed.
✔ In the absence of previous rulings, analogical reasoning (Qiyas) should be used to derive rulings for similar issues.
During the era of the Tabi‘in, the principles and regulations of Ijtihad were further refined and structured.
Great jurists such as:
…developed systematic frameworks for Ijtihad, upon which the major Islamic schools of jurisprudence (Madhahib) were founded.
A Mujtahid must possess:
① Deep knowledge of the Qur’an
② Comprehensive understanding of the Sunnah
③ Mastery of the Arabic language
④ Familiarity with prior Ijtihad-based rulings
⑤ Capability to resolve issues within the limits of Qur’anic and Prophetic principles
The goal of Ijtihad is not to restrict the rulings of the Lawgiver (Shāri‘) but rather to extend the applicability of the texts to new and emerging situations.
Example:
A Hadith states that expiation (kaffarah) is due upon engaging in intercourse while fasting
(Bukhari, Bab Idha Jama‘a fi Ramadhan, Hadith No. 1800)
Through Ijtihad, jurists expanded this ruling to include other actions that invalidate the fast, such as eating and drinking, under the same legal consequence.
Ijtihad is a vital mechanism in Islamic jurisprudence, ensuring that divine guidance remains relevant and applicable across all ages. By upholding the foundational sources — the Qur’an and Sunnah — and applying structured reasoning, Ijtihad enables the Ummah to address contemporary challenges without deviating from the eternal path of Islam.
Translated from the writings of Maulana Zahid al-Rashidi❖ Islam: A Timeless Religion
Islam is a timeless and eternal religion that possesses the ability to guide mankind until the Day of Judgment. Allah ﷻ declares:
"إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ"
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran: 19)
One of the greatest features of this religion is its comprehensiveness and its capability to address issues of every era. Whether in private or public life, among rulers or subjects, in a palace or a pauper's hut — Islam offers guidance in every sphere of life.
❖ Questions About Eternal Guidance
A question arises: With the progression and evolution of human society over time, what will be the system of guidance for mankind?
And since the chain of divine revelation has come to an end, how will humans remain connected to divine teachings until the end of time?
❖ Western View vs Islamic Perspective
The Western view posits that human society has now matured and no longer needs revelation. However, Muslims do not accept this premise, as their belief is that divine guidance remains essential for human society at every stage.
Hence, a continued connection with divine revelation is necessary for humanity’s guidance.
❖ Ijtihad: Addressing New Challenges
Since the Qur’an and Sunnah do not detail every future issue explicitly, Islam has allowed the use of reason and Ijtihad to resolve new challenges, provided such solutions are within the framework of Qur’anic and Prophetic principles.
❖ Definition of Ijtihad
Linguistic Meaning: To exert one's full effort in accomplishing a task.(Al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam: 4/169)
Shari'ah Definition:The attempt to derive a Shari‘ah ruling in matters where no explicit verdict exists in the Qur’an or Sunnah.
❖ Methodology of Ijtihad
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself exercised Ijtihad in matters where no revelation had yet been received. The Sahabah (Companions) also adopted principles of Ijtihad. For example:
① Method of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA):
- First searched for a ruling in the Qur’an.
- If not found, referred to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
- If still unresolved, consulted the Companions and made a collective decision.
② Method of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA):
- If the Qur’an and Sunnah were silent, he followed the precedents set by Abu Bakr (RA).
- If no precedent was available, he exercised his own Ijtihad and consulted other righteous individuals.
③ Saying of Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (RA):
- If no ruling was found in the Qur’an and Sunnah, he examined the decisions of righteous predecessors.
- If those were silent, he would then use his own judgment (Ijtihad).
❖ Principles of Ijtihad
✔ When a clear ruling exists in the Qur’an or Sunnah, there is no room for Ijtihad.
✔ Past rulings of qualified Mujtahids should be followed.
✔ In the absence of previous rulings, analogical reasoning (Qiyas) should be used to derive rulings for similar issues.
❖ Role of the Tabi‘in and Classical Mujtahids
During the era of the Tabi‘in, the principles and regulations of Ijtihad were further refined and structured.
Great jurists such as:
- Imam Abu Hanifah (RA)
- Imam Malik (RA)
- Imam al-Shafi‘i (RA)
- Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA)
…developed systematic frameworks for Ijtihad, upon which the major Islamic schools of jurisprudence (Madhahib) were founded.
❖ Conditions for a Mujtahid
A Mujtahid must possess:
① Deep knowledge of the Qur’an
② Comprehensive understanding of the Sunnah
③ Mastery of the Arabic language
④ Familiarity with prior Ijtihad-based rulings
⑤ Capability to resolve issues within the limits of Qur’anic and Prophetic principles
❖ Purpose of Ijtihad
The goal of Ijtihad is not to restrict the rulings of the Lawgiver (Shāri‘) but rather to extend the applicability of the texts to new and emerging situations.
Example:A Hadith states that expiation (kaffarah) is due upon engaging in intercourse while fasting
(Bukhari, Bab Idha Jama‘a fi Ramadhan, Hadith No. 1800)
Through Ijtihad, jurists expanded this ruling to include other actions that invalidate the fast, such as eating and drinking, under the same legal consequence.
❖ Conclusion
Ijtihad is a vital mechanism in Islamic jurisprudence, ensuring that divine guidance remains relevant and applicable across all ages. By upholding the foundational sources — the Qur’an and Sunnah — and applying structured reasoning, Ijtihad enables the Ummah to address contemporary challenges without deviating from the eternal path of Islam.
